Background Information

The Bank has set up an Agriculture financing unit to effectively respond to the needs of agriculture sector growth. The Bank Agronomist provides technical expertise in the identification, appraisal, structuring and monitoring of agricultural projects submitted to the Bank for financing, with a focus on technical viability, commercial feasibility and climate resilience.

Main Responsibilities of the Job:

• Advise the Bank on the technical and commercial viability, as well as climate resilience, of agriculture and agribusiness projects to be financed.
• Monitor agriculture sector trends, value-chain developments, climate risks and policy shifts to advise the Bank on related risks and opportunities.
• Support the development of agriculture sector briefs, value-chain notes, product papers and financing proposals for priority agribusiness value chains.
• Identify and support pipeline creation for viable agribusiness projects across priority agriculture value chains.
• Conduct project appraisal and present proposals to the Bank organs for approval.
• Support the structuring of agriculture transactions, including production cycles, seasonality, input needs, cash flows, repayment schedules and risk mitigation measures.
• Monitor financed agriculture projects through field visits, technical reviews and portfolio assessments, and advise on early warning signals and corrective actions.
• Collect, analyze and interpret agriculture project data, including yields, soil conditions, farming practices, implementation progress and socio-economic impact indicators.
• Work closely with government agencies, agricultural institutions, extension officers, NGOs, development partners, PFIs and private-sector actors to identify opportunities, manage portfolio risks, build partnerships and enhance development impact.
• Resolve client queries and complaints to maintain the required standard of service delivery.
• Carry out any other assignment delegated by the line manager or Management of the Bank.

Performance Indicators

• Quality and completeness of technical agriculture project appraisal reports.
• Timely completion of field visits, technical reviews and project monitoring assignments.
• Accuracy and reliability of agriculture project data analysis and recommendations.
• Quality of advice provided on technical viability, climate resilience and risk mitigation.
• Effectiveness of support provided to agriculture pipeline development and transaction structuring.
• Timely resolution of client queries and complaints.

Working Relationships

• Agriculture Finance Unit and relevant BRD departments.
• Government agencies, agricultural institutions and extension officers.
• NGOs, development partners, PFIs and private-sector agriculture actors.
• Clients, cooperatives, producers, processors and agribusiness stakeholders.

Professional, Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in agronomy, agriculture, plant science or a related field, with at least three years of experience in designing, advising, structuring, managing or monitoring agriculture projects.
• Master’s degree in agriculture sciences is an added advantage.
• Experience and/or demonstrated knowledge of digital agricultural principles and precision farming technologies directed at agronomic and/or farming systems research.
• Demonstrated ability in building and managing client relationships.
• Ability to conduct due diligence, analysis and structuring of agribusiness projects.
• Demonstrated flexibility and success in rapidly changing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design, launch and scale new projects and initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and ability to work with deadlines.
• In-depth knowledge of crop production, soil science and pest management.

Core Competencies

• Strong agronomic, technical and field assessment skills.
• Good understanding of agriculture value chains, production systems and climate risks.
• Ability to interpret project data and provide practical technical recommendations.
• Strong due diligence, monitoring and portfolio review skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines and follow through on assignments.

• Advise the Bank on the technical and commercial viability, as well as climate resilience, of agriculture and agribusiness projects to be financed.
• Monitor agriculture sector trends, value-chain developments, climate risks and policy shifts to advise the Bank on related risks and opportunities.
• Support the development of agriculture sector briefs, value-chain notes, product papers and financing proposals for priority agribusiness value chains.
• Identify and support pipeline creation for viable agribusiness projects across priority agriculture value chains.
• Conduct project appraisal and present proposals to the Bank organs for approval.
• Support the structuring of agriculture transactions, including production cycles, seasonality, input needs, cash flows, repayment schedules and risk mitigation measures.
• Monitor financed agriculture projects through field visits, technical reviews and portfolio assessments, and advise on early warning signals and corrective actions.
• Collect, analyze and interpret agriculture project data, including yields, soil conditions, farming practices, implementation progress and socio-economic impact indicators.
• Work closely with government agencies, agricultural institutions, extension officers, NGOs, development partners, PFIs and private-sector actors to identify opportunities, manage portfolio risks, build partnerships and enhance development impact.
• Resolve client queries and complaints to maintain the required standard of service delivery.
• Carry out any other assignment delegated by the line manager or Management of the Bank.

• Strong agronomic, technical and field assessment skills.
• Good understanding of agriculture value chains, production systems and climate risks.
• Ability to interpret project data and provide practical technical recommendations.
• Strong due diligence, monitoring and portfolio review skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines and follow through on assignments.
• Demonstrated ability in building and managing client relationships.
• Ability to conduct due diligence, analysis and structuring of agribusiness projects.
• Demonstrated flexibility and success in rapidly changing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design, launch and scale new projects and initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and ability to work with deadlines.
• In-depth knowledge of crop production, soil science and pest management.

• Bachelor’s Degree in agronomy, agriculture, plant science or a related field.
• Master’s degree in agriculture sciences is an added advantage.
• Experience and/or demonstrated knowledge of digital agricultural principles and precision farming technologies directed at agronomic and/or farming systems research.