(RFP500222) Senior Associate, Proposal Development (Italy or France)

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) deliver 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.

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 of Bioversity International and 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.

Based in one of the Alliance’s offices in Europe (Rome, Italy or Montpellier, France) and under the Head of Science Engagement and Resources Mobilization Unit, and in close coordination with the Proposal Coordinator, the Proposal Development Senior Associate will work as part of SE&RM Unit, contributing primarily to the development of a multi-country proposal in EA and secondarily to support the development of high likelihood commissioned or negotiated proposals globally. The Senior Associate will be responsible for providing writing support and contributing to the overall proposal development. The Senior Associate will also participate in SE&RM coordination efforts and provide, when possible, support and coordination to scientific teams for non-competitive proposal development. The position will liaise directly with Research, Project Financial Analysis and Support Team (PLANS), Partnership & Communication (P&C), OPD/Grants Management Unit (GMU) and other parties directly involved in proposal preparation.

• Draft, edit, and finalize full proposals by taking primary responsibility for writing and refining various sections, ensuring clarity, coherence, and consistency, and collaborating with scientists and subject matter experts to accurately incorporate their inputs and data.
• Organize the proposal content logically, ensuring that all sections are complete and align with the project’s objectives and requirements.
• Facilitate collaboration among team members, scientists, and external stakeholders to gather comprehensive input and feedback on the proposal drafts.
• Schedule and facilitate regular meetings to review progress, discuss challenges, and integrate suggestions into the proposal.
• Attend regional workshops with key stakeholders to present and discuss the draft proposal.
• Collect feedback and validate the proposal content with stakeholders, ensuring their concerns and suggestions are addressed.
• Support other proposal development processes and contribute to the overall resources’ mobilization strategy of the organization.
• Work directly with the Proposal Coordinator, the Senior Manager, the Scientific Lead, and involved scientists to collect input and draft the proposal.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders (P&C, PLANS, OPD/PE, PISA/SPRMA) to ensure timeliness and responsive support service provision to the PI and/or the research team.
• Participate in regional workshops with key stakeholders to present and discuss the draft proposal, collecting their feedback and suggestions. In agreement with the Proposal Coordinator, engage with local government representatives, community leaders, and other relevant parties to build consensus and support for the proposal.
• Coordinate with the Head of Science Engagement & Resource Mobilization, RM officers, and Proposal Team to ensure coordinated services on resources’ mobilization efforts.
• Deliver writing service for the proposal and contribute, when possible, to other strategic proposals.
• Compile and/or support the production of all necessary documentation, annexes, and supporting material for submission.
• Ensure proposals effectively communicate the project’s goals, methodology, impact, and sustainability.
• Verify that all technical, financial, and administrative details are accurately represented and meet the donor’s requirements.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as agricultural or biological sciences, international relations, natural science, international development, or related fields.
• Preferably a minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in agricultural research for development proposal writing/shaping in an international or multilateral organizational setting, on proposals worth over US$ 2M.
• Experience in working with diverse technical and/or scientific teams, focusing on agriculture, agrobiodiversity, value chains, livelihood, and climate finance.
• Experience with crafting Theories of Change, Results Frameworks, and/or Logical Frameworks.
• Experience of working in EA Africa countries, engaging with local partners and institutional counterparts.
• Previous working knowledge with AICS and/or CDD and with Climate funds (such as GCF) is highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with other national and cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong client service orientation.
• Excellent eye for detail, critical thinking, high standards of excellence, personal organization, prioritization and time management skills, flexibility, and the ability to deliver on agreed deadlines.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure with autonomy.

This is a locally recruited position based in Rome, Italy or Montpellier, France. The position is level 7, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest. The salary range will be established in accordance with the regional/country standards. All benefits are denominated and paid in EURO. The remuneration package includes a competitive salary, leave provisions, medical and life insurance, and non-contributory retirement plan. The contract will be for a period of 2 years, subject to a probationary period of 6 months, and is renewable subject to performance, project needs, and availability of funds.

Please apply online through the website (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers) no later than 21 April 2025, attaching a curriculum vitae, motivation letter (illustrating your suitability for the above mentioned position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills), both in English, and contact information (e.g. names, email address) of at least three references (knowledgeable about your professional qualifications and work experience). The motivation letter should include the reference number of the position - RFP500222.

Closing date for applications: 21 April 2025

http://alliancebioversityciat.org

https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers