Senior Agriculture Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group is a global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. Established in 1944, the organization has grown to include 189 member countries and operates in over 120 offices worldwide. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, focusing on providing financial and technical assistance to help countries address their development challenges. The organization emphasizes collaboration with public and private sector partners to invest in innovative projects that leverage data, research, and technology to tackle urgent global issues.

Job Overview:
The Senior Agriculture Economist position at the World Bank Group in Vienna, Austria, is a pivotal role that involves providing technical, operational, and strategic leadership on food safety within the context of the Agriculture and Food (AGF) unit in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading policy dialogues on food safety and food trade, ensuring high-quality project delivery, and engaging with various stakeholders, including government entities, private sector partners, and civil society organizations. This role requires a deep understanding of the agri-food systems and the ability to communicate complex issues effectively to diverse audiences. The Senior Agriculture Economist will also contribute to the development and implementation of the unit's work program, focusing on enhancing agricultural competitiveness, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and fostering economic inclusion in the ECA region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Agriculture Economist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing thought leadership on food safety and food trade-related aspects in the ECA region, effectively communicating insights to country teams and stakeholders.
• Leading policy dialogues on food safety and food trade, engaging with clients and development partners, and alerting management to critical issues.
• Acting as Task Team Leader for operations managed by the AGF unit, ensuring high-quality project delivery and timely contributions.
• Contributing to analytical products and maintaining productive engagement with clients and stakeholders on strategic program development and policy reforms.
• Collaborating with various World Bank teams to identify opportunities for addressing agri-food development issues within broader diagnostics and multi-sectoral projects.
• Staying current with major analytical work in the field and participating in strategic analytical initiatives relevant to the AGF unit's work.
• Representing the World Bank in forums involving development partners and supporting their work in food safety.
• Developing strong client relations and stakeholder partnerships on operational matters and policy dialogue.
• Contributing to the rollout of the AgriConnect initiative from a food safety perspective, aimed at transforming smallholder farming and enhancing global security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Agriculture Economist position must possess advanced knowledge in food safety, agriculture, agri-food systems, and rural development. The selection criteria include:

• A Master's or PhD in Food Safety, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Economics, MBA, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant working experience in food safety and agri-food systems transformation.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects with high-impact results.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in leading policy dialogues on critical agri-food system issues.
• Understanding of food safety and food trade policies, strategies, and regulations, with the ability to support findings with technical evidence.
• Proven team skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-sectoral, and multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to teamwork and effective communication.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Senior Agriculture Economist position includes a Master's or PhD in relevant fields such as Food Safety, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Economics, or an MBA. This advanced education is essential to equip the candidate with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to address complex issues in food safety and agri-food systems.

Experience:
The position requires at least eight years of relevant working experience in areas related to food safety and the transformation of agri-food systems. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing complex projects that yield high-impact results, demonstrating their ability to navigate the challenges associated with agricultural development and policy implementation.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, which is essential for effective communication within the World Bank and with external stakeholders. Additionally, knowledge of Russian is preferred, as it would enhance the candidate's ability to engage with clients and partners in the ECA region, where Russian is commonly spoken.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an international recruitment role with a term duration of four years. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life, and disability insurance, as well as paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates regardless of gender, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. The role may require frequent regional and international travel to engage with stakeholders and support project implementation.