Sunday, 3 June 2012

International Finance Corporation (IFC) Senior Agribusiness Specialist Job Vacancy in US

Background / General description
• The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, pursues its mission of reducing poverty and improving people’s lives by promoting private sector development through investment and advisory services .

• The Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) business line works with companies to adopt environmental, social and governance practices and technologies that create a competitive edge.
• We seek the broad adoption of these practices to transform markets and improve people’s lives.
• We work in agribusiness, manufacturing, infrastructure, oil, gas, mining, services, and other sectors.
• Our programs promote good corporate governance and strategic community investments; advance women in business, small scale farmers, and small firms; and engage the private sector in climate-change solutions.
• Across six regions, IFC has growing activities related to agribusiness across a number of key commodities, involving working along the supply chain with brands, processors, traders and farmers to improve and strengthen farm management , productivity, post-harvest processing and certification, access to finance and market links. In support of IFC’s growing commitment to this area, Senior Agribusiness Specialists are sought for key positions in Latin America , South Asia, Africa and Europe & Central Asia.
• In some regions we are seeking to hire several staff at varying levels of seniority.

Duties and Accountabilities
Reporting to the Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) Regional Business Line Manager (RBLM) in the region, Senior Agribusiness Specialist(s) will manage one or several advisory projects or components in the region to which they are assigned, while possibly providing technical input and expertise more broadly.

More specifically, accountabilities will include:
• Strategy & Business Development: Support the RBLM in formulating the regional agribusiness SBA strategy and act as the regional agribusiness coordinator for the implementation of IFC’s agribusiness strategic action plan in the region. In this function s/he will support the RBLM in developing managing, and reporting on a regional agribusiness program that is aligned with the corporate action plan. S/he will work in close coordination with investment departments, country managers and other advisory services business lines to identify advisory opportunities and will provide leadership and relevant expertise to develop a pipeline of advisory projects in agribusiness AS in the region. S/he may also need to support fundraising efforts for regional activities.

• New project development: Support on scoping and designing a growing portfolio and pipeline of agribusiness projects that either work directly with a specific investment client or take a broader programmatic approach. Project development would include meeting with senior management of potential agribusiness advisory clients and pitching them on IFC advisory services . Project design would include providing technical expertise and overall quality control . This will require developing close relationships with Investment colleagues and across Advisory business lines.

• Program/project management : Manage or support project approval processes, workplans, budgets, hire and manage project teams which may include staff and consultants, support and mentor junior staff. Assure quality throughout the project cycle from concept clearance, project design, early review, approval, supervision and closure. Ensure projects adhere to a rigorous Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and respond to IDGs.

• Global agribusiness practice group: Participate actively in the global practice group for Agribusiness, focused on specific areas of topic/sub-sector expertise. Regularly contribute to sharing technical knowledge and project design & implementation experience.

• Technical expertise: Provide technical advice to the region and globally on agribusiness-related issues as needed, particularly related to supply chain issues and specific commodities of interest to the relevant region. Support scoping and assessing risks/opportunities of agribusiness investments and identify advisory opportunities.

• Staff supervision: In some regions, lead/supervise a team across various countries to drives performance. Provide ongoing clarity and vision about the agribusiness strategy to the team. Provide guidance, support and motivation and influence strong results-oriented practices across the team to drive for excellence.

• Regional Focal Point and global core Agribusiness Practice Group: Establish and maintain close collaboration and communication with his peers from other regions, the Global Products Specialists and Industry Specialists in SBA as well as with the relevant regional agribusiness AS team across business lines. S/he will also represent her/his respective region as a member of the core agribusiness practice group, actively supporting knowledge management and dissemination within the practice group. This could include peer reviewing project concepts/documents from other regions, supporting new staff recruitment and on boarding, sharing best practice, participating in broader learning and knowledge sharing events, and developing deep knowledge in at least one area of global importance for IFC agribusiness AS and serving as global resource for the topic.

Selection Criteria
IFC is seeking seasoned, highly-motivated professionals with experience in agriculture development who can work well with limited supervision, think independently and is results-oriented.

The following is a summary of the required and preferred qualifications:
• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant working experience [fifteen (15) for principal positions], with a preference of at least five years experience in the private sector and at least five years with an international organization
• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Agriculture, Development Studies, Business Administration or a related field
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of best practices related to agriculture development with a private sector focus
• A track record of managing successful agriculture development projects, preferably in a developing country context
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo in order to build the business
• Recognized as a team player, ability to effectively build consensus, and ability to collaborate across a multicultural, multinational organization
• Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions
• Persuasive writing, proven ability to prepare proposals, concept papers and reports to a high-level of English proficiency
• Relevant language fluency is highly preferred (French/Africa, Spanish/LAC and Russian/ECA)
• Knowledge of the operations of the World Bank Group is desirable
• Willingness to travel regularly within the region and to other IFC offices around the world
• A solid track record of leading teams, with preference given to experience leading virtual teams

IFC offers a challenging and rewarding work environment, attractive compensation and excellent career opportunities. All applications will be treated in strict confidence. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Click Here to Apply

Closing Date: Tuesday, 12 June 2012

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