ET Consultant
Job #:
req39171
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Agriculture
Grade:
EC2
Term Duration:
1 year 0 months
Recruitment Type:
Local Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
11/15/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
VPU Context:
The Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) region is one of the seven regions where the WB is delivering support to client countries. The AFE is home to almost 60% of Africa's population and comprises 26 countries that are geographically, culturally, and economically diverse, stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South. AFE boasts some of the world's richest natural resources, including minerals that will be critical to low carbon development, and rivers and forests that provide critical ecosystem services and provide the foundations for socio-economic development. While signs of economic transformation are emerging in several AFE countries, driven by a vibrant private sector that is supported by a young and dynamic population, the economic growth remains low in many countries - despite the huge potential. Key challenges include persistent inequality and limited access to productive employment, heavy debt burdens exacerbated by slow growth, low agricultural productivity, weak infrastructure, low human capital and limited resilience to climate change and conflict. These factors create a huge development challenge, affect the lives and livelihoods of people, and hinder regional integration and trade. But they also creates an opportunity to work closely with country leaders, civil society, development partners, and young people to chart a brighter course for the future.
Unit Context:
Agriculture and Food Practice (AGF) takes a leading role in helping client countries to leverage the agriculture and food system to address some of the most important development objectives in client countries, including food security, creating more and better jobs, expanding exports and building a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food system. The AGF support in AFE includes a rich portfolio of lending operations using diverse instruments, analytical and advisory services (ASA), robust policy reforms support through lending operations and ASAs, etc. The portfolio is complemented by lending, ASAs, Development Policy Operations (DPOs) managed by other Global Practices of the WB and support to the private sector through instruments managed by IFC and MIGA. The AGF practice in AFE is organized into two units - SAEA2 and SAEA3 - each covering about half of AFE countries. The SAEA2 unit covers three Country Management Unit (CMU) clusters: (i) Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Burundi, São Tomé and Príncipe; (ii) Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia; and (iii) Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The (SAEA2) seeks an ETC to support strategic analytical work through a Programmatic ASA to support AgriConnect and impact evaluation of digital agriculture innovations in Uganda agriculture sector. The work is comprised of two major tasks funded through collaboration with Korea - in particular TFs from KWPF and KGGTF. The first is the US$1.5 million KWPF-financed ASA, "From Intelligence to Impact" (P508786), covering AI advisory, impact evaluation, soil and land management monitoring, and related knowledge products. Its work also includes a global dMRV report, MAAIF e-extension advice, and Korea knowledge exchange. The second is a US$1.5 million KGGTF precision agriculture program integrating field sensors, satellite imagery, soil and weather data, and AI advisory.
The consultant will provide economic analysis, technical design, and implementation support to SAEA2 task teams, working with government counterparts, DIME, and technology partners. The role requires independent research judgment and specialist evidence synthesis. It combines impact evaluation, assessment of digital technologies, and implementation support to help government counterparts translate evidence into program design and delivery.
• Support analytical and technical delivery across both programs. Under the guidance of the TTL, support trust fund workplans, budgets, consultant inputs, deliverables, and reporting. Prepare terms of reference, review outputs, monitor implementation and spending, and resolve issues with the task teams.
• Contribute to implementation arrangements for the precision agriculture program. Test whether sensors and complementary data support irrigation and nutrient recommendations. Examine costs, farmer adoption, maintenance, and links among farmers, plots, and environmental observations. Assess technical performance and cost-effectiveness to guide future expansion.
• Prepare completion of the ASA's global report on AI-enabled digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (dMRV) for soil and land management and payments for ecosystem services. Integrate portfolio analysis, country experience, and technical evidence. Assess verification requirements, incentive design, costs, and financing implications.
• Lead technical assistance to develop and field-test a limited UCSATP monitoring prototype. Establish practice-specific evidence and timing requirements using field records, geotagged photographs, plot boundaries, and remote sensing. Assess reliability, verification costs, and where field checks remain necessary.
• Provide technical assistance on MAAIF's e-extension needs and existing systems. Assess advisory content, language and accessibility, quality assurance, and institutional responsibilities. Recommend feasible integration of AI advisory before proposing new development.
• Lead ASA-side design and implementation of the AI advisory impact evaluation with DIME and government counterparts. Develop research questions, treatment protocols, sampling and power analysis, surveys, and implementation monitoring. Analyze and interpret results when available.
• Organize the Korea study tour, technical exchanges, and dissemination. Prepare analytical notes, practical guidance, and presentations translating emerging findings into recommendations for government and operational teams.
Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in agricultural economics, development economics, or a related discipline is required. A PhD is preferred and would be an asset (equivalent to three years of experience).
• At least eight years of relevant experience in agricultural economics, policy analysis, or development operations.
• Strong applied econometrics and impact evaluation skills, including research design, survey data analysis, and proficiency in Stata or R.
• Experience translating analysis into agricultural policy or operational decisions, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Relevant experience in digital agriculture, AI advisory, soil and land management, or environmental incentive programs, with sound judgment on technical and institutional feasibility.
• Demonstrated ability to lead analytical work and assess specialist inputs while coordinating consultants, government counterparts, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with a record of rigorous analysis and clear communication to technical and policy audiences.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.
