Current Opportunities at Bioversity International

Project Management jobs, Agriculture related jobs, Research jobs, Communications jobs, Journalism jobs,

Research Specialist – Agri-business Optimization Economist

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough literature reviews in the agribusiness, startup, and innovation scaling ecosystems, with an emphasis on global trends and their implications for Africa.
• Analyze global agribusiness trends and identify best practices and innovative models from various regions that can be adapted to the African context.
• Contribute to publishing peer-reviewed articles in academic and development practitioner journals, emphasizing the role of agribusiness and private finance in food systems development, supported by international examples.
• Engage with teams across the Alliance as well as the CGIAR more broadly, such as IWMI or working groups like Impact SF & IPSR incorporating cross-cultural perspectives in agribusiness practices and policies.
• Assist in managing projects and components of projects, ensuring alignment with international standards and methodologies.
• Cultivate relationships with key collaborators, including Briter Bridges and Agribusiness Partners, leveraging established networks in the international agribusiness community for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Advocate for policies that support sustainable agribusiness development, informed by international frameworks and best practices.
• Assist in reporting on initiative engagement status and outputs, including implications for investment dynamics in the agribusiness sector.
• Engage in the day-to-day management of project activities, ensuring effective implementation and cross-border collaboration.
• Attend relevant internal meetings and contribute to discussions on strategic directions and opportunities for collaboration.

Required qualifications and experience

• PhD or active enrollment for a PhD in any business or social science discipline, with ongoing or intended doctoral-level research.
• Proven experience in large-scale development project management, particularly in the agribusiness sector across multiple countries or regions.
• Experience engaging companies and researchers, including conducting Key Informant Interviews and outreach efforts.
• Understanding of the African agribusiness ecosystem and experience working directly with agribusinesses, complemented by knowledge of global trends and investment dynamics. Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with climate finance and impact measurement related to DFI, IFI, and other sources of climate finance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to facilitate workshops and engage in cross-cultural dialogue.
• Ability to quickly understand and adapt to new contextual situations while maintaining flexibility and motivation.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the capability to manage multinational projects and ensure effective cross-border collaboration.
• Adaptability to international standards in project management, impact assessment, and agribusiness development.
• Expertise in diverse research methodologies, including mixed methods and participatory approaches applicable to local contexts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate complex concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
• Ability to quickly understand and adapt to new contextual situations.  
• Ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations and other groups with the Alliance and CGIAR more broadly.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, Interest and experience working in a fast-paced team within a large research institution.

Research Specialist – Climate Finance Policy Expert

The Research Specialist – Climate Finance Policy Expert will play a critical role within the organization by conducting high-quality literature reviews and contributing to the research and policy integration in the agribusiness, startup, and climate finance sectors. Main responsibilities include managing project components, fostering collaborations, publishing peer-reviewed articles, and supporting climate change research initiatives. This position is essential for enhancing the organization’s impact on the climate finance landscape and ensuring alignment with policy processes. 

The primary focus of the Climate Finance Policy Expert role is to drive evidence-based research and facilitate its application in policy frameworks related to climate finance and agribusiness. The role encompasses significant depth in research methodology, stakeholder engagement, and project management across various initiatives. Geographically, the position will primarily engage within the African climate finance ecosystem, contributing to both regional and global discourse on sustainable development and climate resilience.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Contributes to the design, planning and execution of work plans in a research project.
• Conduct literature reviews on academic quality in agribusiness, startups, and climate finance.
• Support the integration of climate change and finance research into policy processes.
• Assist in managing various project dimensions, including proposal development, funding, stakeholder management, resource planning, and execution, to ensure successful project completion.
• Collect feedback from project stakeholders and provide regular updates on project efficiency and implementation.
• Manage relationships with key collaborators, such as Briter Bridges and Agribusiness Partners, and ensure effective collaboration.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to support project management and implementation.
• Assist in managing project components, including planning activities with major stakeholders like the World Bank, USAID, GIZ, and GCA.
• Propose and manage project budgets, ensuring workflows align with both CGIAR- and Alliance-level frameworks.
• Monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of research interventions to maintain project quality.
• Provide regular reports on the engagement status and outputs of initiatives.
• Offer feedback and follow up on work plans for research projects.
• Contribute to the preparation of research proposals and fundraising efforts.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of project activities, ensuring timelines for deliverables and reports are met.  

