Senior Agribusiness Specialist

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help solve the world’s greatest development and sustainability challenges. Established in 1944, the World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects, promoting transformative policies, and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org Agribusiness is an essential pathway to create jobs and achieve the World Bank Group’s target of doubling agri-finance and agribusiness investments to $9 billion annually by 2030, while pursuing the twin goals of eliminating extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. Additionally, the World Bank Group’s AgriConnect initiative is a flagship program designed to accelerate the transformation of agri-food systems. AgriConnect aims to create an interconnected ecosystem that unlocks innovation, investment, and sustainable growth across priority value chains, supporting the shift from traditional agriculture to modern agribusiness. Food production must increase by at least 35 percent to meet the needs of the rising global population. Thus, ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity cannot be achieved without more and better investment in agriculture, food security, and nutrition. Meeting today’s challenges on the food and agriculture agenda will require major strides in agricultural innovation and climate smart agriculture, efficiency in food production and distribution systems, promoting environmentally and socially sustainable production practices, strengthening agricultural policy and institutions, supporting agribusiness value chains, and joint private- and public- sector action. In Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) Region, the agriculture and food (AGF) sector remains a large provider of jobs, an important contributor to the economy and to food security, and a substantial contributor to exports. The sector faces important immediate challenges though, ranging from the combination of climate change, population growth and scarce natural resources, to competitiveness and job creation including for youth and women. The World Bank’s program in MENAAP supports the transformation of the agriculture and food sector through key policy reforms, private sector-led agricultural commercialization and modernization, improving the quality of jobs in the agri-food sector, and fostering the adoption of climate smart and digital agriculture development. The AGF team in MENAAP (SMAPA) is organized under the umbrella of MENAAP Planet Vertical that also incorporates the water, environment, and ESF teams. The SMAPA Unit seeks to engage a dynamic Senior Agribusiness Specialist to support on-going efforts in promoting agribusiness development and jobs in food systems across MENAAP AGF investments, analytical work and policy dialogue.

Requirements

At least 8 years of combined work experience in both agribusiness and agriculture supply chain issues (input markets, on-farm production, etc.) for a candidate with a PhD in Economics, Agricultural Economics or related discipline; or 12 years combined work experience for a candidate with Masters in these same disciplines
Demonstrated experience with: (1) knowledge generation and/or knowledge management; (2) policy dialogue; and (3) advising or working directly with the private sector in agribusiness
Broad knowledge of both private sector-led agribusiness development and agriculture value chain issues. S/He should be regarded as a core thinker and implementer in the agribusiness space
Understanding of agriculture policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations and experience in and ability to support findings/policy recommendations with relevant technical evidence.
Demonstrated experience with cross sector collaboration in both operations and knowledge management
Ability to maintain client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and to provide evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge
Excellent interpersonal and team skills, the ability to work well with clients, donors, staff and colleagues from other units. Ability to express issues clearly and diplomatically, with a view to achieving a shared solution in cases of dispute
Strong operational knowledge of the Bank’s project cycle, from preparation to completion, in investment operations, financial intermediary loans, policy based lending or analytical and advisory services; knowledge of IFC advisory services would be a plus
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Ability to frequently travel as per business needs

Nice To Haves

strong spoken and reading language skills in French and/or Arabic would be a plus

Responsibilities

Lead/co-lead the preparation and supervision of operations managed by SMAPA and projects supporting agriculture and food systems led by other GPs, or agribusiness engagements led by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). Ensure that projects and contributions are delivered at high levels of quality and in a timely manner. This will require a detailed understanding of World Bank Group project instruments, delivery mechanisms within the MENAAP region and across regions as well as innovations being developed by others within the broader development community.
Lead or contribute as a core team member to analytical products and initiate and maintain productive engagement with clients and stakeholders (including multilateral and bilateral donors) on strategic program development and policy reform issues relevant to agribusiness development in the MENAAP region. This will require technical expertise in agribusiness development, value chain analysis, and market systems.
Develop and implement strategies to catalyze private investment in priority value chains, including AgSME support, and AgFinance mechanisms.
Work with staff of the AGF GP, other GPs, IFC and MIGA to identify opportunities for addressing agribusiness issues in the MENAAP region as part of broader World Bank Group core diagnostics, Country Partnership Frameworks, country policy dialogues, CCDRs, CPSDs, investment operations, budget support operations, and other multi-sectoral products.
Provide thought leadership on relevant developments for the MENAAP’s agri-food sector and effectively communicate them to internal and external audiences. Represent the World Bank in fora involving the community of development partners.
Lead or contribute to policy dialogue on agricultural and rural development issues and interactions with the client, development and other partners. Translate broad policy objectives into concrete development proposals.
Identify and pursue opportunities for resource mobilization, including trust funds and co-financing with bilateral and multilateral partners.
Remain current with relevant major pieces of analytical work in the profession. Participate in strategic analytical work in the region, and work with teams engaged in analytical work relevant to SMAPA’s work program.
Develop strong client relations and stakeholder partnerships, including with IFC, and MIGA on operational matters and policy dialogue.
Co-lead efforts in the rollout of the AgriConnect initiative in the MENAAP Region.

Benefits

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

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