Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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. https://ww.worldbank.org.
The EAP is a large and diverse region, ranging from Small Island States of the Pacific to the Philippines and China. Despite recording substantial economic growth and poverty reduction, the EAP region faces number of development challenges. Growth has been uneven across and within countries, institutions still need further strengthening, and most EAP countries are severely impacted by climate change. The Bank plays a significant role in helping countries generate global public goods, including increasing climate co-benefits; restoring and protecting biodiversity; reducing air, water and soil pollution; and improving health outcomes. EAP region views the Bank as a premier development institution with a leadership role in providing quality analytical and advisory services, as well as financing impactful and scalable projects and programs. https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/ea
The AGF GP is helping member countries to transform their food systems not only to meet the food and nutrition requirements, but also contribute to the World Bank Group’s (WBG) Vision of creating a world free of poverty—on a livable planet. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that by 2050 the world must produce 60 percent more food to feed a global population of about 9.3 billion. That food must also be produced in an environmentally sustainable way. The Vision for AGF GP is a global agriculture able to feed every person, every day, in every country with a safe, nutritious and affordable diet, and where jobs and income gains in the food system are sufficient to meet poverty reduction targets and a livable planet.
The East Asia and the Pacific AGF GP Unit (SEAAG) focuses on promoting inclusive agriculture and food systems that are low carbon and climate resilient. The aim is to improved food and nutrition security. Thus, SEAAG is fostering competitive agri-food production systems and value chains development in the client countries. SEAAG also works closely with other Global Practices and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on the water, natural resources, nutrition, finance, transport and logistics, land, climate change and One Health agenda. SEAAG team consists of 22 staff, 80 percent of whom are based in country offices.
Within China, the WBG has a long history of supporting agriculture and rural development, while focusing on improving agricultural productivity and food safety; reducing poverty; promoting climate-smart and sustainable agriculture development, inclusive value chains development, green agriculture finance, and green (low-carbon) agriculture and rural revitalization; advancing the One Health agenda; and fostering overall agriculture-food system transformation. Duties and responsibilities:
The primary responsibility of the Senior Agriculture Specialist will be to lead or contribute to the AGF GP’s Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA); development and implementation of agricultural and rural development lending programs/projects; and contribute/lead to the policy and strategic dialogue in China. The selected candidate will also lead or contribute to fostering strong linkages with internal and external clients, including development partners, research and academic institutions, agro-enterprises, and farmer cooperatives, etc. The selected candidate will report to the Practice Manager, SEAAG, who is based in Singapore. The selected candidate will work closely with the China AGF GP team; Sustainable Development (SD) Program Leader (PL); and the Country Management Unit (CMU) in Beijing, Peoples’ Republic of China. The Senior Agriculture Specialist will:
Lead or contribute to ASAs and technical assistance in China. Maintain a high-level engagement and policy dialogue with key government counterparts and with stakeholders on the food system transformation issues, including food and nutrition security, food safety, low carbon and climate resilient agriculture, value chains development, sustainable agricultural ecosystems management, soil health improvement, and One Health approach.
Lead or contribute to the preparation and supervision of lending programs and projects led by AGF GP in China, as well as those supporting agriculture and food system related activities led by other GPs, such as water, environment and blue economy, and human development and nutrition. Assure timely delivery of these operations with high levels of quality.
Work with the PL, AGF staff and other GPs under SD practice group to find opportunities for addressing agriculture and food system and rural development issues as part of the Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCDs), Country Partnership Framework (CPFs), country policy dialogue, sector investment operations, development policy operations, multiphase programmatic approach, and other multi-sectoral projects.
Identify innovative approaches to address existing challenges in the agricultural sector, including by bringing in experience from other parts of the world; and to better align the AGF GP’s portfolio with the EAP region’s and CMUs’ core priorities.
Represent the WBG and the AGF GP in fora involving the community of development partners and public and private sector as needed. As necessary, represent the WBG and the AGF GP in knowledge sharing events with the sectoral focus.
Mentor and coach junior AGF GP staff in the country office.
Selection Criteria:
A minimum of a Masters in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness or Project Management, or related fields. A minimum of 8 years of working experience in areas related to agriculture and food systems, agribusiness, food safety systems, value chain development, rural development and other fields related to food systems. Specific criteria include:
Demonstrated solid experience in leading complex food system transformation programs and projects, with demonstrated high quality results;
Demonstrated knowledge of global and regional food systems and experience with international and domestic food safety standards and certification procedures;
Demonstrated knowledge of innovative green financing mechanisms for the transformation of the food systems to meet low carbon and sustainable agriculture goals;
Ability to contribute to policy dialogue on food safety, development of farmer cooperatives, agri-food value chain development, green/climate smart and sustainable agriculture, low carbon crop and livestock value chains, and agri-food logistics with client governments and other stakeholders, such as research and academic institutions and enterprises;
Proven experience in leading or contributing to agri-business and value chain development ASAs and technical discussions or consultations workshops with client governments, research and academic institutions, and other stakeholders;
Ability to work across various subject areas and multi-disciplinary teams; while remaining diplomatic and sensitive to cultural, political and gender issues;
Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and teamwork skills with ability to find balanced, pragmatic and implementable solutions;
Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision to implement Bank programs and projects and resolve complex operational issues;
Knowledge and experience of working with the World Bank Group’s, other multilateral financial institutions,’ United Nation agencies,’ and other development partners’ programs and projects strongly desirable; and
Proven good written and oral communication skills in English and Chinese, including the ability to present complex issues to specialists as well as to non-specialist audiences.
