Senior Agriculture Specialist

The Senior Agriculture Specialist/Economist will support the delivery of the unit's work program in Mozambique by co-leading project design, preparation, and supervision, providing technical guidance, and engaging with stakeholders to promote agriculture and rural development. The role involves working closely with the Mozambique CMU, Practice Manager, and Country Team to implement impactful projects and strategic advisory tasks.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead the design, preparation, and supervision of operation projects as Task Team Leader (TTL) or core team member, leveraging appropriate instruments and ensuring high-quality in all stages of the project cycle.
• Provide technical guidance in designing innovative solutions to create jobs in agriculture value chains in close collaboration with IFC and MIGA, consistent with the AgriConnect initiative.
• Lead or contribute as a core team member in resource mobilization and delivery of advisory and analytical activities ensuring quality in all stages.
• Co-lead in the Agri-Connect Initiative, including development of the compact and consultations with stakeholders.
• Assume an active role in the Mozambique CMU to integrate agriculture and rural development agenda in core Bank products.
• Support integration of agriculture interventions with other programs such as water, sustainable land management, transport, urban, social protection, digital and energy.
• Engage with clients, stakeholders, and development partners and represent the Agriculture and Food team at relevant events and speaking engagements.
• Respond to ad-hoc information requests including briefings to management and external parties on agriculture sector and World Bank support.
• Provide mentoring, advice and support to the task team supporting the Agriculture and Food program.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in agricultural and resource economics, agribusiness, agriculture or closely related discipline.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, agribusiness, and other disciplines related to food systems.
• Recognized by peers and/or managers for the ability to identify problems and translate knowledge into innovative and concrete solutions, while maintaining strong client focus.
• Strong technical and analytical skills and the capacity to lead discussions on policy reforms at high levels.
• In-depth knowledge of the issues faced by smallholders in agricultural value chains and the potential of agriculture value chains to address core development objectives in the AFE region, including jobs.
• Effective verbal, analytical and written communication skills in English and Portuguese, and a demonstrated ability to produce high-quality documents and analytical reports.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and team skills with ability to think innovatively and strategically to find balanced, pragmatic and implementable solutions.
• High degree of ethics, tact, diplomacy, political judgement, negotiating skills and sensitivity in working in a multi-cultural setting.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work under pressure and challenging conditions, and willingness to travel extensively.

Skills

• Agricultural Economics
• Agribusiness
• Food Systems
• Policy Reform Leadership
• Agriculture Value Chains
• Smallholder Agriculture
• Technical Guidance
• Analytical Reporting
• Project Design
• Project Supervision
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Strategic Advisory
• Written Communication
• Verbal Communication
• Problem Solving
• Negotiation Skills
• Multicultural Sensitivity
• Client Focus
• Ethics and Diplomacy

Languages

English, Portuguese