Overview
The Agriculture Specialist will contribute to the delivery of the unit's work program in Mali, ensuring alignment with the WBG AgriConnect initiative. The role involves leading task teams to deliver impactful projects and strategic advisory and analytical tasks.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the implementation of FAB strategic approach to food security and agribusiness in Mali, serving as a team member and as required lead activities as Task Team Leader, both in agriculture multi-sectoral operations, assuring quality in all stages of the project cycle.
- Provide policy advice to government counterparts on agriculture, food security, agribusiness development, climate smart agriculture, and rural transformation, and Support sustained policy dialogue with clients and regional institutions on agri food system reform priorities.
- Work with the Country Management Unit (CMU) and the FAB team to identify opportunities and solutions for addressing agricultural and agribusiness challenges in Mali as part of the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework (CPF), country policy dialogue, sector investment operations, budget support operations, and other multi-sectoral projects.
- Identify innovative opportunities or ways to address food insecurity in general and improved food crisis preparedness in Mali, including bringing in experience from within the country and from other countries within Africa or elsewhere.
- Remain current with relevant major pieces of analytical work in the profession. Lead or participate in analytical activities in Mali or on a sub-regional level, and work with teams engaged in analytical work relevant to SAWA4's work program in Mali.
- Represent the World Bank in fora involving the community of development partners. Provide support, either explicit or implicit, to the work of the development partners in the sector.
- As necessary, represent the World Bank and the FAB management at events with sectoral focus that take place in Mali and in the region.
- Support coordination with development partners and contribute to donor harmonization and alignment.
- Work closely with colleagues from other Global Practices (e.g., Water, Environment, Social Protection, Finance, Governance) and with IFC and MIGA to support integrated solutions.
- Contribute to upstream coordination and joint engagements across the World Bank Group.
- Contribute to knowledge products, communities of practice, and learning activities, and support dissemination of lessons learned and good practices across countries and regions.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior staff and consultants, and Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and high performing team culture
Required Experience
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, agribusiness, and other disciplines related to food systems, working with governments and multiple stakeholders (e.g. private sector, development partners, professional and community organizations).
- Solid understanding of agri food value chains, sector policies, and investment challenges to unlock growth and jobs in developing countries,
- In-depth knowledge of the issues faced by smallholder farmers in agricultural value chains in Mali and across AFW region, and possible scalable solutions to improve their participations
- Familiarity with World Bank or comparable development institutions’ operational processes is an advantage.
Qualifications
• A master’s degree or PhD in agricultural and resource economics, agribusiness, agriculture or closely related discipline
