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
Based in Rome, Italy, reporting to the Manager, Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement, the Associate Officer, Partnerships & Global Engagement will coordinate and supports the Alliance’s participation in large-scale strategic events and global policy processes (such as those related to international Frameworks and Conventions) contributing to raising the visibility of the Organization on the global stage, strengthening the network of partners, and positioning our innovations and technologies in the hands of users. The Associate Officer will also support communication, engagement and partnership activities for the Office of the Director-General (ODG).

Responsibilities
  • Coordinate the Alliance in planning, organizing, implementing, and participating in global policy processes and events.
  • Identify opportunities for positioning the Alliance in major events, in coordination with event organizers.
  • Support public relations for the DG and Senior Management at meetings and events, through strategic briefing and preparatory materials.
  • Perform other tasks and initiatives assigned by the supervisor.
  • Contribute to partnership and engagement activities through the identification and strengthening ongoing collaboration, building coalitions, drafting MOUs, and setting of bilateral meetings.
  • Coordinate internal workflows across science groups, regional teams, and communications units to ensure coherent Alliance contributions to global processes and events.
  • Foster cross-team capacity building by developing simple guidance, templates, and to support scientists’ participation in global policy fora.
  • Develop communication assets - including presentations and op-eds - for the Director General and Senior Management.
  • Deliver strategic research and timely analytical inputs to support services or projects.
  • Ensure the effective implementation and delivery of agreed work plans for services or projects.


Requirements

  • Postgraduate degree in international relations, sustainable development, food security and human development.
  • Relevant professional experience (minimum 5–7 years is desirable) in event management, external relations and partnerships.
  • Experience supporting high-level representation (DG, senior executives) through briefs, talking points, and strategic communications.
  • Demonstrated experience coordinating or contributing to global policy processes, such as UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD, UNFSS, or other intergovernmental fora.
  • Proven track record in organizing large-scale strategic events, conferences, side-events, and bilateral meetings, preferably in a multistakeholder environment.
  • Experience working in cross-cultural and multidisciplinary teams, ideally across multiple regions.
  • Experience producing high-quality written materials (speeches, op-eds, concept notes, strategic briefs).
  • Experience in project coordination, including planning, implementation tracking, and reporting.
  • Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken.
  • Excellent communication and writing skills, including the ability to draft speeches, briefs, op-eds, and strategic documents for senior leaders.
  • Strong event design and management skills: logistics, run-of-show drafting, speaker coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Ability to develop presentation and design assets using PowerPoint, Canva, and similar tools.
  • Strong analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize complex science and policy into clear messages.
  • Skilled in stakeholder engagement: convening partners, preparing bilateral meetings, and managing follow-ups.
  • Competence in monitoring workflows, project planning, and coordinating multiple teams.
  • Familiarity with global frameworks (SDGs, UNFCCC, CBD, food systems transformation).
  • Exceptional facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to support effective communication across all levels and build consensus in a multicultural disciplinary environment.


Benefits


Terms of employment
This is a nationally recruited position, based at the Alliance Headquarters, in Rome, Italy. The salary is level 8, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest and the salary range starts from EUR 50,024. 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 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

Please apply online through the website (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers) no later than 12 March 2026, attaching a curriculum vitae (CV) and motivation letter, both in English. The cover letter should include the reference number of the position – RFP500546.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Closing date for applications: 12 March 2026
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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.