Agricultural Specialist - World Bank - Recent Newspaper Jobs In Nepal

Job Description

Nos. of Opening :
Working Position : Entry Level
Qualification Degree :
Salary : Negotiable
Job Category : Others

Job Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A COUNTRY OFFICE POSITION IN NEPAL SUBJECT TO LOCAL RECRUITMENT UNDER THE NEPALESE COMPENSATION PLAN. IF A STAFF MEMBER HOLDING AN HQ/INTERNATIONAL POSITION IS SELECTED INTO THIS POSITION, THEN THE STAFF MEMBER WOULD CONVERT TO A LOCAL APPOINTMENT (I.E., A LOCAL SALARY AND NO EXPATRIATE BENEFITS).

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.

The vision of the World Bank Group: to eradicate extreme poverty by reducing the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day to 3 percent by 2030, and promote shared prosperity by fostering the income growth of the bottom 40 percent in every country.

To achieve this vision, the WBG Board of Governors in 2013 approved a new strategy for the organization. This strategy leverages the combined strength of the WBG institutions and their unique ability to partner with the public and private sectors to deliver customized development solutions backed by finance, world class knowledge and convening services. The strategy has three components: maximizing development impact by engaging country clients in identifying and tackling the most difficult development challenges; promoting scaled-up partnerships that are strategically aligned with the goals; and crowding in public and private resources, expertise and ideas.

The architecture underpinning the strategy is the establishment of 14 Global Practices and five Cross-Cutting Solution Areas that, in concert with WBG Regions, will design and deliver solutions that address clients’ most pressing developmental challenges, and ultimately, enable the WBG to meet its twin goals of eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity.

Agriculture is an essential pathway to meeting the World Bank Group’s (WBG) twin goals—eliminating extreme poverty by 2030 and promoting shared prosperity. Food production must increase by at least 35 percent to meet the needs of the rising global population. Thus, ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity cannot be achieved without more and better investment in agriculture, food security, and nutrition. Meeting today’s challenges on the food and agriculture agenda will require major strides in agricultural innovation and climate smart agriculture, efficiency in food production and distribution systems, promoting environmentally and socially sustainable production practices, strengthening agricultural policy and institutions, supporting agribusiness value chains, and joint private and public sector action. The Agriculture Global Practice (GFADR) of the WBG, working closely with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), supports a Global Vision for Food and Agriculture 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.

GFADR consists of about 260 staffs of which 36% are located in country offices. The active portfolio consists of about 240 projects representing about US$18 billion in lending commitments. There are about 200 ongoing knowledge activities. Areas of focus include, among other: (i) increasing smallholder agricultural productivity, and it’s resilience through support to improved land and water management in irrigated and rainfed areas; (ii) linking farmers to markets and strengthening value chains through support for improved infrastructure, information technology, postharvest handling; (iii) facilitating rural nonfarm income by improving the rural investment climate and skills development; (iv) reducing risk, vulnerability and gender inequality through support to risk management mechanisms ; and (v) enhancing environmental services and sustainability. GFADR collaborates closely with numerous other GPs and IFC. It is led by a Senior Director, who has overall responsibility for the GP. The Senior Director is assisted by the Director, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Practice. The GFADR Management Team, which is the group that leads and manages the GP, consists of the Directors mentioned above and ten Agriculture Practice Managers, who manage the roughly 260 staff working on Agriculture in all six Regions and on global programs. About a third of the staff are located in Country Offices.

The work program of GFADR in South Asia spans across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka and supports projects/programs and non-lending services aimed primarily at inclusive growth through increased agricultural productivity, food security, and rural non-farm incomes and employment, while protecting the quality of the environment. GFADR’s program in SAR is central to achieving the Bank's Mission of reducing poverty given that: (i) the majority of the Region’s poor live and work in agriculture; (ii) the demand for food in the region is expected to significantly increase over the next decades; and (iii) the pressure on natural resources in rural areas is expected to worsen.

