What are the responsibilities and job description for the E T Consultant - AgriConnect - req32813 position at IFC - International Finance Corporation?
E T Consultant - AgriConnect
Job #: req32813
Organization: IFC
Sector: Investment
Grade: EC4
Term Duration: 1 year 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s)
Closing Date: 4/23/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.
Agribusiness is central to the IFC's strategy and the World Bank Group (WBG). Recently, the WBG announced a significant increase in financing for this sector to enhance job creation and food security. This initiative, called AgriConnect, aims to double the overall commitments to agri-finance, and agribusiness to US$9 billion annually by 2030, with a greater focus on farmers and on the entire ecosystem of this sector.
The AgriConnect initiative aims to transform agricultural practices through innovative technologies and sustainable practices. Initially, it will focus on Africa, where significant agricultural potential remains underutilized. In this region, the initiative will work to establish resilient, well-connected, and competitive agri-food value chains. This includes enhancing support for farmers, creating quality jobs, boosting productivity, improving water use, bringing new de-risking instruments, improving infrastructure, and increasing local food production to ensure a more vibrant and resilient agricultural sector in Africa.
AgriConnect will also prioritize capacity building across the entire agricultural ecosystem. This involves, for instance, increasing yields, improving environmental and social practices, reducing food losses, supporting the adoption of new de-risking tools that improve access to finance, and lowering transactional costs. We aim to create a more efficient and effective agri-food system by strengthening these aspects.
While AgriConnect starts in Africa, it is a global program. As we progress, we will develop tailored strategies to address the unique challenges other regions face. This approach will enable us to implement interventions specifically suited to the needs of different agricultural ecosystems worldwide.
AgriConnect is expected to bolster farmer support and job creation, enhance productivity across more hectares, and increase local food production. By fostering more resilient food systems, this integrated approach will lead to higher throughput that meets market demands, boosts trade, and reduces food losses, ultimately improving food and nutrition security. Increased agricultural productivity and income will create jobs, elevate revenues, and improve the quality of food and nutrition. Climate-smart production practices will result in lower emissions and cleaner air and water, contributing to an overall better quality of life.
We stand at a crossroads where the decisions we make today will shape the future. The World Bank's ecosystem approach moves us beyond fragmented efforts to a cohesive set of solutions that encompass everything from warehousing and logistics to production, all with smallholder farmers and producer organizations at the center.
To support AgriConnect, IFC is seeking to hire an ETC to help manage the day-to-day operations and implementation of the initiative.
Duties And Accountabilities
The primary objective of this position is to ensure the successful implementation of the AgriConnect initiative by providing strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational support.
Key Objectives Of This Position Will Include, Among Others
The consultancy will last 12 months, with the possibility of an extension based on performance and project needs.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
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.
Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET appointment of three years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.
Job #: req32813
Organization: IFC
Sector: Investment
Grade: EC4
Term Duration: 1 year 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s)
Closing Date: 4/23/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.
Agribusiness is central to the IFC's strategy and the World Bank Group (WBG). Recently, the WBG announced a significant increase in financing for this sector to enhance job creation and food security. This initiative, called AgriConnect, aims to double the overall commitments to agri-finance, and agribusiness to US$9 billion annually by 2030, with a greater focus on farmers and on the entire ecosystem of this sector.
The AgriConnect initiative aims to transform agricultural practices through innovative technologies and sustainable practices. Initially, it will focus on Africa, where significant agricultural potential remains underutilized. In this region, the initiative will work to establish resilient, well-connected, and competitive agri-food value chains. This includes enhancing support for farmers, creating quality jobs, boosting productivity, improving water use, bringing new de-risking instruments, improving infrastructure, and increasing local food production to ensure a more vibrant and resilient agricultural sector in Africa.
AgriConnect will also prioritize capacity building across the entire agricultural ecosystem. This involves, for instance, increasing yields, improving environmental and social practices, reducing food losses, supporting the adoption of new de-risking tools that improve access to finance, and lowering transactional costs. We aim to create a more efficient and effective agri-food system by strengthening these aspects.
