Senior Associate, Science Valorization & Industry Engagement

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 and under the direct supervision of the Senior Manager Business Development and Diversification, the position supports the valorization and scaling of science-based innovations by strengthening the link between research, market opportunities, and industry partnerships. The position contributes to innovation programmes, lab-to-market initiatives, and industry engagement activities, with the objective of improving the commercial readiness, sustainability, and impact potential of agri-food innovations supported by A4IP.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Support the valorization of scientific innovations by strengthening their commercial and market readiness.
• Coordinate implementation of assigned lab-to-market programmes/innovation challenges.
• Support the development of partnerships between innovation teams and private-sector stakeholders.
• Contribute to the scaling and positioning of science-based innovations within the agri-food innovation ecosystem.
• Support resource mobilization and programme visibility activities.
• Work closely with internal teams including programme, finance, legal, and HR units to support innovation and technology-transfer activities.
• Support engagement with innovation teams, startups, entrepreneurs, and researchers participating in A4IP programmes.
• Interact with private-sector partners such as impact investors, startups, corporate innovation teams, and industry stakeholders.
• Support collaboration between scientists and external partners to strengthen market adoption of research outputs.
• Maintain relationships with key stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem.
• Support the organization and implementation of innovation challenges, bootcamps, pitch events, and lab-to-market programmes.
• Contribute to the evaluation and assessment of agri-food technology innovations, against established criteria and recommend follow-up actions.
• Support innovation teams on business models, commercialization strategies, and market positioning, based on established programme approaches.
• Contribute to the preparation of project documentation, reports, and communication materials.
• Support the identification of funding opportunities and the preparation of proposals.
• Maintain stakeholder databases and innovation tracking tools.
• Support the organization of stakeholder events and the Venture-Out event series.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports on project outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and programme activities.

Required qualifications and experience

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Innovation Management, Economics, International Development, or a related field.
• Experience in innovation programmes, startup ecosystems, or technology-transfer initiatives.
• Experience working with research-based or science-driven innovations.
• Experience supporting innovation challenges, accelerators, or lab-to-market programmes.
• Experience working with private-sector partners, startups, or investors is considered an asset.
• Experience in project coordination, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Good understanding of the agri-food innovation ecosystem and innovation-to-market processes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess innovation potential and market relevance.
• Knowledge of business models, commercialization strategies, and market positioning.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Terms of employment

This position is a nationally recruited staff position based in Rome, Italy . 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 BG07 level, with a minimum annual basic salary of Euro 47,637 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).