GFADR seeks an Agricultural Specialist to support its strategic, advisory, and operational work in Nepal. The Bank has a very active engagement on agriculture in Nepal, consisting of a significant portfolio of projects covering among other agricultural research, food security, agribusiness and value-chain development, and community driven development. There is a very active policy dialogue and close coordination with other development partners. Agriculture also figures highly in Nepal’s country partnership strategy.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities:
The Agricultural Specialist will assist the GFADR Practice Manager covering South-Asia in the delivery of the work program, assurance of quality, interaction with internal and external clients, including the private sector, staff development and partnerships. The primary responsibility of the Agriculture Specialist will be to provide technical and strategic support to the development and implementation of GFADR’s work program in Nepal. In doing so, s/he will work closely with the Country Director and the CMU, including the Global Practice Program Leader. In particular, the Agricultural Specialist will: • Contribute to policy dialogue on agricultural and rural issues and interactions with the client and partners, and alert management (both country and sector) to issues requiring attention; • Lead/initiate/participate in analytical and strategic work pertaining to agricultural growth and productivity, including work managed by GFADR and that managed by other GPs, but requiring input from agricultural staff, such as public expenditure analysis; • Assume an active role in the Nepal country team with the aim to ensure adequate and appropriate integration of relevant aspects of the agriculture and rural development agenda in core Bank products, including country assistance strategy, country economic memorandum and the like. • Contribute to, and where necessary take leadership of, key operations important to the agricultural sector, both within the portfolios within GFADR, and as cross-support to operations in other GPs. Assure timely delivery of these operations with high levels of quality; • Serve as an active member of the GFADR team in SAR, contributing to the Region’s strategic scale up of support for agricultural productivity. • Participate in collaborative and coordination efforts with local donors to optimize synergy with Bank supported projects and programs and to leverage IDA resources where feasible. • 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: Selection Criteria: • Postgraduate degree in Agricultural Sciences or related discipline; • A minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience in agriculture; • Strong technical and analytical skills in a range of issues of relevance to agriculture; • In-depth knowledge of the issues faced by smallholders participating in modern value chains; • 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 Nepal, and experience interacting with institutions involved in agriculture and rural development; • Familiarity with Bank procedures, directives, business practices and experience in identifying, preparing, appraising, and supervising operations, as a task team leader or team member; • 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 think innovatively and strategically to find balanced, pragmatic and implementable solutions; • High degree of discretion, ethics, tact and sensitivity in handling confidential and sensitive information; • Ability to work under pressure while retaining perspective and a sense of humor; • Very high level of energy, initiative and self-motivation, coupled with willingness to travel extensively and work under challenging conditions; • English essential. Competencies: • General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Possesses Cross-country knowledge in economic specialty and demonstrates ability to link the macro, institutional, and micro-level behaviors; able to support findings/policy recommendations with credible analysis and tools. • Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level. • Policy Dialogue Skills - Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners. • Integrative Skills - Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations. • Agricultural Economics - Deep understanding of most of the economic concepts used in agriculture, with significant experience. • Agriculture Policy, Strategy and Institutions - Solid understanding of agriculture policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations. • Project Design for Impact and Sustainability - IL - Contributes to the design of projects and programs, based on an understanding of the country and sector context. • Sector Dialogue - IL - Able to conduct a dialogue with the client on familiar topics, with a narrow scope, based on a solid understanding of the sector. • Operational Project Management - Demonstrates in depth knowledge and understanding of project management tools & methodologies, as well as of Bank instruments and processes related to project preparation & implementation, resource management, and stakeholder communications. • Operational Policies Application to the Project Cycle (fiduciary, disbursement, safeguard and GAC policies) - IL - Possesses a strong understanding of procurement and disbursement policies; knows what issues might arise and who to involve in problem resolution. • Team Leadership - Leads teams to achieve challenging outcomes, providing a role model and enhancing the team-leadership skills of team members. • Knowledge of Relevant Operational Policy and Associated Good Practices - DPL - Has a solid understanding of all aspects of OP 8.60 and associated Good Practice Notes; has experience in designing DPOs. • Knowledge of Relevant Bank Procedures and Associated Guidance - DPL - Has a solid understanding of all aspects of BP 8.60 and associated Good Practice Notes; has experience in designing DPOs. • ESW/TA Policy, Strategic and Technical Analysis for Country/Sector Issues - Participates fully in the production of quality AAA work and policy papers, leveraging relevant analytical tools and a grasp of issues surrounding policy and sector reform. • Client Orientation - Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge. • Drive for Results - Identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables. • Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Shows leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches. • Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels. • Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Gathers inputs, assesses risk, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Agricultural Specialist will assist the GFADR Practice Manager covering South-Asia in the delivery of the work program, assurance of quality, interaction with internal and external clients, including the private sector, staff development and partnerships. The primary responsibility of the Agriculture Specialist will be to provide technical and strategic support to the development and implementation of GFADR’s work program in Nepal. In doing so, s/he will work closely with the Country Director and the CMU, including the Global Practice Program Leader.

