Title:  Senior Global Agriculture and Food Security Specialist

OVERVIEW

JOB PURPOSE

To provide senior technical advice and support to the Management in agriculture and food security. Advise management and staff on strategy and long-range interventions on portfolio, policy, operations and strategic partnerships. To support in conceiving, developing and promoting innovations in Bank Policy, operational procedures, project/program design in organization and management of operations in agriculture and food security in IsDB member countries. To provide support in formulating advisory services and technical guidance in matter related to agriculture and food security. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic & Operational Planning:

• Contribute to the preparation of key strategy papers, new programs and knowledge product development to ensure the unit is contributing to the overall goal of the bank.
• Undertake the analytical/economic and sector work (ESW) as well as sector dialogue during Member Country Partnership Strategy (MCPS) and Country Engagement Framework (CEF) and programming missions.
• Provide technical input to the development, review and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in agriculture and food security and Core Sector Indicators (CSIs) in IsDB financed projects in Member Countries to ensure the highest level of efficiency is achieved.
• Provide technical input for agriculture and food security teams on all strategic matters.

Sector Portfolio Management:

• Contribute to the quality throughout project lifecycle of IsDB financed projects to ensure all projects abide by the high-quality standards demanded by the Bank.
• Provide necessary technical guidance for project implementation and oversee preparation of Project Completion Reports (PCRs).
• Contribute in monitoring project implementation in order to ensure its successful implementation or take corrective measures if necessary.
• Participate in the agriculture and food security Portfolio Performance Review (SPPR) and Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR).
• Participate in Quality Assurance and review meetings for the Bank’s projects in agriculture and food security to ensure complete understanding of the agriculture and food security environment.

Policies, Processes and Procedures:

• Contribute to the design, review and implementation of the IsDB's policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the sector interventions to ensure alignment with local and industry standards.
• Ensure compliance with IsDB’s policies and guidelines to ensure quality in the operational work in agriculture and food security as well as maintaining good working relationships with various clients.

Knowledge Sharing & Innovation:

• Contribute to IsDB knowledge repository by documenting best practices and lessons learned.
• Share knowledge as subject matter expert related to sector issues to enhance a knowledge sharing culture across the Bank that would allow it to create more value.
• Use innovative approaches in conceptualizing, designing and implementing projects and programs to ensure best practices are used and adapted to sector projects and programs.
• Collaborate with other pillars/sectoral teams to ensure dissemination of tailored knowledge and expertise to support project implementation, ensuring that cross-cutting issues such as capacity development, women’s empowerment, and social/environmental issues related to agriculture and food security are adequately addressed.
• Share key knowledge and learning outcomes with the Knowledge Management and Institutional Learning Unit in areas related to the sector.
• Participate in and contribute to regional and international events/forums on agriculture and food security to stay abreast with the latest development in the sector.
• Contribute to strategic partnership development with the international institutions to synergize the knowledge products preparation, technology reviews, issues, innovations and solutions. 

ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Reporting & Communication:

• Prepare a range of key policy documents, sector briefs, regional studies, operational guidelines, presentations, etc. related to the sector.
• Provide the sector’s input to the Bank’s periodical publications such as the Annual Report, the Annual Development Effectiveness Report (ADER), etc.
• Engage, communicate and collaborate with the broader teams in the Bank, especially with the Regional Hubs to advice on sectoral issues in the member countries.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in agriculture engineering, food security, agriculture economics, or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years’ professional experience in agriculture engineering, food security, agriculture economics, of which, 3 years of experience working with IFIs/Development agencies/UN organizations.
• Languages: English: Mandatory | Arabic: Preferred | French: Preferred

SKILLS & NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of agriculture and food security situation and trends in member countries and worldwide.
• Experience in conceptualizing and managing agriculture and food security projects/ programs.
• Project management skills.
• Analytical (sector analysis, diagnostic studies and country context analysis).
• Results development management.

ABOUT APPLICATION PROCESS

If you meet the criteria and you are enthusiastic about the role, we would welcome your application. To complete the application you would need the following document(s):

• Resume/CV
• Copy of passport
• Academic certificate

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the IsDB does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts. The IsDB declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job posts or job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever.