Senior Industry Specialist
Johannesburg, South Africa
JOB DETAIL
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
To support this work, IFC is seeking to employ a Senior Industry Specialist on Primary agriculture and agronomy, specializing in all aspects of grains, oilseeds and horticulture (and if possible poultry and livestock) and produce marketing activities. The scope includes potential investees’ agronomy and farming/operational practice assessment, assessment on cost of production (vs. import/export parity prices), and value chain analysis. The specialist also leads institutional knowledge on farm inputs distribution and manufacturing (seeds, crop protection products, fertilizers, irrigation equipment and farm machinery) and keep abreast to latest trends in digitization and precision agriculture. IFC Industry Specialists play a key role within the investment teams and provide broad and in-depth industry knowledge to assess new investment companies and conduct detailed on-site due diligence, as well as performing supervision and value-addition of portfolio investments. IFC’s Advisory/Upstream teams might tap into the specialist’s knowledge/expertise.
The employment contract will be on a renewable term appointment. However, if the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, she/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment.
Duties & Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Contribute to the development and delivery of IFC’s agribusiness strategies and investment program working closely with the investment teams.
• Working closely with the sector lead and regional investment teams, conduct due diligence to assess project strengths and weaknesses, and provide investment teams with an appraisal report and operational parameters to be built into financial models.
• Work closely with Climate Business team to make sure all projects are assessed for Paris Alignment, decarbonization strategies, and climate transition risk and physical risk assessments; use and develop GHG monitoring tools to assess projects.
• Participate in the investment committee meetings and respond to the committee’s questions .
• Support the review of advisory/upstream services proposals.
• Provide industry and best practice advice to internal – IFC and WBG colleagues – and external clients and add value to new business development activities and portfolio monitoring, as well as to advisory services projects.
• Assist in the selection, briefing and supervision of technical consultants engaged on due diligence.
• Participate in conferences and seminars and other events representing IFC and as appropriate to maintaining and building sector knowledge.
Selection Criteria
• Commitment to IFC and the World Bank Group’s mission, strategy, and values.
• 20 years + years of operational experience in agricultural primary production at operational and management levels.
• Minimum master’s degree.
• Sound knowledge of current industry and sector operating parameters to permit comparative cost analysis and benchmarking.
• Sound knowledge and experience in delivering sustainability solutions to the agribusiness sector.
• Sound business judgment and proven track record of investment screening and assessment.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills and ability to write technical appraisal reports in a timely manner, also with French language a plus.
• Ability to work effectively in teams and build bridges across organizational boundaries.
• Passion for the sector and results driven with energy, initiative, and self-motivation.
• Willingness to undertake extensive international travel in emerging markets.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
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.
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