The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International 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.

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.

About the position

CIAT, on behalf of IITA, is seeking a Senior Research and Delivery Specialist to support research and development initiatives in Rwanda. The incumbent will coordinate the delivery of agricultural innovations through public and private partnerships.

Key duties & responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Country Representative or his/her designate and in collaboration with other project team members, the Senior Research and Delivery Specialist will appropriately perform the following duties:

• Facilitate the establishment of scaling partnerships to deliver proven agricultural technologies
• Facilitate the development and implementation of an integrated country work plan led by the scaling partners with technical support from IITA, CGIAR centers, other innovation developers, and other service providers;
• Support scaling partners in designing, implementing, and adjusting the scaling models to achieve the initiatives’ objectives.
• Identify scaling partners’ needs and facilitate training and technical support by CGIAR Centers and other service providers
• Facilitate the identification and formalization of new partnerships to accelerate the delivery of innovations
• Lead the regular review of the progress, support, and monitor the implementation of recommendations.
• Liaise with all members of the scaling partnerships and other stakeholders to foster effective linkages and close collaboration.
• Lead or contribute to communications products and project reports.
• Represent the organization in technical meetings
• Serve as the focal point for all research and delivery initiatives on Cereals, Food Safety, and Post-harvest management for the organization.
• Ensure visibility of IITA’s activities and results in scientific, development, and policy arenas, as well as among local stakeholders in the regions where project activities take place.
• Contribute to resource mobilization – fundraising
• Supervise junior staff and interns.
• Additional tasks may be assigned by the supervisors as deemed necessary or relevant to the role.

Requirements

• Masters’ degree in agricultural sciences, food science, agricultural economics, agribusiness, and any other related field with five years of work experience in a similar role, preferably in an international non-profit & non-governmental setting.
• 5 years of professional experience in research and delivery of agricultural innovations in Rwanda or East African countries
• Demonstrated experience in deploying post-harvest and food safety innovations is an added advantage
• A similar experience in the Great Lakes region is an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of the food systems in the Great Lakes region
• Experience in scaling agriculture technologies/innovations in Africa, especially in the Great Lakes region
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms and meetings
• Experience in public and private sector engagements.
• Good knowledge of, and network in the CGIAR system and the agricultural research and development sector in the Great Lakes region.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Knowledge of French, and other languages spoken in the region is desirable.

Terms of employment

This position is a nationally  recruited position based in Kigali, Rwanda. The initial contract will be for one (1) year subject to a probation period of three (3)  months and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.

This position is graded at BG08, level a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the Alliance job classification framework policy). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to insurance, retirement plan, staff training and development, paid time off and flexible working arrangements.

The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender identities.

Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number REF : Senior Research and Delivery Specialist as the position applied for. Cover letter and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting. The Alliance collects and process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Applications closing date: 9^th August 2024

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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