(22007659)
Consultant, Project Director of The Italian Vision for a Sustainable Cocoa Value Chain
(Temporary assignment, 12 months – Rome, Italy)
The Italian Vision for a Sustainable Cocoa Value Chain
An Initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) under the Mattei Plan for Africa
The Organization
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.
The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
About the position
The Italian Vision for a Sustainable Cocoa Value Chain is a flagship, multi-country initiative under development promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), within the context of the Mattei Plan for Africa, and informed by relevant EU policy orientations, including the Global Gateway, as well as international cocoa sustainability frameworks.
The Initiative aims to transform cocoa into a driver of climate resilience, inclusive economic growth, and social equity across West and Central Africa, while strengthening Italy’s leadership in global cocoa sustainability. The Initiative is coordinated by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, in partnership with Save the Children Italy and Ferrero Group, and will lead to the establishment of the Italian Sustainable Cocoa Platform (ISCP) as a long-term public–private partnership.
Reporting directly to the Steering Committee, the Consultant will have overall responsibility for the strategic, technical, and operational leadership of the Initiative. The role will require extensive international travel and will lead coordination across partners, manage the operational team, oversee implementation of the inception phase, and ensure delivery of agreed outputs in line with MAECI priorities, donor frameworks, and partner commitments.

Responsibilities
Leadership, Representation, and Strategic Direction
Scope and Responsibilities
  • Provide overall strategic leadership and vision for the Initiative, ensuring full coherence with MAECI priorities, the Mattei Plan for Africa, and relevant EU and global sustainability frameworks.
  • Serve as the primary focal point for high-level governance and decision-making bodies, including the Steering Committee, preparing strategic briefings, progress updates, and decision documents.
  • Represent the Initiative in high-level meetings, international fora, and public events, in close coordination with MAECI, partner organizations, and diplomatic counterparts.
  • Strengthen and manage strategic partnerships with producing-country governments, cocoa institutions, civil society, research bodies, private-sector actors, and international platforms.
  • Lead the establishment and positioning of the Italian Sustainable Cocoa Platform (ISCP) as an inclusive public–private partnership aligned with the Initiative’s objectives.
  • Provide strategic oversight to resource mobilization efforts, donor engagement, and positioning with public, private, and blended finance partners, ensuring alignment between strategy, funding pipelines, and implementation capacity.
Key deliverables
  • Strategic Vision and Positioning Note for the Initiative.
  • Governance framework for the Italian Sustainable Cocoa Initiative and the ISCP.
  • Quarterly strategic briefs and presentations for the Steering Committee and MAECI.
  • Representation and engagement reports following major international events and high-level meetings.
  • Stakeholder mapping and engagement strategy.
  • ISCP concept note, governance model, and membership framework.
  • Resource mobilization and financing strategy, including donor mapping and priority funding pipeline.
  • Donor briefing materials and pitch decks.
Programme, Operational, and Performance Management
Scope and Responsibilities
  • Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of all programme activities during the inception phase (months 1–12), including country scoping missions, stakeholder consultations, and official launch events.
  • Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of the annual work plan, budget, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring consistency with strategic priorities and donor requirements.
  • Manage the operational team (representative officers, coordination and administrative support, proposal writer), ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, reporting lines, and effective workflows.
  • Ensure robust internal coordination, quality control, and timely delivery of outputs and milestones.
  • Put in place sound monitoring, reporting, accountability, and risk management systems aligned with institutional and donor standards.
  • Oversee the preparation and submission of technical, financial, and strategic reports, and support learning, adaptation, and continuous improvement processes.
Key deliverables
  • Inception report, including refined objectives, geographic scope, governance arrangements, and implementation roadmap.
  • Fully established and operational team with defined roles and coordination mechanisms.
  • Detailed Annual Work Plan and Budget, with periodic updates.
  • Country scoping mission reports and consolidated synthesis analysis.
  • Consultation workshops in the three priority countries, with documented outcomes and recommendations.
  • Official Initiative launch event(s), supported by communication products and stakeholder briefings.
  • Results framework, monitoring plan, and updated risk register.
  • Semi-annual and annual progress reports to MAECI and partners.
  • End-of-year synthesis report with lessons learned and recommendations for Phase II.


Requirements

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in International Development, Economics, Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Agriculture, Environmental Studies, or related fields.
  • Preferably a minimum of 15 years of progressive professional experience in senior project or programme management roles within international development or related fields.
  • Strong knowledge of the cocoa sector and the dynamics of other tropical commodities, with demonstrated familiarity with stakeholder engagement and interaction processes in African countries. Comprehensive understanding of food sustainability issues from both corporate and public sector perspectives.
  • Proven experience managing complex, multi-country and multi-stakeholder initiatives, including coordination with government counterparts, international organizations, private-sector actors, and civil society.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive and high-level institutional environments, including engagement with ministries and diplomatic actors.
  • Strong experience in strategic planning, operational management, and team leadership, with the ability to translate vision into implementable work plans.
  • Solid understanding of donor-funded programmes, governance structures, and accountability frameworks.
  • Experience in agriculture, value chains, climate resilience, sustainability, or human rights–based programming is a strong asset.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and representation skills, with the ability to build trust and consensus among diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.
  • Full professional proficiency in English and French (written and spoken).
  • Working knowledge of Italian is mandatory.
  • Willingness and availability to travel internationally.

Benefits


Terms of employment
This is a full-time consultancy position based in Rome, Italy, with extensive international travel, for an initial duration of 12 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance, continued need, and availability of funds. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and aligned with institutional standards.


Applications
Please apply online through the website (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers) no later than 9 March 2026, including reference number 22007659, attaching the following:
  1. A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) (using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting).
  2. A technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) demonstrating their suitability for the role. The proposal should clearly demonstrate how the candidate’s experience aligns with the responsibilities and deliverables of the role. The proposal should highlight the methodology to be used in achieving:
    1. Strategic leadership and governance, including multi-stakeholder engagement and high-level representation.
    2. Programme and operational management, including planning, team coordination, work plans, budgets, and monitoring.
    3. Sector expertise in cocoa or related value chains, sustainability, and climate resilience.
    4. Partnership and resource mobilization, including public-private initiatives like the Italian Sustainable Cocoa Platform (ISCP).
  3. In the CV, including the names and email addresses of three professional referees who have worked with you and are knowledgeable about your skills and professional abilities.
  4. Proposed consultancy fees for the period, indicated in daily USD.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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Closing date for applications: 9 March 2026
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