Internal Call Only - (RFP500611) Job Trainee, Cacao of Excellence (Temporary Assignment, 6 months- Rome,Italy)

(RFP500611)

Job Trainee, Cacao of Excellence

(Temporary Assignment, 6 months- Rome, Italy)

The Organization

Cacao of Excellence, led by the CGIAR’s Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), is a neutral global platform that brings together the public and private sector to discover, promote, and reward cacao producers of excellence from all origins, focusing on superior cacao quality and flavour diversity. Since 2009, the platform has held the prestigious global Cacao of Excellence Awards, celebrating and rewarding the work of cacao producers and showcasing the diversity of exceptional flavours worldwide. By leading cacao research, discovering exceptional producers and training the next generation of value chain actors, Cacao of Excellence’s is supporting the expansion of superior quality cacao, ensuring more producers thrive as empowered entrepreneurs.

The CGIAR Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (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. 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 position

Based in Rome, Italy, and under the supervision of the Cacao of Excellence, Manager of the Program, the incumbent will  provide support with communications and partnership.

Responsibilities

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide administrative and coordination support for partnership development and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Assist with research and analysis on public- and private-sector partners, donors, and value chain development initiatives, including policies, programmes, funding priorities, and budget allocations.
• Support the development and implementation of tailored partnership engagement strategies, stakeholder mapping, and event plans.
• Provide assistance with communications and follow-up actions with partners, collaborators, trainees, and other stakeholders, maintaining accurate records and supporting relationship management.
• Assist in the planning, logistics, and delivery of events, workshops, and partner meetings, promoting cacao producers, Cacao of Excellence trainees, and strategic collaborations.
  

Communications & Outreach

• Research, draft, and edit engaging online content, including web stories, opinion editorials, articles, and infographics.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of creative communication and social media campaigns supporting major Cacao of Excellence projects, partnerships, and events.
• Draft, edit, proofread, and update content for the Cacao of Excellence website and other communication channels, ensuring consistency and high editorial standards.
• Support the maintenance and organization of communication assets, including mailing lists, email subscribers, photographs, videos, and other digital resources.
• Contribute to Development of communication materials that highlight programme achievements, partner collaborations, and project impacts.

Programme Support

• Provide communication and project support to the Innovation, Genetic Diversity, and Capacity Building pillars, including assisting in the development of project-specific communication materials.
• Participate in national and international events, providing communications, coordination, and logistical support as required.
• Provide additional programme, partnership, communications, and administrative support as required to contribute to the objectives of the Cacao of Excellence Programme.

Requirements

Essential Requirements

• Secondary school education.
  
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite packages.
  
• Working knowledge of the English language, both written and spoken.
  
• Good interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills, courtesy and tact, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different cultural and national backgrounds.
  
• Good skills in personal organization and priority setting.
  
• Good client orientation and service approach.
  
• Good time management skills and attention to details.
  

Desirable Requirements

• Previous internships.
  
• Work experience in an international environment.
  

Benefits

Terms of employment

This is a job traineeship based in Rome, Italy, open to internal candidates, namely: regular staff members, complementary staff members, and individuals who are currently employed or have completed a contract with Bioversity in the last 12 months. The monthly salary is Euro 1,217. The contract is initially for a period of six (6) months. The contract may be extendable based on performance and availability of funds.

The Alliance of Bioversity International & 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.

Please note that eligible applicants must have the legal status to live and work in Italy:

· 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).

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit for full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications must include the reference number RFP500611 . Cover letter and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate's last name and first name for ease of sorting. The Alliance collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for applications: 4 October 2026

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