Agriculture Specialist
World Bank Group
Job location
Luanda
Employment status
Full–time
Job details
Job Title: Agriculture Specialist
Join the World Bank Group in a dynamic role that combines technical expertise with strategic thinking to drive agricultural development in Angola.
About the Role
The Agriculture Specialist will provide technical and strategic support for the development and implementation of the Agriculture Global Practice's work program in Angola. This includes leading activities, serving as an advisor to colleagues, and working with the Sector Leader and staff to identify opportunities for addressing agricultural issues in Angola.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead activities as core team member, both in agriculture and multi-sectoral operations, assuring quality in all stages of the project cycle.
• Serve as an advisor to colleagues who are themselves Task Team Leaders, providing them with advice and support.
• Work with the Sector Leader and staff of the Agriculture and Food Global Practice and other Global Practices to identify opportunities for addressing agricultural issues in Angola as part of the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework, country policy dialogue, sector investment operations, budget support operations, and other multi-sectoral projects.
• Identify innovative opportunities or ways to address existing needs in the agricultural and food sector, including bringing in experience from other countries.
• Remain current with relevant major pieces of analytical work in the profession. Lead or participate in strategic analytical work in Angola and/or on a sub-regional level, and work with teams engaged in analytical work relevant to the Agriculture and Food Global Practice's work program in Angola.
• Represent the World Bank in fora involving the community of development partners. Provide support, either explicit or implicit, to the work of the development partners in the sector.
• As necessary, represent the World Bank and the Agriculture and Food Global Practice's management at events with sectoral focus that take place in country and in the region.
• Develop strong client relations and partnerships, including with the International Finance Corporation, on operational matters and policy dialogue.
• Work with other Global Practices in representing Angola specific issues in regional and corporate strategies.
• Maintain a high level and quality of engagement and dialogue with key stakeholders, including government, civil society, private sector and research/academic community on strategic and policy issues concerning agriculture and food security in Angola.
Requirements
• Masters, MBA or PhD in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Finance, Agricultural Sciences, or in a relevant discipline.
• At least five years of experience on agricultural development issues.
• Strong technical and analytical skills in the range of issues of relevance to the agriculture and food sector.
• Solid understanding of Angola's governmental institutions and policies.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and team skills with ability to find balanced, pragmatic and implementable solutions also in a multi-disciplinary context.
• High level of energy, ability to work under pressure, and willingness to travel.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Portuguese, including the ability to present complex issues to World Bank management and senior Government representatives, as well as to non-specialist audiences.
• Previous exposure to World Bank operations would be a plus.
• Willingness to travel extensively in country, and in the Africa region, is vital, including to remote rural areas.
Competencies
• Agriculture Specialist: Agriculture Policy, Strategy, and Institutions: Deep understanding of agriculture policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations and linkages of agriculture with other areas of development.
• Integrative skills: demonstrates ability to think and work across WBG, practices and sectors. Integrates divergent viewpoints of multiple external and internal stakeholders into a coherent project/program/strategy. Considers corporate commitments (e.g., MFD, climate, gender) in project approach.
• Policy Dialogue skills: possesses political judgment, diplomatic acumen, and negotiating skills. Builds and sustains key stakeholder relationships with government and other key stakeholders. Guides clients and/or development partners in identifying key operational issues and optional solutions with a demonstrated ability to bring together different perspectives. Leads task teams, participates in formal negotiations, and assists government in establishing priorities.
• Knowledge and Experience in Development arena: demonstrates sound knowledge of World Bank Group's Twin Goals and the complementarities among different World Bank Group member institutions. Demonstrates deep understanding of policy making process and the role of own sector of expertise in that process. Fully understands Bank's development initiatives and policies and practices related to lending and non-lending operations. Guides research efforts and translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies and for discussions with clients and development partners. Anticipates client needs and requests and guides the development/offering of relevant tools to clients.
• Communication and Influencing Skills: demonstrates the ability to influence and persuade others to accept ideas and suggestions (such as counterparts in government, international partner organizations, academia, and Bank colleagues, senior staff and managers). Has ability to communicate and defend, orally and in writing, challenges and positions to colleagues and management.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
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.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
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