Job Announcement

Country Representative – Vegetable Scientist 

The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) is a non-profit, autonomous international agricultural research center with headquarters in Taiwan and five regional offices around the globe. WorldVeg conducts research and development programs that contribute to realizing the potential of vegetables for healthier lives and more resilient livelihoods. For more information, please visit our website: worldveg.org

WorldVeg seeks applications from dynamic and highly innovative candidates to lead the center’s country program in Mali as Country Representative-Vegetable Scientist. The incumbent will be based in the Mali Country Office at Samanko. Her/his role includes representing WorldVeg nationally, building partnerships, overseeing the Mali office, and contributing to research that supports the organization’s global goals. The incumbent will report to the Regional Director for West and Central Africa, based in the Cotonou Regional Office in Benin. 

Key Responsibilities 

As Country Representative (60%) 

1. Representation and Leadership

• Represent WorldVeg to government institutions, donors, development partners, and other stakeholders in Mali.
• Promote WorldVeg’s mission, visibility, and strategic priorities at the national level.
• Collaborate with the Regional Director for West and Central Africa (RD-WCA) to implement WorldVeg’s strategic plan in Mali.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development

• Maintain productive relationships with government ministries, host institutions, research and extension agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership aligned with WorldVeg’s goals.
• Monitor national policies, development agendas, and emerging opportunities relevant to WorldVeg’s work.

3. Country Office Management

• Lead the WorldVeg Mali office to ensure a professional, inclusive, safe, and high-performance work environment.
• Supervise country staff and manage HR functions, including staff development, performance evaluation, and succession planning.
• Oversee compliance with financial, administrative, and procurement policies and procedures.

4. Risk Management and Governance

• Ensure compliance with national laws and WorldVeg’s internal policies.
• Lead risk assessment and mitigation planning related to Mali operations.
• Ensure operational continuity and crisis preparedness.

5. Resource Mobilization and Program Growth

• Support the development of project proposals and funding strategies.
• Engage with donors and partners to secure financial support for ongoing and new initiatives.

 As a Vegetable Scientist (40%) 

1. Research Planning and Implementation

• Design and lead research in thematic areas such as vegetable seed systems, sustainable production systems, socioeconomic aspects of vegetable farming, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and vegetable business development.
• Coordinate the implementation of research activities in collaboration with national and regional partners.
• Ensure scientific rigor, relevance, and alignment with WorldVeg’s research agenda.

2. Project and Technical Oversight

• Manage research project lifecycles, including planning, budgeting, execution, and reporting.
• Supervise field trials, data collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings.
• Support quality assurance and compliance in research project implementation.

3. Capacity Strengthening and Knowledge Sharing

• Train and mentor researchers, extension agents, and local stakeholders in research methods and technical practices.
• Promote knowledge exchange among WorldVeg teams and external partners across regions.
• Contribute to the scientific and technical capacity of local institutions.

4. Scientific Communication and Proposal Development

• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and prepare technical reports, policy briefs, and outreach materials.
• Contribute to proposal development by providing scientific input and participating in donor engagement.
• Participate in national and international scientific fora to present research and enhance institutional visibility.

Required Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies: 

• A Malian national with fluency in French and English (written and spoken).
• MSc or PhD in Agricultural Sciences, Plant Sciences, Development Studies, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership in research or development organizations.
• Strong record of research outputs and managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Expertise in vegetable systems research or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization and proposal development.
• The ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with government bodies, research institutions, NGOs, donors, and private sector actors, both nationally and regionally.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams and drive progress toward strategic goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to gender equity, environmental sustainability, and staff mentoring.

The Reward:

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position with competitive pay and benefits. The initial appointment is for three years and may be extended depending on funding availability and performance of the incumbent. 

The candidate we hire will embody WorldVeg’s Five Core Values: 

1.   Dedication to Innovation and Knowledge Sharing	Supports the conduct of world-class science, respects ethical standards, and is committed to sharing results in a transparent manner.
2.   Commitment to Impact	Aspires to achieve positive, tangible, and lasting impact, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals.
3.   Commitment to Partnerships	Believes in the value of partnerships to advance research for development.
4.   Respect for People	Respect the diversity of gender, culture, ethnic origin, religion, age, beliefs, and views.
5.   Respect for the Environment	Strives to minimize its environmental impact and to introduce greener technology and practices.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a letter of application explaining their suitability for and interest in the position along with a latest curriculum vitae, a recent passport-size photograph, names, and addresses (including telephone/fax/email) of three referees to [email protected] before 30 July 2025. Please mention the position title in the subject line. All applications will be acknowledged; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.