Agriculture Specialist

Job #: req36733
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Agriculture
Grade: GF
Term Duration:  3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Bamako,Mali
Required Language(s): french and english
Preferred Language(s): french and english
Closing Date: 6/6/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions and fifteen Global Practices and five Global Themes to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.
The World Bank consists of two entities – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. For more information, www.worldbank.org.
Western and Central Africa Region (AFW)
 In West and Central Africa, the World Bank is a leading partner with a growing portfolio of 306 projects totaling more than $62.9 billion in areas such as agriculture, trade and transport, energy, education, health, water, and sanitation- all to support job creation, gender equality, poverty reduction, and better lives. Across the continent, the World Bank’s program has nearly doubled over the last 10 years. By 2030, about 87% of the world’s extreme poor are projected to live in Sub-Saharan Africa, so this is where our mission to end extreme poverty and to promote shared prosperity will be achieved.
Are you ready to make an impact? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our innovative and diverse team.  https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa.
The Africa West and Central Planet Department, The Africa West and Central Planet Department (SAWDR) provide a wide range of financial, knowledge and convening services to help address most complex development issues of the 22 countries it covers across the region.  The AFW Planet Department is led by the Regional Practice Director and consists of three global practices (GPs); Agriculture and Food, Environment and Blue Economy, and Water, and lead on Climate as well as Environmental and Social safeguards. The Department has a robust commitment in the region, including in the last fiscal year an active portfolio of $13.27 billion in financing for 64 projects, with 19 additional operations under preparation for an indicative commitment of $2 billion.  Our knowledge program is extensive and provided through a mix of Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA), including Reimbursable Advisory Services.  The AFW Planet Department also innovates in the use of World Bank financial instruments and partnerships, working in close collaboration with IFC and MIGA.

Farming and Agribusiness (FAB) in Mali.  Agriculture is central to Mali’s economy, accounting for 30–33% of GDP and providing livelihoods for 70–80% of the workforce, mostly through smallholder and family farms. The government’s agricultural strategy is guided by the National Agricultural Development Policy (PDA), the “Vision Mali Kura 2063,” and the National Strategy for Emergence and Sustainable Development (SNEDD 2024–2033), aiming to drive economic transformation, secure food sovereignty, reduce poverty, and build resilience to climate and security shocks. Key priorities include ensuring food security, achieving self-sufficiency in staple crops, expanding and modernizing irrigation, boosting productivity and competitiveness of value chains, strengthening farmer organizations, and enhancing research, extension, and digital advisory services. Due to Mali’s vulnerability to climate variability, policies increasingly focus on climate information services, drought-tolerant crop varieties, water harvesting, and sustainable land management. Over the past five years, the World Bank has supported Mali’s agriculture sector with several major projects: PRAPS II-Mali ($60MN), which strengthens pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods by improving animal health, rangeland and water management, livestock mobility, and market access; the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP-Mali, $60MN), addressing systemic food security risks through climate-smart agriculture, early warning systems, risk management, and support for cereal and rice value chains; the Livestock Development Support Project (PADDEL, $60MN), targeting sedentary livestock systems to increase productivity and commercialization of meat, milk, poultry, aquaculture, and related value chains, while fostering private investment and job creation; and PDAZAM, which focuses on arid and semi-arid regions to improve dryland crop productivity, diversify production, enhance access to inputs and infrastructure, and build resilience for poor and vulnerable rural households.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Practice Manager for SAWA4 unit, the Agriculture Specialist will contribute the delivery of the units work program in Mali, ensuring full alignment with the new WBG AgriConnect initiative and related targets. Specifically, s/he will lead task teams to deliver impactful projects and strategic advisory and analytical tasks, while working closely with the Task Team Leaders (TTLs), Practice Manager, the Division Director, and the Mali Country Team. 

The Agriculture Specialist will report to the relevant FAB Practice Manager and will be responsible for the following core functions:

• Support the implementation of FAB strategic approach to food security and agribusiness in Mali, serving as a team member and as required lead activities as Task Team Leader, both in agriculture  multi-sectoral operations, assuring quality in all stages of the project cycle.
• Provide policy advice to government counterparts on agriculture, food security, agribusiness development, climate smart agriculture, and rural transformation, and Support sustained policy dialogue with clients and regional institutions on agri food system reform priorities.
• Work with the Country Management Unit (CMU) and the FAB team  to identify opportunities and solutions  for  addressing agricultural and agribusiness challenges in Mali as part of the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework (CPF), country policy dialogue, sector investment operations, budget support operations, and other multi-sectoral projects.
• Identify innovative opportunities or ways to address food insecurity in general and improved food crisis preparedness in Mali, including bringing in experience from within the country and from other countries within Africa or elsewhere.
• Remain current with relevant major pieces of analytical work in the profession. Lead or participate in analytical activities in Mali or on a sub-regional level, and work with teams engaged in analytical work relevant to SAWA4's work program in Mali.
• Represent the World Bank in fora involving the community of development partners. Provide support, either explicit or implicit, to the work of the development partners in the sector.
• As necessary, represent the World Bank and the FAB management at events with sectoral focus that take place in Mali and in the region.
• Support coordination with development partners and contribute to donor harmonization and alignment.
• Work closely with colleagues from other Global Practices (e.g., Water, Environment, Social Protection, Finance, Governance) and with IFC and MIGA to support integrated solutions.
• Contribute to upstream coordination and joint engagements across the World Bank Group.
• Contribute to knowledge products, communities of practice, and learning activities, and support dissemination of lessons learned and good practices across countries and regions.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior staff and consultants, and Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and high performing team culture

Selection Criteria

• Candidates must demonstrate professional excellence, outstanding oral and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to convert strategic thinking into practical solutions.  The following specific criteria will also apply:

• A master’s degree or PhD in agricultural and resource economics, agribusiness, agriculture or closely related discipline

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, agribusiness, and other disciplines related to food systems, working with governments and multiple stakeholders (e.g. private sector, development partners, professional and community organizations).

• Strong technical and analytical skills and the capacity to lead discussions on policy reforms at high levels. 

• Solid understanding of agri food value chains, sector policies, and investment challenges to unlock growth and jobs in developing countries, 

• In-depth knowledge of the issues faced by smallholder farmers in agricultural value chains in Mali and across AFW region, and possible scalable solutions to improve their participations

• Effective verbal, analytical and written communication skills in English and French, and a demonstrated ability to produce high-quality documents and analytical reports.

• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and team skills with ability to think innovatively and strategically to find balanced, pragmatic and implementable solutions.

• Ability to identify problems and translate knowledge into innovative and concrete solutions, while maintaining strong client focus. 

• Familiarity with World Bank or comparable development institutions’ operational processes is an advantage.

• Self-motivated with the ability to work under pressure and challenging conditions, and willingness to travel extensively.

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

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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