Senior Sustainable Agribusiness Specialist- Nairobi, Kenya

Job #:	131707
Title:	Senior Sustainable Agribusiness Specialist
Job Stream:	Technical Assistance & Advisory Services
Location:	Nairobi, Kenya
Closing Date:	09/01/2013
Background / General description:
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. We create opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We do so by providing financing to help businesses employ more people and supply essential services, by mobilizing capital from others, and by delivering advisory services to ensure sustainable development.  IFC’s Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) teams work with companies to adopt responsible business practices which transform markets and improve people's lives. We work with a range of industrial sectors including agribusiness, infrastructure, oil, gas, mining, services and manufacturing. Support to the development of sustainable agri-business is central to IFC’s program in Sub-Saharan Africa. Increasingly agribusiness companies in the region are faced with a multitude of different pressures including the need to be profitable whilst at the same time addressing and engaging in issues such as poverty, climate change and food security. To support clients address these issues, IFC is looking to recruit a Sustainable Agriculture Specialist to advise IFC and its clients on how to do business in a way that provides opportunities for small holders, generates decent work and jobs, respects human rights and protects the environment.  The position can be based in Nairobi or Johannesburg. Candidates are invited to indicate their preferred location in their motivational letter and CV. IFC will accommodate personal preferences as much as business needs allow. The position will report to the SBA Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The overall role of this post will be to develop and drive a sustainable agri-business program for SBA which provides high quality, appropriate solutions to national and international clients. The Sustainable Agribusiness Specialist will work in close coordination with global and regional 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 related advisory projects in the region. S/he will also be an active member of the core Global Industry Practice Group and support and develop global projects and programs in other regions as requested.  The specific duties of this post will include: Program Development and Implementation Strategic: Develop a three year agribusiness business plan for SBA and contribute to the Sub-Saharan Africa agriculture strategy and its implementation.  Technical: Develop technical solutions for agribusiness clients and serve as the industrial specialist for SBA on key commodities (coffee, cocoa, forestry, palm and tea); work with existing and prospective clients to develop sound sustainable business solutions and develop and implement SBA’s program on sustainable supply chains, which will involve helping clients strengthen their work with small holders and out-growers. . Support IFC investment officers develop a portfolio of sustainable agri-business clients: Work closely with IFC’s agri-business and manufacturing teams to support them develop appropriate program that have a positive development impact, improve the livelihoods of small holders and address key environmental issues.  . Organize meetings with IFC’s investment and advisory teams to support development and implementation of a comprehensive program for sustainable agribusiness in Sub-Saharan Africa: Set up regular meetings for internal stakeholders to shape IFC’s agenda on sustainable agri-business. SBA is the focal point for all of IFC’s advisory work on agri-business which includes SBA, investment climate, access to finance and Private Public Partnerships.  . People Management: Mentor, support and supervise the team of project leaders and support staff to set and achieve targets; be responsible for recruitment and on-boarding of new staff, facilitate knowledge sharing among staff members and support program team members to develop professional skills and expertise. . Project and Portfolio Management: Set yearly program/project targets and ensure effective implementation of the projects in terms of activities, timeline, budget and expected impact. This includes technical guidance, supervision and quality control from project start-up, through to implementation, closure, evaluation under IFC’s M&E framework and project management policies, including the review and the sign-off of all supervision and project closure reports. . Budget Preparation: Prepare annual budgets and regular cash forecasts, and manage funds so that financial targets are achieved.  . Fundraising: Work with the regional manager formulating the SSA strategy related to agribusiness, and assume responsibility for fund raising in collaboration with the Regional Donor Coordinator. . Communication: Draft and circulate regular communications on client and program performance.  . Relationship Management with sustainable agribusiness stakeholders: Liaise with IFC and WBG internal stakeholders active in Inclusive Supply Chain and Community Engagement; represent IFC externally to relevant global and regional industry players, international organizations and donors.
Selection Criteria:
• Masters level degree in sustainable agriculture or equivalent. • 7+years of relevant client work experience in agribusiness in Africa. • Demonstrated technical expertise in establishing sustainable supply chains. • Understanding of how markets, especially in developing countries, function and ability to provide informed insights about the role of the private sector in addressing sustainable agri-business. • Experience in writing project proposals, logical frameworks and budgets • Excellent communication skills in English, and the ability to present ideas and information clearly and concisely; candidates with French or Portuguese language skills have a competitive advantage. • Experience managing complex projects, monitoring programs, and reporting on a project cycle basis.  • Excellent organizational and people management skills. • Ability to operate successfully in a multicultural environment, and to develop and maintain effective relations with a large, and diversified group of internal and external stakeholders.

http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/Careers_Ext_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/IFC%20Careers/Career%20Opportunities/CareerOpportunityPlaceHolder?JobReqNo=131707