Sr Program Officer - Agricultural Finance Development Facility (AgriFin) Job Vacancy in Washington

Background / General description

The importance of agriculture and rural development to the World Bank’s agenda has been reiterated in a variety of ways, including the key flagship report, the World Development Report 2008. The Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Department supports this agenda by promoting and shaping global approaches to various critical issues and by leading innovation and product development . The Department's work program is organized into four groups respectively with: (a) rural policies, (b) agricultural technology, (c) agriculture and rural markets, and (d) agriculture and natural resources . Increasing access to financial services in rural areas is key focus area of the agricultural and rural markets group. . Co-funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, ARD has set up AgriFin, the Agriculture Finance Support Facility. AgriFin supports the scaling-up of access to financial services, especially lending for agriculture, in rural areas in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. AgriFin does this by co-financing business development activities and by implementing a knowledge generation and learning program. The business development activities are co-financed in financial institutions in developing countries on the basis of project proposals approved by AgriFin’s Steering Committee. The knowledge generation and learning program aims to facilitate learning on agriculture finance among a broad set of stakeholders, primarily senior management of financial institutions in developing countries, senior government representatives, and, World Bank task managers. AgriFin operates as part of the Agricultural Finance and Risk Management (AFRM) unit, within ARD. AFRM is headed by a Team Leader and day-to-day AgriFin activities are managed by a Program Coordinator. AgriFin coordinates its work with the activities of ARD’s regional departments, as well as with the Financial and Private Sector Department (FPD) and IFC.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Senior Program Officer will be primarily responsible for AgriFin’s technical assistance activities with the objective of bringing global good practices to AgriFin partners on an ongoing basis. He/She will also have the opportunity to task-manage selected AgriFin projects. As part of his/her responsibilities, the Senior Program Officer will: • Periodically assess the technical assistance needs of AgriFin clients and associated stakeholders. • Periodically assess the standard of technical assistance provided by AgriFin and recommend/take appropriate actions to maintain quality. • Proactively identify project opportunities and work with potential partners to structure and appraise projects (including production of Concept Notes and Grant Proposals for approval by the AgriFin Steering Committee). • Undertake implementation support missions, participate in Project Advisory Committee meetings and maintain collaborative relationships with partners. • Review quarterly and half-yearly Progress Reports received from AgriFin partners.  • Contribute to AgriFin’s knowledge management activities.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree in economics, business, finance, or international development. • At least eight years of professional experience in the financial sector; experience in agricultural finance strongly preferred, especially in developing countries.  • Experience in design, management, and supervision of advisory services • Excellent writing skills with ability to succinctly present complex technical issues in a manner that is understood by AgriFin’s broad stakeholder base. • Excellent organizational skills, including team building, communication, multi-tasking, and ability to work with a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team. • Willingness to travel extensively . • Excellent written and oral skills in English, knowledge of French an advantage. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Click Here to Apply Closing Date: Sunday, 15 January 2012