Senior Agriculture Economist

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. 

Agriculture is an essential pathway to meeting the World Bank Group’s (WBG) twin goals of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030 and promoting shared prosperity. 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 (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 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 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. The AGF team in MNA (SMNAG) is organized under the umbrella of MNA Planet/Sustainable Development that also incorporates water, environment, and social teams. SMNAG consists of 16 staff, (9 of whom are based in Country Offices). 

Duties & Accountabilities:

• The World Bank Group is recruiting a Senior Agriculture Economist based in Cairo, Egypt. The Senior Agriculture Economist will report to the SMNAG Practice Manager who is based at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C, and support the delivery of the work program, assurance of quality, interaction with internal and external clients and partners, including the government, private sector, civil society, and development partners. The primary responsibility of the Senior Agriculture Economist will be to provide technical, operational, and strategic leadership for the development and implementation of the Agriculture and Food GP’s work program in the region. In doing so, s/he will work closely within the SMNAG team and with the respective Country Management Teams and the Planet Program Leaders.
• Though the position is based in Cairo, Egypt, it is expected that the Senior Agricultural Economist maybe involved in other countries in the MNA region based on business needs and agreed work plan. Specific responsibilities include, but not limited to, the following:
• Lead/co-lead preparation and supervision of operations managed by SMNAG and projects supporting agriculture and food systems led by other GPs. Ensure that projects and contributions are delivered at high levels of quality and in a timely manner.Lead, or contribute as core team member to, analytical products and initiate and maintain productive engagement with the clients and stakeholders (including multilateral and bilateral donors) on strategic program development and policy reform issues relevant for the transformation of agriculture and food systems and rural economies in MNA.Work with the Program Leaders, staff of the AGF GP, 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, country policy dialogues, CCDRs, investment operations, budget support operations, and other multi-sectoral projects.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.Lead or contribute to policy dialogue on agricultural and rural development issues and interactions with the client, development and other 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 SMNAG’s work program.Develop strong client relations and stakeholder partnerships, including with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), on operational matters and policy dialogue.

Selection Criteria

The Senior Agriculture Economist is expected to have advanced knowledge in the agriculture sector and its investments/policies. In addition to meeting the Bank-wide requirements for Grade GG Level position, it is expected that the successful candidate will meet the following selection criteria:

• Master’s or PhD in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Agribusiness or in a relevant economic development discipline.
• At least eight years of relevant working experience in areas related to agriculture economics, rural development, and agribusiness.
• Demonstrated solid experience in managing complex projects, with demonstrated high quality results.
• Strong analytical skills and solid experience in leading policy dialogue on critical issues of relevance for transformation of agricultural and food systems and rural economies.
• Understanding of agriculture policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations and experience in and ability to support findings/policy recommendations with relevant technical evidence.
• Proven team skills with the ability to function in a demanding, fast-paced, multi-sectoral and multi-cultural environment.
• Commitment to teamwork and ability to interact effectively and collegially with peers at all levels and from diverse background.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and team skills with ability to find balanced, pragmatic, and implementable solutions.
• Ability to work across various subject areas and multi-disciplinary teams; while being diplomatic and sensitive to cultural, political and gender issues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, 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 Arabic and French would be an additional plus.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=30205&site=1