The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) (www.bioversityinternational.org) delivers 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.

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.

The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

About the Project

Beans for Women Empowerment (Beans4Women) is a five-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by the Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance, PABRA under the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. Beans4Women aims at strengthening the gender equality, agency in decision-making, and resource rights of women and girls active in the bean sector in three conflict-prone provinces of Eastern DRC. The project focuses on three areas that most affect the degree of women’s empowerment in the bean sector, namely the business environment around climate-smart agriculture, the participation of women in bean sector leadership and decision-making, and the rights of women to productive resources like land and nutritious food in Eastern DRC. The project will build on partnerships with INERA and development partners to benefit 2 million people, 60% of whom will be women and girls, in poor rural communities in Eastern DRC and will indirectly benefit 10 million people over the longer term.

About the position

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is seeking to recruit a qualified person to fill the position of Scientist – Team Lead who will be responsible for the overall coordination of the project in conjunction with the Alliance Bean Program Leader and PABRA Director who is also the Principal Investigator of the project. The candidate will also be responsible for coordinating, establishing, and maintaining partnerships for the delivery of project outputs.

 Main responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on the design, planning, and execution of the project work.
• Sustain relationships with donors, stakeholders, and internal partners on project issues, provide leadership, monitor progress, and ensure stakeholder expectations are managed for project deliverables
• Strengthen and support partnerships for scientific research with colleagues and professionals from various disciplines to enhance women and girl participation in the project.
• Oversee project management, coordinating activities between partners in the project areas.
• Ensure coherence of project teams in the delivery of outputs and mainstreaming of gender outcomes in the project.
• Provide technical guidance to project teams under the supervision and advise the research team on outcomes that feeds into the wider knowledge base of the Centre.
• Coordinate project documentation and knowledge sharing.
• Oversee implementation activities to deploy solutions in practice.
• Prepare project activities reports and ensure adherence to the timelines as guided by the project aimed at hoisting women and girls.
• Participate in PABRA-wide activities in the DRC and beyond.
• Contribute to and generates scientific publication responsible for fulfilling a work plan for the project.
• Contribute to the preparation of research proposals and related fundraising activities.
• Perform other tasks as determined by the project leader and PABRA Director.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. degree in agricultural sciences or rural development, sociology, gender studies, or closely related areas
• Knowledge of digital tools for extension and communication platform
• Strong demonstrated background in gender equality and mainstreaming as well as in land and women’s rights  areas.
• Excellent communication skills in English and French, both written and spoken, including scientific communication and report writing – Swahili language will be desirable
• Experience in authoring scientific publications, having published at least 5 ISI peer-reviewed articles
• Proficiency in relevant software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) including statistical packages
• Knowledge of working with the private sector and establishing linkages between producers and the private sector
• Demonstrated experience and track record in working with government and public and development sector institutions
• Excellent skills in teamwork, negotiation, communication, and diplomacy, with the ability to interact courteously and effectively with people at all levels in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary environment, including external stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel within the DRC and beyond.
• Experience working with CGIAR or other international organizations, experience working in the DRC, or other countries in East and Central Africa will be an added advantage.

Terms of employment

This is an internationally recruited position based in Bukavu, Eastern DRC. The initial contract will be for two (2) years, subject to a probation period of six (6) months, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. This position is currently graded at level BG09 (on a scale of 14 levels, BG14 being the highest level) with a view on career development.

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. We are an equal opportunity

employer, and strive for gender, diversity, and inclusion in our staff, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic.

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit  https://www.bioversityinternational.org/jobs/ to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include the reference number Ref:103140-Scientist – Team Leader the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, and first name for ease of sorting.

Note: The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). The Alliance also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

                                                           Applications closing date: 17^th July 2023

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org