Senior Agriculture Specialist

Senior Agriculture Specialist

Job #:
req32018
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Agriculture
Grade:
GG
Term Duration:
3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
Local Recruitment
Location:
Bucharest,Romania
Required Language(s):
English, Romanian
Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
3/12/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises 30 extremely diverse countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. A predominantly middle-income region, ECA continues to be at the forefront in confronting the numerous development challenges that countries face in the evolving global economy. Several countries in the region face structural and legacy issues, including an incomplete transition to a market economy and declining productivity, weak institutional capacity, dependance on fossil fuels, limited physical and digital connectivity and demographic transition. The spillover impacts of recent shocks (COVID-19, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, weather shocks and natural disaster) have further exacerbated these challenges, with significant impacts on the level, inclusiveness and sustainability of growth and overall living standards.

In line with its Evolution Roadmap and the one World Bank Group approach, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is working closely with IFC and MIGA to support countries in the region to address these issues, with increasing focus on climate action, including energy transition and water management, human capital and economic inclusion, productivity and job creation, and physical and digital connectivity. The region has a strong lending pipeline as well as a large portfolio of Trust Funds (TFs) and Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS). Knowledge is critical to the Bank's value proposition to client countries in the ECA region in both lending and advisory services.

For more information about the region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eca

Agriculture and Food Global Practice (AGF GP)

AGF GP supports a global vision of promoting agri-food systems able to feed every person, every day, in every country with a safe, nutritious, and affordable diet, and where jobs and income gains are sufficient to meet poverty reduction targets. AGF GP has an active portfolio of about 240 projects and 200 knowledge activities. Areas of focus cover climate resilient agriculture and sustainable practices; food & nutrition security; agribusiness, value-chain development, and private sector investments in agri-food; and jobs and rural livelihoods.
The Agriculture and Food Global Practice (GFADR) of the World Bank consists of around 260 staff globally, of which about a third are in country offices. The Agriculture and Food team in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region (SCAAG) is organized under the umbrella of ECA Planet Vertical that also incorporates water, environment, social development, and climate change teams. The unit's work program covers seven Country Management Units that comprise the ECA Region and is led by a Regional Manager for Agriculture and Food. The team consists of 23 staff (14 of whom are based in Country Offices). The focus of the team's work going forward is on the future of agri-food systems, including inclusiveness, diversification of economies, jobs, agricultural competitiveness and linking farmers to markets, leveraging the private sector, climate-smart agriculture, digital agriculture, financial innovation, resilience, post-COVID recovery, and fragility and conflict as well as the broader sustainable development agenda.

Duties & Accountabilities:

The WBG is recruiting a Senior Agriculture Specialist/Economist based in Bucharest, Romania. The Senior Agriculture Specialist will report to the SCAAG Regional Manager for Agriculture and Food and assist in the delivery of the Unit's work program, assurance of quality, interaction with internal and external clients, including the governments and private sector, and partnerships in Romania. The Senior Agriculture Specialist/Economist will primarily focus on the Romania portfolio, but could also support the activities of other countries, Planet units or other Practice Groups, as well as supporting the broader strategic dialogue and engagements, in areas including agri-food system reforms, competitiveness, climate change, food and nutrition security, integrated risk resilience, jobs, inclusion of vulnerable populations, gender mainstreaming and rural transformation opportunities.

In doing so, the Senior Agriculture Specialist will work closely with the SCAAG Regional Manager for agriculture and food, unit teams working on Romania, including the relevant Program Leader. S/he will play an important leading or supporting role in the preparation of new operations and carrying out specific pieces of high priority Advisory Services and Analytics (ASAs), including Reimbursable Advisory Services (RASs). S/he is expected to lead the policy and reform dialogue in Romania, contribute to broader Planet and CMU engagements and dialogue, contribute to core analytic pieces for the country engagement as needed and proactively engage and seek opportunities for business engagement and support the Unit's achievements of operational milestones and results targets.

