Lead Agriculture Specialist/Economist at World Bank Group

• The Lead Agriculture Specialist/Economist will be a key member of the Agriculture and Food Leadership Team in AFE, reporting to the Practice Manager (SAEA2). Specifically, s/he will lead a team to deliver impactful projects and strategic advisory and analytical tasks in Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda, while working closely with the Practice Manager, Regional Program Director, Division Director and Country Managers. The specific responsibilities will include:
• Provide technical and thought leadership with clear vision, coherent strategy, and current knowledge to position the agriculture food systems in country programs, including designing innovative solutions to create jobs in agriculture value chains in close collaboration with IFC and MIGA.
• Lead the design, preparation and supervision of complex operation projects as Task Team Leader (TTL), ensuring high-quality outputs, and leveraging instruments such as DPLs, IPFs, P4Rs, and trust funds.
• Lead strategic and high-priority policy reforms dialogue with clients, manage strategic knowledge products, and position key sector reforms in development policy lending programs.
• Assume an active role in the CMU to ensure adequate and appropriate integration of relevant aspects of the agriculture and rural development agenda in core Bank products, including country partnership frameworks, strategic country diagnostics, country economic memoranda, and CCDRs.
• Serve as an active member of the AFE Planet team and contribute to the integration of Planet solutions into coherent programs, including on water, sustainable land management, and emission reductions, while working closely with the Planet leadership team, CMUs, and the clients.
• Actively engage with stakeholders and development partners and represent the Agriculture and Food team at relevant events and speaking engagements to identify opportunities for partnerships to improve program delivery.
• Serve as focal point for Agriculture and Food in Kenya CMU countries through close client engagement, liaison with the CMU, and provide quality assurance of the portfolio,
• Provide mentoring, advice and support to Agriculture and Food staff in the Kenya CMU, including TTLs of demanding operations.

• Candidates must demonstrate proven professional excellence, outstanding oral and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to convert strategic thinking into practical solutions. The following specific criteria will also apply:
• A master's degree in agricultural and resource economics, agribusiness, agriculture or closely related discipline.
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, agribusiness, and other disciplines related to food systems, including experience in two regions, or one region and corporate assignment.
• Recognized by peers and/or managers for cutting edge knowledge, the ability to identify problems and translate knowledge into innovative and concrete solutions, while maintaining strong client focus.
• Demonstrated intellectual leadership in the sector, based on strong technical capabilities and analytical credentials, 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.
• Ability to take principled and balanced positions on complex issues and to communicate and defend them orally and in writing to senior Bank management and senior government officials.
• Effective verbal, analytical and written communication skills in English, 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 handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Self-motivated with ability to work under pressure and challenging conditions while retaining perspective and poise, and willingness to travel extensively.

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