Agriculture Economist

Contract

This is a World Bank Group grade: GF contract. More about World Bank Group grade: GF contracts.

Agriculture Economist

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, 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

Agriculture and food systems are a crucial pathway to meet the World Bank Group’s (WBG) twin goals; it is estimated that global food production must increase by at least 35 percent to meet the needs of the rising global population!

The Agriculture and Food Global Practice (AGF GP) of the WBG, supports a Global Vision for Agriculture and Food with 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. The AGF GP Unit for East Asia and the Pacific (SEAAG) focuses on promoting climate smart and nutrition sensitive agriculture, linking smallholder farmers to markets, agriculture value chain development, and enhancing rural livelihoods and jobs! The Philippines SEAAG program involves analytical studies, technical assistance, and projects. They focus on promoting climate resilient and competitive agri-food production systems and value chains and sustainable rural development through close engagement with the Department of Agriculture, other government agencies involved in integrated rural development and local government units. We also work closely with other Global Practices on the natural resources, water, nutrition, public finance and decentralization, and the land agenda. The selected candidate will report to our SEAAG Practice Manager, based in Singapore.

Job duties and responsibilities

• Contribute to the preparation and supervision of agriculture projects in the Philippines led by SEAAG and those projects supporting agriculture and food system related activities managed by other GPs. Assure timely delivery of these operations with high levels of quality.

• Remain up-to-date with relevant developments in the country and analytical work in the sector. Initiate/participate in analytical and strategic work pertaining to agricultural and food systems development, including work managed by SEAAG and those that are managed by other GPs, but requiring agriculture-related inputs;

• Actively contribute to the advisory services with the Department of Agriculture (DA), including support to the DA’s farmer registry and DA’s diversification strategy.

• Coordinate and follow up with government counterparts and consultants, provide high-quality research and analytical support, including drafting policy notes related to agriculture, agribusiness, natural resources management and water policies.

• Contribute to policy dialogue on agricultural and rural development issues and interactions with the client, development partners and other stakeholders, and alert management (both country and sector) to issues requiring attention;

• Assume an active role in the country team with the aim to ensure adequate and appropriate integration of relevant aspects of the agriculture and food systems and rural development agenda in core Bank products. This includes the country partnership framework, strategic country diagnostic, country economic memorandum, engagement note and the like.

• Serve as an active member of the SEAAG team, contributing to the Region’s strategic scale up of support for agricultural and food systems development

• Participate in collaborative and coordination efforts with other donors and development partners to optimize synergy with Bank supported projects and program.

• Participate in the dialogue with relevant representatives of the private sector in order to keep abreast with issues related to the business investment climate and identify possible areas of collaboration through public-private-partnerships.

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, 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

Agriculture and food systems are a crucial pathway to meet the World Bank Group’s (WBG) twin goals; it is estimated that global food production must increase by at least 35 percent to meet the needs of the rising global population!

The Agriculture and Food Global Practice (AGF GP) of the WBG, supports a Global Vision for Agriculture and Food with 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. The AGF GP Unit for East Asia and the Pacific (SEAAG) focuses on promoting climate smart and nutrition sensitive agriculture, linking smallholder farmers to markets, agriculture value chain development, and enhancing rural livelihoods and jobs! The Philippines SEAAG program involves analytical studies, technical assistance, and projects. They focus on promoting climate resilient and competitive agri-food production systems and value chains and sustainable rural development through close engagement with the Department of Agriculture, other government agencies involved in integrated rural development and local government units. We also work closely with other Global Practices on the natural resources, water, nutrition, public finance and decentralization, and the land agenda. The selected candidate will report to our SEAAG Practice Manager, based in Singapore.

Job duties and responsibilities

• Contribute to the preparation and supervision of agriculture projects in the Philippines led by SEAAG and those projects supporting agriculture and food system related activities managed by other GPs. Assure timely delivery of these operations with high levels of quality.

• Remain up-to-date with relevant developments in the country and analytical work in the sector. Initiate/participate in analytical and strategic work pertaining to agricultural and food systems development, including work managed by SEAAG and those that are managed by other GPs, but requiring agriculture-related inputs;

• Actively contribute to the advisory services with the Department of Agriculture (DA), including support to the DA’s farmer registry and DA’s diversification strategy.

• Coordinate and follow up with government counterparts and consultants, provide high-quality research and analytical support, including drafting policy notes related to agriculture, agribusiness, natural resources management and water policies.

• Contribute to policy dialogue on agricultural and rural development issues and interactions with the client, development partners and other stakeholders, and alert management (both country and sector) to issues requiring attention;

• Assume an active role in the country team with the aim to ensure adequate and appropriate integration of relevant aspects of the agriculture and food systems and rural development agenda in core Bank products. This includes the country partnership framework, strategic country diagnostic, country economic memorandum, engagement note and the like.

• Serve as an active member of the SEAAG team, contributing to the Region’s strategic scale up of support for agricultural and food systems development

• Participate in collaborative and coordination efforts with other donors and development partners to optimize synergy with Bank supported projects and program.

• Participate in the dialogue with relevant representatives of the private sector in order to keep abreast with issues related to the business investment climate and identify possible areas of collaboration through public-private-partnerships.

Selection Criteria

• Masters in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural Sciences or related fields. A minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience in areas related to agriculture, agriculture economics, agribusiness, and other fields related to food systems

• Recognized and respected by peers; demonstrated commitment to team work and ability to interact effectively and collegially with peers at all levels;

• Familiarity with the institutional context of the Philippines, and experience interacting with institutions involved in agriculture, landscape management, and rural development;

• Ability to think innovatively and strategically in dealing with policy issues while maintaining a strong client focus;

• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and team skills with ability to find balanced, pragmatic and implementable solution. Ability to work across various subject areas and multi-disciplinary teams; while being diplomatic and sensitive to cultural, political and gender issues

• Ability to contribute to the design and execution of policy and/or research initiatives, project design, organization and management.

• Ability to work under pressure while retaining perspective and a sense of humor; high level of energy, initiative and self-motivation, coupled with willingness to travel extensively and work under challenging conditions;

• Proven written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino/Tagalog, including the ability to present complex issues to specialists as well as to non-specialist audiences.

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.