The Senior Agriculture Specialist/Economist's responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Play a key role in defining and leading or co-leading agri-food sector policy dialogue in Romania, building and expanding on current activities, carry-out cutting-edge analytics, and provide strategic advice to clients, peers, and unit management relating to agri-food systems relevant themes - these could include policy and reform levers to inform macro-level agendas such as food commodity trade and global supply chains; agriculture, forestry, water and climate nexus; inclusion vulnerable populations in sustainable, equitable sectoral opportunities; and modernization of agri-food systems;
• Lead activities as Task Team Leader or as core team member, both in agriculture and multi-sectoral operations, assuring quality in all stages of the project cycle;
• Work with the relevant Program Leaders and staff of the Agriculture GP and other GPs to identify opportunities for addressing agricultural issues as part of the World Bank's Systematic Country Diagnostic, Country Partnership Framework, country policy dialogue, sector deep dives, sector investment operations, budget support operations, and other multi-sectoral projects;
• Promote a strategic approach to support agricultural growth and effectively communicate that to the country team;
• Identify innovative opportunities or ways to address existing needs in the agri-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 the country and/or on a sub-regional level, and work with teams engaged in analytical work relevant to the Agriculture and Food GP's work program;
• Support (or lead) analytical and advisory service activities (ASAs), including Reimbursable Advisory Services (RASs) on overall business development, inform reforms and fill knowledge gaps;
• Participate in the country strategic dialogue and represent the agriculture sector and the Planet vertical, more broadly, and provide contributions as needed;
• Support the effective and practical dissemination of knowledge products as well as potential knowledge exchanges.
• Actively engage with Romanian counterparts on the agriculture engagements and identify opportunities for future priority engagement;
• Provide inputs on country and sectoral briefs, policy notes, strategy documents and cross-cutting think pieces;
• Support the Unit's work program outside of Romania as needed and as will be agreed as part of the work program;
• As necessary, represent the World Bank and SCAAG at events with sectoral focus;
• Mentor, guide, and support junior staff in the Unit; and
• Serve as one of the country focal points for the Unit.

Selection Criteria

The Senior Agriculture Specialist/Economist will have broad knowledge in the Romanian agriculture sector and policies and across the Planet Vertical and will be well-versed in the WBG's operational and reform dialogue on agriculture and the broader Planet sectors. In addition to meeting the WBG-wide requirements for a grade GG-level position, it is expected that the successful candidate will meet the following selection criteria:

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience in agriculture, rural development and public service-related disciplines.
• A master's degree in agriculture and food or other relevant discipline.
• Romanian and English language skills are required.
• Familiarity with the institutions and modus operandi of the Romanian public administration, including in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), as well as the necessary skills for the facilitation of the dialogue between the World Bank and the Government of Romania.
• In-depth knowledge of the European Union's Common Agriculture Policy, its processes, and the related Romanian sector policies and programs.
• Familiarity with the World Bank's RAS engagement in Romania and the related administrative arrangements between the World Bank, Government of Romania, and the EU.
• Background in public policy and the agriculture sector, experience with European Union institutions, processes and financing programs, and experience with World Bank RAS assignments.
• Relevant, proven experience that demonstrate technical communication and client-facing skills.
• 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 challenging conditions; and
• Willingness and ability to travel.

Competencies:

Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena. Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level.

Policy Dialogue Skills. Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners.

Integrative Skills. Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations.

Analytical skills. Deep understanding of concepts used in analyzing the different agricultural sector issues, with significant experience.

Agriculture Policy, Strategy, and Institutions. Solid understanding of agriculture policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations.

Project Design for Impact and Sustainability. Contributes to the design of projects and programs based on an understanding of the country and sector context.

Sector Dialogue. Able to conduct a dialogue with the client including on complex issues, based on a solid understanding of the sector.

Client Orientation. Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.

Drive for Results. Identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables.

Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion. Shows leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.

Knowledge, Learning, and Communication. Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge, and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels.

Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making. Gathers inputs, assesses risk, considers impact, and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term.

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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