Required qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in any business or social science discipline, with ongoing or intended doctoral-level research.
• Experience in large scale development project management.
• Experience engaging companies and researchers, including on Key Informant Interviews and other outreach.
• Understanding of African climate finance ecosystem and experience working directly with policy makers.
• Understanding of climate finance and impact measurement related to DFI, IFI, and other sources of climate finance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate complex concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
• Ability to quickly understand and adapt to new contextual situations.  
• Ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations and other groups with the Alliance and CGIAR more broadly.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, Interest and experience working in a fast-paced team within a large research institution.
• Analyzed and provided recommendations on climate finance for national governments in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Communication Specialist – Climate Security

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for overseeing and executing the communications strategy for CGIAR FOCUS Climate Security, ensuring that the initiative’s research and policy insights are effectively communicated to global audiences. The role involves strategic leadership, development, and management of communications content across various channels. This position will also include managing and mentoring a Communications Assistant and working closely with research and leadership teams to maximize outreach and impact.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and lead the implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy for CGIAR FOCUS Climate Security.
• Guide and manage the Communications Assistant, delegating tasks and ensuring high-quality outputs.
• Oversee strategic development of content including blogs, infographics, videos, social media posts, and other materials.

Content Development and Management

• Lead the creation of targeted communication outputs to support key research areas: Evidence for Climate Security, Programming for Climate Security, Policy for Climate Security, and Finance for Climate Security.
• Ensure that all communication products comply with CGIAR branding guidelines and funder acknowledgment requirements.
• Work closely with researchers to translate complex climate security research into accessible, engaging communication materials.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, managing relationships with media outlets, partners, and donors.
• Support CGIAR FOCUS Climate Security’s participation in global events and initiatives, ensuring effective communication presence.
• Engage actively with the CGIAR global communications team to align initiatives and ensure coordinated messaging.

Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and support the Communications Assistant, ensuring they are fully integrated into communication workflows and able to deliver on assigned tasks.
• Delegate tasks effectively, monitor performance, and provide guidance as needed to ensure high standards.

Media and External Relations

• Maintain relationships with key media outlets to promote CGIAR’s climate security research.
• Monitor and engage with global media to capitalize on opportunities for outreach and awareness-building.
• Draft and disseminate press releases, editorials, and media pieces to further publicize climate security research and its implications.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitor the impact and effectiveness of communication activities, regularly reporting on performance metrics.
• Adjust communication strategies as necessary to ensure maximum visibility and impact.

Internal communications and other tasks

• Work with other communicators and Communications & Outreach (C&O) working group lead to ensure the flow of information between Research Initiatives, as well as with the C&O Global Group
• Engage with C&O working groups as appropriate to ensure coordinated engagement (e.g., knowledge management, event participation, stakeholder engagement)
• Attend events to ensure communications support
• Actively participate and engage in the global CGIAR C&O team.

Required qualifications and experience.

• Master’s degree in international communications, Journalism, or other relevant fields. 
• At least 5 years of experience in leading internal and external communications, preferably in international settings and/or on climate or sustainability issues.
• Experience in managing staff or consultants in a communications setting.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience mentoring and guiding communications staff.
• Excellent writing and content development skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific ideas clearly and engagingly.
• High proficiency in developing multimedia content including infographics, audio editing, video editing, reports and media flyers.
• Proficiency in using social media platforms, website content management, and media monitoring tools.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and delegate tasks effectively.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative, and decentralized environment, including across teams at several levels.
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office with advanced PowerPoint and presentation skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills in English.

Method of Application

Use the link(s) below to apply on company website.

• Research Specialist – Agri-business Optimization Economist
• Research Specialist – Climate Finance Policy Expert
• Communication Specialist – Climate Security