| Job #: | 130931 |
| Title: | Senior / Principal Operations Officer - Agribusiness |
| Job Stream: | Technical Assistance & Advisory Services |
| Location: | New Delhi, India |
| Closing Date: | 05/01/2013 |
| Background / General description: | |
| International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives and in doing so offers a unique combination of investment and advisory services to its clients. The Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) business line works with companies to adopt environmental, social and governance practices and technologies. This will result in broad adoption of these practices to transform markets and improve people’s lives. SBA works in agribusiness, manufacturing, infrastructure, oil, gas, mining, services, and other sectors. SBA 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. 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, climate resilient practices, post-harvest processing and certification, access to finance and market links. IFC recruiting a Senior/Principal Agribusiness Specialist to support the Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) across the South Asia region. SBA in South Asia has a portfolio of nearly 30 projects with a total volume of USD 23 million and 25 staff working in 4 countries and 5 offices. The Senior/ Principal Agribusiness Specialist will work under the general direction of the Regional Manager SBA , and be based in Delhi. S/he will support the Manager in building and managing IFC’s regional portfolio of SBA, in close collaboration with IFC regional colleagues, global experts, and regional departments. S/he will complement and work closely with the existing team and will be a source of knowledge and analysis on issues pertaining to sustainable agribusiness and supply chain development. | |
| Duties and Accountabilities: | |
| Reporting to the Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) Regional Business Line Manager (RBLM) in the region, the Regional Agribusiness Specialist will be responsible to manage the agribusiness portfolio and mentor agribusiness staff in the Region.. S/he will also be expected to provide technical input to the program. More specifically, accountabilities will include: • New business 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. Business development would include meeting with senior management of potential agribusiness advisory clients and identifying strategic client priorities and opportunities for 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, work plans, 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 IFC‘s Development Goals. • 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. | |
| 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 15 years of relevant working experience with a preference of at least five years experience in the private sector and at least five years with an international organization • Minimum level Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, Natural Resource Management or related area. • Demonstrated technical knowledge of best practices related to agribusiness development with a private sector focus • A track record of managing successful agriculture development projects, preferably in a developing country context; • Hands-on farming experience or working directly with farmers will be considered a plus, as well as Agri-finance experience. • A good understanding of climate resilient agriculture/aquaculture practices • 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 • Knowledge of the operations of the World Bank Group is desirable • Willingness to travel regularly within the region IFC offers a challenging and rewarding work environment, attractive compensation and excellent career opportunities. As a representative of the World Bank Group, all professional activities are expected to be consistent with the Group’s Core Values: personal honesty, integrity, commitment, working together in teams – with openness and trust; empowering others and respecting differences; encouraging risk-taking and responsibility; enjoying our work and our families. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Duration of the Assignment: This is a three year appointment and renewable depending on performance. *LI-GK1 | |
** Applications must be submitted online. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates can check the status of their applications by visiting www.ifc.org/careers.
