THE ORGANIZATION

The Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT 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 Sub Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia, and with 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

The Partnerships Officer for Africa works with the Africa Managing Director, scientific community, and the Partnerships and Communications team to Identify and foster opportunities for resource mobilization at the regional and country level. This role contributes to maintaining excellent relationships with national governments and regional bodies, as well as maintaining a robust regional fundraising pipeline resources for implementation of the Alliance’s research-for-development agenda. The Partnerships Officer for Africa is co-supervised by the Managing Director for Africa and the Global Director of Partnerships and Communication. Although regionally focused, the role contributes to the Alliance’s overall resource mobilization and partnerships objectives, working closely with the global Partnerships team.

Key duties & responsibilities

• Develop, nurture, and facilitate coordination of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in Sub Saharan Africa to facilitate implementation of the Alliance’s agenda in the region.
•  Oversee development and implementation of Government Relationship Strategies in targeted countries to build and maintain strong partnerships with public authorities.
• Work with the Managing Director on developing strong and trustworthy relationships with the donors and partners to position the Alliance as strategic, effective, and impactful implementing partners.
• Negotiate partnership agreements and MOUs to formalize collaborations, including relationships to establish relevant consortia for proposal development.
• Identify and gather intelligence on funding prospects at country and regional level with an affinity for research, development, and policy change aligned with the Alliance’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Co-design with the Alliance’s scientific community and senior leadership, funder engagement strategies (cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, campaigns) that lead to financial and in-kind contributions.
• Plan, design and ensure the Alliance’s participation in key regional and national events and policy dialogues related to the Alliances’ mission to build and maintain funder and partner networks and generate funding opportunities.
• Plan and oversee funder prospective funder visits to Alliance offices and research sites to stimulate meaningful long-term relationships, including preparation of briefs and taking points.
• Coordinate development and submission of high quality, strategic, competitive, and timely proposals to funders, and follow through until approval. Act as a strategic and technical support.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders in Sub Saharah Africa.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in related field (International Development, Political Science, Business Administration, Agriculture, Environment) etc.
• Proficiency in both written and verbal communication in English and French is essential.
• A minimum of five years of experience in international organizational settings.
• Government relations or private sector experience in Francophone Africa is an added advantage.
• Possesses strong abilities in teamwork, negotiation, communication, and diplomacy, with the capacity to engage courteously and effectively with individuals at all levels within a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, including external stakeholders.
• Exceptional attention to detail, critical thinking abilities, high standards of excellence, personal organization, prioritization, and time management skills, along with flexibility and a proven track record of meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment while also collaborating effectively as a team member to achieve shared goals.
• Possesses strong skills in coordinating, prioritizing, and organizing workload, taking initiative, and performing well under pressure.
• Willingness to travel within Africa and beyond.

Terms of employment

This is an internationally recruited position based in Nairobi, Kenya. The initial contract will be for two years subject to a probation period of six months and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. This position is graded at BG09 level with a minimum basic salary of USD 55,317 per annum in 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. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications

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 RFP103637 – Partnerships Officer, Africa Region 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: Tuesday, 12^th November 2024

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