(RFP500191) - Consultant, Partnerships & Programme Coordination

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) deliver research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people's lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

The Alliance works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people in a climate crisis.

This is an exciting time to join the Alliance, as the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the scaling innovation platform under CGIAR, contributing to groundbreaking initiatives and transformative partnerships.

Based in Rome, Italy and under the supervision of the Senior Manager, Partnerships & Innovative Finance, the Consultant will oversee and coordinate activities across fundraising initiatives and the Accelerate for Impact Platform. This position involves ensuring efficient workflow management, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and seamless communication to facilitate the successful execution of projects. The role requires strong program management skills, a comprehensive understanding of the agricultural ecosystem, and a commitment to fostering innovation and impact in this sector. The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience in the development and cooperation ecosystem, donor engagement (e.g., AICS, EU, DG INTPA), and the startup ecosystem, along with a proven track record in a similar role.

Responsibilities Program and Workflow Management

1. Develop, monitor, and update yearly work plans, consolidating input from various workstreams to align with organizational priorities and timelines.
2. Streamline workflows to enhance efficiency, consistency, and quality in project execution while proactively addressing bottlenecks to ensure smooth implementation.
3. Consolidate and analyze project activities to track progress, identify gaps, and inform decision-making, ensuring timely, high-quality deliverables that meet donor and organizational expectations.
4. Provide regular updates to the Senior Manager and Unit Director on tasks, progress, and fundraising efforts.
5. Lead the preparation and submission of project reports, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and highlighting key achievements and challenges.
6. Monitor action items from missions, delegate follow-ups, and report progress to the Senior Manager.

Resource Coordination and Reporting

1. Assist in budget planning, allocation, and monitoring to optimize resource utilization and ensure compliance with donor requirements.
2. Facilitate recruitment processes for project staff (regular and complementary), including drafting job descriptions, coordinating candidate screening, and overseeing onboarding activities in collaboration with HR.
3. Compile and coordinate inputs for annual reports, ensuring they reflect comprehensive progress and outcomes.
4. Foster a culture of high performance, excellence, collaboration, and mutual support within the projects, driving strong focus on results.

Stakeholder Engagement and Fundraising Support

1. Build and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with project objectives and funder expectations.
2. Support the drafting of concept notes and fundraising proposals in line with organizational priorities and donor requirements.
3. Organize and manage online and in-person meetings, including team and steering committee sessions, handling invitations, agendas, and documentation.
4. Coordinate travel and reimbursements for event participants with the Project Assistant.
5. Ensure diplomatic protocols for correspondence and high-level events involving ministers, directors, and senior officials.
6. Provide timely updates to stakeholders, ensuring alignment with project goals and clear communication.

Mission Support for the Senior Manager

1. Coordinate travel logistics with the Assistant, ensuring seamless flights, accommodations, and transportation aligned with mission objectives.
2. Consolidate team inputs into comprehensive mission briefs with key updates, background information, and strategic objectives.
3. Prepare high-quality speaking points, briefing notes, and presentations tailored to the Senior Manager's audience and mission goals.
4. Liaise with stakeholders to confirm meeting agendas, participants, and objectives, ensuring alignment with mission priorities.
5. Ensure adherence to organizational and diplomatic protocols for correspondence, high-level meetings, and events with senior officials.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Political Science, International Development, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
2. Minimum of 7 years of experience in program/project management, preferably in an international development or nonprofit setting.
3. Demonstrated strong organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
4. Proficiency in budgeting, reporting, and data analysis.
5. Experience in stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
6. Familiarity with fundraising and donor reporting processes.
7. Understanding of the agriculture industry and research.
8. Strong professional network.
9. Exceptional communication skills, capable of building and maintaining productive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
10. Fluency in both written and oral English is essential.
11. Sound interpersonal, communications, and teamwork skills; courtesy, tact and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different cultural and national backgrounds.
12. Sound personal organization, priority setting and problem-solving skills.
13. Sound judgment and initiative; ability to work independently within assigned areas.
14. Ability to work with ambiguity and take ownership of deliverables and manage multiple concurrent projects independently.
15. Passion for and understanding of technology innovations and business model innovations.
16. Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.
17. Proactive and results-oriented mindset.
18. Proficiency in the use of project management software (e.g., ClickUp, Miro, Monday) and any other designing and editing app (e.g., Canva).

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time, 11-month consultancy opportunity, based in Rome, Italy with extensive field missions, renewable based on extended needs and requirements. All consultancy fees and conditions will be administered in line with the Alliance approved policy for consultants.

1. A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter (CL) (using the candidate's last name, first name for ease of sorting).
2. In the CV, including the names and email addresses of three professional referees who have worked with you and are knowledgeable about your skills and professional abilities.
3. Proposed consultancy fees for the period, indicated in daily USD.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for applications: 7 March 2025

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