While AgriConnect starts in Africa, it is a global program. As we progress, we will develop tailored strategies to address the unique challenges other regions face. This approach will enable us to implement interventions specifically suited to the needs of different agricultural ecosystems worldwide.
AgriConnect is expected to bolster farmer support and job creation, enhance productivity across more hectares, and increase local food production. By fostering more resilient food systems, this integrated approach will lead to higher throughput that meets market demands, boosts trade, and reduces food losses, ultimately improving food and nutrition security. Increased agricultural productivity and income will create jobs, elevate revenues, and improve the quality of food and nutrition. Climate-smart production practices will result in lower emissions and cleaner air and water, contributing to an overall better quality of life.
We stand at a crossroads where the decisions we make today will shape the future. The World Bank's ecosystem approach moves us beyond fragmented efforts to a cohesive set of solutions that encompass everything from warehousing and logistics to production, all with smallholder farmers and producer organizations at the center.
To support AgriConnect, IFC is seeking to hire an ETC to help manage the day-to-day operations and implementation of the initiative.
Duties And Accountabilities
The primary objective of this position is to ensure the successful implementation of the AgriConnect initiative by providing strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational support.
Key Objectives Of This Position Will Include, Among Others
- Implementation of AgriConnect: Support activities in alignment with the approved roadmap to ensure the smooth execution of project activities.
- Coordination: Collaborate with various stakeholders, both within and outside the WBG.
- Representation: Represent IFC at high-level meetings with government officials and key implementing partners.
- Timely Completion: Ensure tasks are completed on schedule and within the allocated budget.
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve the initiative's goals.
- Technical Expertise: Provide expert advice on agricultural technologies and sustainable practices.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Assist internal teams in collaborating with stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish and maintain frameworks for monitoring and evaluation to track progress and assess impact.
- Project Management
- Develop detailed work plans and schedules for AgriConnect activities.
- Monitor progress and ensure timely completion of tasks.
- Coordinate with team members and stakeholders to facilitate smooth execution.
- Communication and Reporting
- Prepare regular progress reports for stakeholders, especially IFC Management.
- Organize meetings and workshops to discuss project updates and challenges.
- Maintain clear and open channels of communication among all parties involved.
- Technical Support
- Provide expertise in agricultural practices and policy analysis.
- Support the development of proposals focusing on key topics that limit the performance of agribusiness and our existing food systems.
- Identify potential funding opportunities and support the preparation of proposals.
- Assist in refining and simplifying communication for better clarity.
- Partnership Establishment
- Identify and establish partnerships with relevant organizations and stakeholders to support AgriConnect objectives.
- Work with our teams in coordination with local governments to ensure alignment with national policies and regulations by signing and implementing national compacts.
- Facilitate collaboration within the WBG to leverage resources and expertise.
- Advanced degree in Agriculture, Economics, or related field.
- Minimum of 20 years of experience in high-level leadership within the agricultural sector, with proven ability to mobilize resources, design and execute complex programs, and fix problems. Additionally, the candidate must have a strong background in integrating evidence, science, and innovation into policy and practice, focusing on smallholder farmers and SMEs in the agricultural sector and integration with local and global supply chains.
- Extensive experience in leadership roles within various high-profile organizations and initiatives focused on agricultural development, food systems, and resource management.
- Successful leadership in transforming food systems, pioneering the implementation of comprehensive agricultural development programs, and improving the productivity and livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
- Well-regarded recognition in the agribusiness arena, both in the public and private sectors.
- Strong communication and team-building skills.
- Expertise in agricultural practices and policy analysis, with specific examples such as implementing sustainable farming techniques and conducting policy impact assessments.
The consultancy will last 12 months, with the possibility of an extension based on performance and project needs.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
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.
Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET appointment of three years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.
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