Internal call - (RFP500592) Team Leader, AgriTechEgypt (Rome, Italy), Rome

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 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

Based in Rome, Italy, and reporting to the Senior Manager, Business Development and Diversification, the team leader will join the Business Development and Diversification unit of the Strategic Partnership Engagement and Communication (SPEC) Department to manage assigned projects within A4IP’s core accelerator portfolio and support coordination across the portfolio, while serving as the regional focal point for the Middle East and North Africa. This role will ensure high-quality delivery across programs and projects, strong regional partnerships, alignment with organizational priorities and mission, and effective coordination with internal units and CGIAR Centers.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Manage the implementation of projects (AgriTech4Egypt), ensuring effective project execution and regional alignment (with a strong focus on MENA), and delivery of high-impact innovation programs.
• Provide project-level guidance and coordination in support of the overall A4IP accelerator portfolio.
• Operate with global organizational engagement.
  Regional Focal Point for MENA and External Engagement
  
  • Serve as A4IP’s primary focal point for the MENA region, supporting the coordination of regional strategy, partnerships, and programmatic priorities under the guidance of senior leadership.
  • Support engagement with strategic partners, donors, governments, innovation hubs, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and identify new opportunities.
  • Provide guidance to the project implementing team on managing partner relationships and communication processes, ensuring alignment with the stakeholder engagement framework and institutional best practices.
  • Represent A4IP and the Alliance at operational-level  regional and international meetings, workshops, and innovation platforms to advance the visibility, adoption, and scaling of portfolio innovations.
  • Collaborate across units and CGIAR Centers to enhance cross-functional synergies and support the scaling of science-based innovations.
    Fundraising
    
    • Support efforts to identify and secure new innovative funding opportunities from bilateral and multilateral donors, regional institutions, particularly within MENA, to expand and diversify the organization’s portfolio.
    • Contribute to building and maintaining a strong pipeline of funders, investors, and partners aligned with the Alliance’s mission across research and regional portfolios;
    • Coordinate with relevant Alliance teams engaged in resource mobilization and proposal development to structure, draft, and finalize high-quality concept notes and funding proposals, particularly on MENA projects.
      Project Management
      
      • Manage the implementation of the AgriTech4Egypt project.
      • Manage and coordinate assigned project activities within A4IP’s portfolio (i.e., core accelerator programs, innovation challenges), ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and delivery timelines, with specific responsibility for the strategic coordination and performance of projects implemented in the MENA region.
      • Provide guidance to the project implementation team (region-focused project coordinators) in managing workplans, project documentation, delivery processes, and budgets, while directly leading the implementation of MENA projects.
      • Oversee the development and validation of key project documents (i.e., Terms of Reference, workplans, technical and financial reports), ensuring quality and coherence;
      • Ensure effective integration and coordination of project activities with other units and research programs across the organization and CGIAR.
      • Coordinate periodic review meetings with project teams and external partners, guiding agenda setting, decision-making, and follow-up on operational actions.
        Risk Management and Quality Control
        
        • Work to identify risks and suggest mitigation plans across the project portfolio, with particular attention to regional operational, financial, and partnership risks.
        • Apply established quality assurance mechanisms to uphold delivery standards and compliance with institutional and donor requirements.
        • Review and pre-validate project outputs, deliverables, and reports prior to final approval and submission to donors and partners.
          Performance Monitoring, Learning and Reporting
          
          • Implement  project-level  key performance indicators to track progress, outcomes, and impact across initiatives, including regional performance in MENA.
          • Supervise the preparation of regular progress reports and updates for management, donors, partners, and stakeholders. 
          • Lead structured feedback and learning processes with project teams, partners, and beneficiaries to assess satisfaction, identify gaps, and capture lessons learned.
          • Use performance data, feedback, and lessons learned to refine project methodologies and market-delivery support model.

            Requirements
            Required qualifications and experience 
            

            • Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Economics, Business Administration or other relevant field.
              
            • At least 5 years of work experience in project coordination and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, suppliers, and other actors from multicultural backgrounds.
              
            • Previous experience working for international development and/or research organizations, private sector (e.g., corporate accelerator, agri-food companies) or venture capital funds.
              
            • Proven track record of building collaborative relationships across and within internal teams, and with external stakeholders.
              
            • Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team with people in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment, including with external stakeholders.
              Required competencies
              • Excellent organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines while still maintaining attention to detail and accuracy, and problem solve effectively.
                
              • Excellent communication skills in English and Italian, both verbal and written including the ability to organize and write clear and concise reports.
                
              • Knowledge of a second language, particularly French or Spanish, is desirable.

                Benefits
                Terms of employment

                This position is a nationally recruited staff position 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 initial contract will be for up to one (1) year, subject to a probation period of six (6) months, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.

                This position is graded at BG09 level, with a minimum annual basic salary of Euro 52,564 in a scale of BG02 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 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).