Senior Agriculture Economist

Senior Agriculture Economist Job #: req35518 Organization: World Bank Sector: Agriculture Grade: GG Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire Required Language(s): English and French Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 2/10/2026 (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, visit 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 302 projects totaling more than $56.4 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 $14.3 billion in financing for 70 projects, with 15 additional operations under preparation for an indicative commitment of $3 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.
Agriculture and Food in Cote d’ Ivoire 

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic and social advancement, with the nation ranking among the world’s top exporters of commodities such as cocoa, cashew, and rubber. The sector not only accounts for a significant share of export earnings but also serves as the primary source of income for many of the country’s lowest-income households, particularly those residing in rural communities, supported by robust and sustained demand for agricultural products. In addition to ongoing global demand for export crops like cocoa, cashew, cotton, and rubber, there is considerable domestic and regional demand for food crops, driven by a projected national population of 50 million by 2050 and a regional market of 900 million people.  Over the past decade, the World Bank supported implementation of the countries National Agricultural Investment Plans through diverse policy and investment operations, as well as analytics and technical assistance. The World Bank agriculture portfolio in recent years includes several flagship operations that support valuechain development, competitiveness, and food security. The AgriFood Sector Development Project (P171613 – US$250M) focuses on strengthening the cassava, horticulture, and aquaculture value chains, improving SPS systems, enhancing the business environment, and mobilizing privatesector investment. The recently closed Cashew Value Chain Competitiveness Project (P158810 – US$200M) contributed to boosting cashew processing, strengthen competitiveness, and create jobs. In addition, ongoing cocoa sector policy engagement promotes climatesmart cocoa production, sustainable farming practices, improved pricing systems, and reduced deforestation.  Duties & Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Practice Manager for SAWA4 unit, the Senior Agriculture Specialist/Economist will lead the delivery of the units work program in Cote d’Ivoire, ensuring full alignment with the new WBG Agri Connect 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 Practice Manager, the Division Director, and the Cote d’ Ivoire Country Team. The specific responsibilities will include:

• Lead the design, preparation, and supervision of operation projects as Task Team Leader (TTL) or core team member, while leveraging appropriate instruments (such as Development Policy Operations, s, Investment Project Financing, Programs for Results, and trust funds) and ensuring high-quality in all stages of the project cycle (identification, preparation, appraisal, supervision, and completion).• Provide technical guidance to position the agriculture food systems in country programs, including designing innovative solutions to create jobs in agriculture value chains in close collaboration with IFC and MIGA. • Lead or contribute as a core team member in the delivery of advisory and analytical activities while ensuring quality in all stages, including conceptualization, preparation of reports and knowledge products, dissemination, etc. • Contribute to strategic agricultural policy reforms dialogue with clients and position key sector reforms in development policy lending programs. • Assume an active role in the CMU to ensure adequate and appropriate integration of relevant aspects of the agriculture and agribusiness agenda in core Bank products, including country partnership frameworks, strategic country diagnostics, and country economic memoranda.

• Support the integration of agriculture interventions in Planet programs, including on water, sustainable land management, environment and blue economy as well as Climate related programs, while working closely with the Planet leadership team and the clients.• Actively engage with the client, stakeholders, and development partners and represent the Agriculture and Food team at relevant events and speaking engagements.

• Serve as focal point for Farming and Agribusiness in Cote d’Ivoire through close collaboration with the Country Team and liaison with the CMU.• Respond to ad-hoc information requests, including briefings to management and external parties on the agriculture and agribusiness sector.

• Provide mentoring, advice and support to the task team supporting the Farming and Agribusiness program.

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 in agricultural and resource economics, agribusiness, agriculture or closely related discipline• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, agribusiness, and other disciplines related to food systems.

• Ability to identify problems and translate knowledge into innovative and concrete solutions, while maintaining strong client focus.• Strong technical and analytical skills and the capacity to lead discussions on policy reforms at high levels.

• In-depth knowledge of the issues faced by smallholders in agricultural value chains and the potential of agriculture value chains to address core development objectives in the AFW region, including jobs.• Effective verbal, analytical and written communication skills in English and Portuguese, 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.• High degree of ethics, tact, diplomacy, political judgement, negotiating skills and sensitivity in working in a multi-cultural setting.

• 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.