Senior Agriculture Economist

The World Bank Group

317d

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 our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group 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 and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org. Agriculture is an essential pathway to meeting the World Bank Group's (WBG) vision of eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity on a livable planet. Food production must increase by at least 35 percent to meet the needs of the rising global population. 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 (MNA) 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 including climate change, population growth, scarce natural and water resources, distortive policies, competitiveness and job creation including for youth and women, and fragility and conflict. The World Bank's program in MNA 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.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness or in a relevant economic development discipline.
• Eight or more years of direct working experience in areas related to agrifood programs, rural development, and agribusiness. Experience in fragile and conflict settings highly desired.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing/supervising AGF operations.
• Proven evidence of delivering analytical work on critical issues of relevance for transformation of agrifood systems such as: smallholder agriculture, ag/water productivity, agrifood value chains, risk management (including agriculture insurance), repurposing support, role of the state in agriculture, private sector, support services and trade, among others.
• Solid experience in leading policy dialogue, interacting with relevant public, private and civil society stakeholders.
• Proven teamwork skills with the ability to function in a demanding, fast-paced, multi-sectoral and multi-cultural environment; while being diplomatic and sensitive to cultural, political and gender issues.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving with ability to find balanced, pragmatic, and implementable solutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to present complex issues to World Bank management and senior Government representatives, as well as to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to frequently travel domestically and regionally.
• Knowledge of French and/or Arabic strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and supervision of operations managed by SMNAG in the region and projects supporting agriculture and food systems led by other Global Practices.
• Lead analytical products and initiate and maintain productive engagement with the clients and stakeholders on strategic program development and policy reform issues relevant for the transformation of agriculture and food systems in MNA.
• Work with the Program Leaders, AGF Global Practice staff, and other GPs to identify opportunities for addressing agricultural issues in the MNA region as part of the broader World Bank core diagnostic, Country Partnership Frameworks, CCDRs, etc.
• Contribute to business development for the Agriculture GP in the MNA region, by preparing just in time policy notes/presentations, engaging in dialogue with the CMUs, clients, and key stakeholders, identifying areas for engagement through lending or knowledge.
• Provide thought leadership on relevant developments for MNA'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.
• Develop strong client relations and stakeholder partnerships, including with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), on operational matters and policy dialogue.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Master's degree