Internal Vacancy Announcement

(RFP500230)

Team Leader, GFAiR

The Organization

The Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAiR) is a voluntary multi-stakeholder network and movement for change, uniquely bringing together actors from 13 constituencies interested in the transformation of the Agri-Food System. GFAiR is made up of app. 1,000 member networks and institutions, working together through collective advocacy and action, to shape the future of agriculture and food and their role in achieving sustainable development. The partners in GFAiR come from all around the world and across many constituencies, including farmers, consumers and civil society organizations, women and youth organizations, the private sector, public national and international research systems, advisory services, education, donor bodies and three UN Organizations. GFAiR’s reach is achieved through these organizations and the many millions of people they involve.

GFAiR mobilizes dialogue and Collective Actions between the many partners who make up the Forum and who share GFAiR’s common vision of making agri-food research and innovation more effective, responsive, and equitable towards achieving Sustainable Development outcomes. The GFAiR Secretariat helps trigger these Collective Actions among GFAiR partner institutions, who are themselves the agents of change. GFAiR helps inspire and enable the transformation and strengthening of agri-food research and innovation for development systems and processes to become more inclusive and equitable, more effective, and impactful and catalyses changes, fostering dialogue and new forms of multi stakeholder collaboration at different levels, through its extensive networks, South- South, North South and between constituencies.

On behalf of GFAiR, the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) , which hosts GFAiR in its Rome, Italy office, is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Team Leader.

Based in Rome, Italy, the Team Leader will report to the Executive Secretary, GFAiR, and will be responsible for the overall coordination and delivery of GFAiR Secretariat communication outreach and engagement with GFAiR multistakeholder network, GFAiR partners and members, based on GFAiRs Charter, GFAiR’s Partnership and Engagement Principles. The incumbent will coordinate and support GFAiR Secretariat in the activities of the Collective Actions, Global NARS Consortium and emerging initiatives including fundraising, MEL and outreach, inter alia by using GFAiR’s MEL system and GFAiR’s Knowledge and Learning Hub.  

Responsibilities

More specifically, the Team Leader will execute the following tasks:

• Advises and supports GFAiR Executive Secretary, Secretariat and the governing bodies of GFAiR.
• Coordinates the GFAiR Office in Rome as well as the work of GFAiR’s multidisciplinary teams.
• Provides guidance to team members on new approaches to improve the design and effectiveness of the Secretariat’s activities to ensure delivery.
• Designs, organizes, executes and assesses effectiveness of GFAiR’s project(s) ensuring established timelines and standards in response to Secretariat’s priorities.
• Provides regular activity reports to the GFAiR members.
• Strengthens connections with the hosting agency (CGIAR/ABC), and GFAiR Executive and Steering  Committee members including IFAD and FAO, and other stakeholders to ensure project objectives and work plans are conveyed and coordinated.
• Identifies, designs, implements and evaluates GFAiR programmes and project(s) related activities and services.
• Supports the GFAiR governing bodies and GFAiR representatives in governance activities such as Steering Committee meetings, Executive Committee meetings, conferences and workshops.
• Provides research and timely analytical input in support of activities of the Secretariat.
• Responsible for design, planning, organizing and reporting of the Annual Work and Budget and executes professional tasks in the project(s) implementation.
• Manages data and input collection for the corporate documents (PPPs, plans, concept notes, project proposals, annual reports, minutes, articles and other publications).
• Develops and implements tools and systems that enable smooth planning, delivery and monitoring of GFAiR programmes of work.
• Organizes content development on websites and social media.
• Supervises the complementary staff.
• Other related duties as requested.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree is supplemented by a master’s degree in agriculture, economics, social sciences, development studies, international relations, regional studies or related fields.
• Relevant professional experience (minimum 8 years is desirable).
• Proven experience in programme/project management related work demonstrated through successful development, planning, execution and monitoring of programmes, projects and events in agriculture.
• Previous coordination experience at Secretariats and indirect supervisory experience are desired.
• Strong understanding of issues related to project management, administration, logistics, and communication and proactive attitude in solving them independently.
• Managerial expertise demonstrated through successful development, planning, execution and monitoring of major projects or programmes.
• Leadership skills proven by inspiring and developing diverse teams, emphasizing diversity and fairness, knowledge sharing, and staff development combined with supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective relationships with colleagues and external partners, including research, development, private sector, and funding partners.
• Exceptional facilitation, communication, and people skills, including the ability to effectively interact across all levels and build consensus in a multicultural disciplinary environment.
• Excellent drafting skills and proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of other languages highly desirable.

Benefits

This is a nationally recruited position, based in Rome (Italy) open only to internal candidates, namely: regular staff members, complementary staff members and individuals who are currently employed or have completed a contract with Bioversity in the last 6 months. All benefits are denominated and paid in EURO. The salary is level 9, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest.  The salary range starts from Euro 52,560 per annum. The remuneration package includes a competitive salary, leave provisions, medical and life insurance, and non-contributory retirement plan. The contract will be for a period of 1 year, subject to a probationary period of 6 months, and is renewable subject to performance, project needs and availability of funds.

• Be Italian nationals holding a valid passport or identity card.
• Or be EU citizens holding a valid passport or identity card and confirmation of registration from the Registrar’s Office (Anagrafe).
• Or Non – EU citizens holding a valid Italian work permit (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro subordinato).

Applications

Please apply online through the website (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers) no later than 26^th  March 2025, attaching a curriculum vitae and motivation letter, both in English. The cover letter should include the reference number of the position – RFP500230.

Closing date for applications: 26^th March 2025

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org