ASM Mining Specialist

Job #:
req38265

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Mining/Geology

Grade:
GF

Term Duration:
3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English, French

Preferred Language(s):
Spanish

Closing Date:
9/20/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Infrastructure Vice Presidency (INF VPU)

The WBG Infrastructure Vice Presidency is responsible for getting the right public and private sector solutions for our operational teams and to our clients, and to produce scalable impact. Its mandate is to deliver financing and knowledge for impact to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in support of our mission and specifically: providing guidance on creating more and better jobs; supporting foundational infrastructure and human capital, policy environment, and private sector mobilization; focusing on agribusiness, healthcare, infrastructure, manufacturing, and tourism; and support and accelerate specific targets such as M300, Health 1.5bn, and SP 500. The VPU's objectives in driving outcomes include replicating and scaling effective solutions, enhancing thought leadership and innovation, and delivering timely knowledge to client teams.

For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure

WBG Metals and Minerals Department (KIMDR)

The global mining sector continues to evolve rapidly. Urbanization, agriculture, digitalization, and a soaring need for energy could double the demand for critical minerals by 2040. For many countries, meeting this demand presents a significant opportunity to create jobs and growth. Mining can generate substantial government revenue through taxes, royalties, and state equity stakes that fund schools, clinics, infrastructure, and digital services. With the right policies and safeguards, mining can progress from a purely extractive industry to one that includes manufacturing and processing. This progress ensures that value and jobs stay local with a long-lasting impact.

The INF VPU's Metals and Minerals (M&M) Department of the WBG (KIMDR) is responsible for the implementation of the WBG's M&M Global Strategy. A core focus of this strategy is the implementation of country partnerships (or compacts). Those partnerships' key objective is to unlock the potential for economic transformation and development in mineral resources rich countries, by enhancing beneficiation in countries along minerals value chains (exploration, processing and refining). KIMDR houses a joint IBRD-IFC team of about 55 staff. It is a dynamic and diverse team recognized for its professional excellence and commitment to teamwork, both of which are necessary to deliver a large and complex program of assistance. KIMDR includes technical experts responsible for the design and implementation of WBG operations and knowledge activities in mining at both global and country levels and organized within several units. One of those units houses the metals and minerals policy and regulation team (KIMPR).

The objective of KIMPR is to provide technical advice and support on cutting-edge policy, analytical work, and investment lending preparation and implementation for government clients, often resulting in financing to support developing countries transform their natural resource wealth into sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economic development, consistent with climate mitigation goals.

WBG M&M Department ASM Activities and Portfolio

The WBG has supported client countries over the last 5 decades to better regulate and professionalize artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). In 2024, the WBG published a review of its assistance to ASM, and provided a renewed framework for the institution's engagement on the topic. In 2025, the WBG adopted a new Metals and Minerals Strategy which includes specific attention to ASM regulation.

The Metals and Minerals Department has been engaging, on a demand-driven basis, with country clients on the implementation of its new ASM support framework. Currently, West Africa and Latin America are the core focus (Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Peru) with opportunities emerging in East Africa. Demand is increasing across several regions where country clients see the need for well-regulated ASM as a means to improve jobs, increase domestic revenue mobilization and reduce environmental and social risks.

Strategic partnerships are essential to maximizing potential impacts of WBG assistance, with emphasis on the need for public and private sector support to governments. The WBG is already piloting strategic partnerships in ASM gold with both the World Gold Council and the Intergovernmental Forum on Metals, Minerals and Sustainable Development. Opportunities exist in other minerals with demand in cobalt, lithium, tungsten, tantalum and tin.

In addition to country engagements, the Metals and Minerals Department is committed to knowledge generation as a means to quantify the contribution that ASM makes to the global minerals market. To that end, it launched in 2016 a global database, Delve, which is a global public good dedicated to sharing data and research on ASM. In 2025, a functional review of the database provided a roadmap to sharpen user experiences and bring the database into the new digital era with functional changes underway.

NOTE: This position is financed by a Trust Fund and renewal is contingent upon availability of funding, in addition to other factors, including but not limited to business needs, staff performance and skills fit.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will play a key team role to advance the ASM agenda, both in country operations and in knowledge generation.

Specifically, the candidate will:
• Manage Delve, including identification of knowledge priorities with external stakeholders, development of key communication materials in partnership with relevant WBG communications colleagues, and ensure timely delivery of activities.
• Lead and pioneer tools in country engagements that support governments' ability to assess, identify and develop policy and regulatory solutions to ASM challenges.
• Support the management of existing strategic partnerships and support the development of new ones based on clear needs and opportunities
• Work with, and across, regional M&M teams to provide advice on ASM engagements or to support the development of new business opportunities
• Play a central role in operational responsibilities related to grants and potentially lending operations.
• Represent, when required, the WBG on ASM related panels, public speaking events and other international fora.
• Provide timely and quality support to the portfolio management of the ASM Window under the Extractives Global Programmatic Support Trust Fund within the M&M department.

Selection Criteria
• Minimum of a master's degree or higher in a mining-related discipline related to ASM.
• At least 5 years of relevant ASM mining sector experience.
• Ability to think independently, proactively analyze problems, identify, and take the lead in defining appropriate solutions.
• Proven track record of working on ASM problem solving in a specific development context
• Strong writing and communication skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail with sound analytical skills.
• Experience in engaging with high level decision makers on policy topics related to ASM
• Experience with Operations Portal including processing grants and lending operations.
• Ability to deal sensitively in multicultural environments and build effective working relations with staff.
• Fluency in English and at least intermediate level French is required.
• Fluency in Spanish would be a plus.

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.