In particular, the Agricultural Specialist will:

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

• Lead/initiate/participate in analytical and strategic work pertaining to agricultural growth and productivity, including work managed by GFADR and that managed by other GPs, but requiring input from agricultural staff, such as public expenditure analysis;

• Assume an active role in the Nepal country team with the aim to ensure adequate and appropriate integration of relevant aspects of the agriculture and rural development agenda in core Bank products, including country assistance strategy, country economic memorandum and the like.

• Contribute to, and where necessary take leadership of, key operations important to the agricultural sector, both within the portfolios within GFADR, and as cross-support to operations in other GPs. Assure timely delivery of these operations with high levels of quality;

• Serve as an active member of the GFADR team in SAR, contributing to the Region’s strategic scale up of support for agricultural productivity.

• Participate in collaborative and coordination efforts with local donors to optimize synergy with Bank supported projects and programs and to leverage IDA resources where feasible.

• 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:

Selection Criteria:

• Postgraduate degree in Agricultural Sciences or related discipline;

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience in agriculture;

• Strong technical and analytical skills in a range of issues of relevance to agriculture;

• In-depth knowledge of the issues faced by smallholders participating in modern value chains;

• 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 Nepal, and experience interacting with institutions involved in agriculture and rural development;

• Familiarity with Bank procedures, directives, business practices and experience in identifying, preparing, appraising, and supervising operations, as a task team leader or team member;

• 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 think innovatively and strategically to find balanced, pragmatic and implementable solutions;

• High degree of discretion, ethics, tact and sensitivity in handling confidential and sensitive information;

• Ability to work under pressure while retaining perspective and a sense of humor;

• Very high level of energy, initiative and self-motivation, coupled with willingness to travel extensively and work under challenging conditions;

• English essential.

Competencies:

• General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Possesses Cross-country knowledge in economic specialty and demonstrates ability to link the macro, institutional, and micro-level behaviors; able to support findings/policy recommendations with credible analysis and tools.

• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level.

• Policy Dialogue Skills - Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners.

• Integrative Skills - Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations.

• Agricultural Economics - Deep understanding of most of the economic concepts used in agriculture, with significant experience.

• Agriculture Policy, Strategy and Institutions - Solid understanding of agriculture policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations.

• Project Design for Impact and Sustainability - IL - Contributes to the design of projects and programs, based on an understanding of the country and sector context.

• Sector Dialogue - IL - Able to conduct a dialogue with the client on familiar topics, with a narrow scope, based on a solid understanding of the sector.

• Operational Project Management - Demonstrates in depth knowledge and understanding of project management tools & methodologies, as well as of Bank instruments and processes related to project preparation & implementation, resource management, and stakeholder communications.

• Operational Policies Application to the Project Cycle (fiduciary, disbursement, safeguard and GAC policies) - IL - Possesses a strong understanding of procurement and disbursement policies; knows what issues might arise and who to involve in problem resolution.

• Team Leadership - Leads teams to achieve challenging outcomes, providing a role model and enhancing the team-leadership skills of team members.

• Knowledge of Relevant Operational Policy and Associated Good Practices - DPL - Has a solid understanding of all aspects of OP 8.60 and associated Good Practice Notes; has experience in designing DPOs.

• Knowledge of Relevant Bank Procedures and Associated Guidance - DPL - Has a solid understanding of all aspects of BP 8.60 and associated Good Practice Notes; has experience in designing DPOs.

• ESW/TA Policy, Strategic and Technical Analysis for Country/Sector Issues - Participates fully in the production of quality AAA work and policy papers, leveraging relevant analytical tools and a grasp of issues surrounding policy and sector reform.

• Client Orientation - Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.

• Drive for Results - Identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables.

• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Shows leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.

• Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels.

• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Gathers inputs, assesses risk, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term.

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Agricultural Specialist Entry Level

World Bank

Job Description