Responsibilities

• Coordinate the implementation of innovation ecosystem engagement activities, including the implementation of RAMP (Research and Market Pathways) accelerator/incubator.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including Terms of Reference (ToR), workplans, agendas, and reports, ensuring that they are kept up to date and accessible to relevant team members.
• Prepare background documents and overall administrative support, including drafting minutes, summarizing key discussions, and creating action point lists regarding project implementation.
• Monitor project performance and satisfaction, continuously refining approach to ensure quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

• Coordinate A4IP’s participation in strategic external events, workshops, and donor meetings, ensuring Alliance/CGIAR-led innovations are well-positioned and communicated effectively to potential collaborators and investors.
• Lead scouting efforts for startups, corporations, and research institutions that are aligned with A4IP’s goals, fostering opportunities for partnership and technology transfer.
• Facilitate engagement with partners, maintaining clear and respectful communication with stakeholders such as investors, corporations, and startups to facilitate collaboration opportunities.
• Effectively represent A4IP and advocate for its activities in meetings and public-facing events.

• Supervise the Innovation Ecosystem Engagement Assistant and ensure full coverage of support across the external engagements, project implementation, communications, and knowledge management workstreams.
• Strengthen the processes for matching Alliance/CGIAR research effort with relevant agro-food industry players, startups, and innovators together with through open innovation portal and a virtual community.
• Oversee the integration of A4IP activities with Alliance/CGIAR’s existing innovation platforms, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and effective technology transfer mechanisms.
• Coordinate with A4IP Comms and Knowledge Management Focal Point to produce and disseminate communication products, such as presentations, blogs, social media campaigns, email promotions, and talking points, to enhance visibility and outreach for innovation ecosystem engagement programs.
• Coordinate with A4IP Comms and Knowledge Management Focal Point to ensure that knowledge and contacts gained from innovation ecosystem engagement activities is captured, disseminated, and leveraged to inform future research and innovation strategies within CGIAR

• Produce and promote knowledge products, such as op-eds, policy briefs, and other outputs on the state of agri-, food-, and climate-technology transfer and models for scientific entrepreneurship
• Carry out relevant efforts to further advance funder engagement, resource mobilization strategies, work plans, and initiatives under A4IP.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree is desirable) in International Development, International Relations, Economics, Business Administration, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability or other relevant field.
• Previous experience working for international development and/or research organizations, private sector (e.g., corporate accelerator, agri-food companies) or venture capital funds.
• Demonstrated interest in the agri/food/climate-tech innovation ecosystem.
• Previous relevant work experience (preferably minimum of 2 years) in project management and coordination, including overseeing and executing projects from start to finish, and strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different cultural and national backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines while still maintaining attention to detail and accuracy, and problem solving effectively.
• Ability to work independently within assigned areas with initiative.
• Proven track record of building collaborative relationships across and within teams, and with external stakeholders; including the private sector.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written, including the ability to organize and write clear and concise reports. Experience in public-facing communication, including event moderation and presentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of tools.

Benefits

• 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).