Senior Agriculture Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group (WBG) is a global development cooperative established to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries. Founded in 1944, the organization consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The WBG operates in over 189 member countries and employs thousands of professionals dedicated to addressing the world's most pressing development challenges. The mission of the World Bank is to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity, particularly in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of the world's extreme poor are projected to live by 203

• The organization is committed to providing loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, with a focus on sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Job Overview:
The Senior Agriculture Economist position at the World Bank involves leading the delivery of the unit's work program in Côte d'Ivoire, ensuring alignment with the WBG Agri Connect initiative and its targets. The role requires the individual to lead task teams in delivering impactful projects and strategic advisory and analytical tasks. The Senior Agriculture Economist will be responsible for designing, preparing, and supervising operation projects, providing technical guidance to enhance agricultural food systems, and contributing to strategic agricultural policy reforms. This position is crucial for addressing complex development issues in the agriculture sector, particularly in a country where agriculture plays a significant role in economic advancement and poverty alleviation. The successful candidate will engage with clients, stakeholders, and development partners, representing the Agriculture and Food team at relevant events and ensuring the integration of agriculture interventions in broader development programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Agriculture Economist will report to the Practice Manager for the SAWA4 unit and will have a range of responsibilities, including: leading the design, preparation, and supervision of operation projects as Task Team Leader (TTL) or core team member; providing technical guidance to position agriculture food systems in country programs; leading or contributing to advisory and analytical activities; engaging in strategic agricultural policy reforms dialogue; integrating agriculture interventions in Planet programs; actively engaging with clients and stakeholders; serving as the focal point for Farming and Agribusiness in Côte d'Ivoire; responding to ad-hoc information requests; and providing mentoring and support to the task team. The role requires a proactive approach to project management and collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes in the agriculture sector.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate professional excellence and possess outstanding oral and written communication skills. They should have a master's degree in agricultural and resource economics, agribusiness, agriculture, or a closely related discipline. Additionally, candidates must have at least 8 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, agribusiness, and food systems. Strong technical and analytical skills, the ability to lead discussions on policy reforms, and effective communication skills in both English and French are essential. Candidates should also exhibit excellent interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and a high degree of ethics and political judgment.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in agricultural and resource economics, agribusiness, agriculture, or a closely related discipline is required for this position. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of agricultural systems and the economic factors that influence them.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, agribusiness, and related disciplines. This experience should include a strong focus on food systems and the ability to identify problems and translate knowledge into innovative solutions. Experience in leading discussions on policy reforms and working in multi-cultural settings is also important.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and French, as effective communication in both languages is crucial for engaging with stakeholders and producing high-quality documents. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is an international recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 4 years. The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. The role may require extensive travel, and candidates should be prepared to work under pressure and in challenging conditions.