Senior Agricultural Officer at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) - Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Agricultural Officer

Location: Maputo, Mozambique
Employment Type: Full-time
Position Grade: LP5
Position Number: 50064457

The Complex

• The Agriculture, Human and Social Development (AHVP) Complex supports in implementing two of the five goals, namely “Feed Africa” and “Improve the Quality of Life for Africans”.
• The complex comprises four departments: (i) Agriculture and Agro-Industry Development (AHAI); (ii) Agriculture Finance and Rural Development (AHFR); (iii) Gender, Women and Civil Society (AHGC); and (iv) Water, Human and Social Development (AHWS).

The Hiring Department / Division

• The Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department provides support for the delivery of Feed Africa: Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa, 2016-2025. The strategy aims to end hunger and rural poverty in the next decade through self-sufficiency in 18 priority commodity value chains specific to the continent’s agro-ecological zones.
• Realizing the objectives set forth in the strategy requires increased productivity; value addition/processing; investment in infrastructure; an enabling agribusiness environment; capital flows; and inclusivity, sustainability and effective nutrition.
• The Department Supports the effort to transform African agricultural systems for greater competitiveness, inclusivity and sustainability, and for enhanced job creation and poverty reduction.

The Position

• As part of the RDGS, the Senior Agricultural Officer will contribute to the development and implementation of the Bank's strategies and projects/programmes, under the “FEED AFRICA" agricultural transformation agenda, in the regional member countries.
• He/she will be responsible for establishing dialogue with the public authorities of regional member countries, in particular with regard to the activities of the African Development Bank to support national and sectoral policies and reforms in the areas of agriculture, agro- industry, rural development, natural resource management and climate change.

Key Functions

• Under the technical supervision of the Division Manager, AHAI.6, and the direction of the Mozambique Country Manager, the Senior Agricultural Officer will perform the following functions:

Project Cycle Activities:

• Steer and contribute to the development of operational activities for project preparation in the agricultural and rural development sector, for Bank financing and defend his/her projects/programmes before the Bank's Board.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of the Bank's sector policies and strategies, including the conduct of economic and sector work, in the areas of agriculture, agro-industry, rural development, natural resource management and climate change.
• Provide continuing technical assistance and strategic advice to project management staff and professionals in Bank member countries on the proper application of the Bank's operational project administration procedures.
• Coordinate with the Bank's Finance Department and national partners in the processing of disbursement requests, management of audit missions and monitoring of the financial execution of projects.
• Monitor the effective implementation of all project phases, including the implementation of financing agreements, procurement management, monitoring of disbursements, regular audits, monitoring of progress reports, etc., while ensuring proper compliance with the rules and procedures applicable to Bank-financed operations
• Prepare Project Completion Reports (PCRs) in accordance with the Bank's Operations Manual.
• Organize and undertake field missions for the preparation, appraisal, supervision and control of Bank- financed projects and sector work.

Knowledge Management:

• Identify and use at strategic moments key experts (individuals and institutions) to support beneficiaries in the design and implementation of projects in the areas of agriculture, agro-industry, rural development, natural resource management and climate change.
• Help to create an enabling environment for knowledge management, in particular by (i) providing practical assistance for project implementation in order to achieve overall objectives, (ii) involving experts and resource persons in Africa, (iii) identifying innovative approaches, results and lessons learned from past experiences, (iv) ensuring rapid information sharing with national partners, (v) encouraging and supporting the dissemination of results at the level required for possible replication, (vi) ensuring the effective recruitment of consultants to undertake various knowledge management activities, etc.
• Contribute to the dissemination of information and ensure that lessons and recommendations are documented and quickly shared.
• Perform any task assigned by the line manager.

Partnerships and Dialogue:

• Contribute to coordination with national, regional and international partners.
• Represent the Bank in donor meetings, regional and international meetings, conferences, seminars and workshops on development issues.
• Establish sound communication between the various stakeholders.

Competencies
Skills, Experience and Knowledge:

• Hold at least a Master’s Degree in Agronomy or Rural Development with specialization in Agricultural Economics, or in related fields.
• Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Rural Development, Natural Resources Management and Climate Change or related fields.
• Have sound experience and a proven record in the design and implementation of social development investment projects.
• Good knowledge of the operational policies and programming practices of a multilateral organization.
• A good understanding of the challenges related to the development of agriculture, agro-industry, rural development, natural resource management and climate change in developing countries and proven experience in the policies, procedures and operational practices of major bilateral or multilateral development agencies in Africa and particularly in Southern Africa and the ability to work effectively in all sectors.
• Have a strong sense of initiative, be results-minded, team-oriented and demonstrate leadership skills.
• Be able to implement innovative approaches, work independently and apply new methods to solve problems, while remaining effective in a dynamic, evolving and demanding corporate environment. 
• Demonstrate a strong critical mind. 
• Be able to anticipate needs and demands and conduct independent policy discussions with government representatives, and support strategic thinking on the development of agriculture, agro-industry, rural development, natural resource management and climate change.
• Be able to accomplish a mission in a multicultural environment and collaborate within teams and with other departments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French; with a working knowledge of the other language. Communication proficiency in Portuguese is a requirement.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project). Knowledge of SAP would be an advantage.

Application Closing Date
28th June, 2024.