Job Description
THE ORGANIZATION
The Alliance of Bioversity International ( www.bioversityinternational.org) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) ( www.ciat.cgiar.org) 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.
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 is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
About the position
Background
1. Background
Education remains central to youth development, yet in Kenya and across Africa, learning pathways are largely linear, exam-oriented, and time-bound. Opportunities for students to co-create and apply knowledge in real-world contexts remain limited.
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) emphasizes experiential learning, learner-centered approaches, and practical skills beyond exams. This project explores gamified, hands-on approaches to learning, providing students with opportunities to engage with food systems, sustainability, and nutrition in meaningful and applied ways. Gamification is central to influencing education outcomes and achieving positive, tangible results in the African education ecosystem.
The CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program is part of the CGIAR 2025–2030 Research and Innovation Portfolio. It advances integrated management of food, land, water, and ecosystems across scales. While implementation takes place at plot and farm level, where farmers make daily production decisions, these actions are designed to connect to landscape-level processes, where environmental systems, governance, markets, and social dynamics interact. By linking farm-level practice with landscape transformation, MFL supports coherent, system-wide change. The MFL SP is implemented in more than 10 countries in the world.
To support the scaling and sustainability of the Food Heroes Initiative, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT seeks a qualified consultant to finalize the Food Heroes digital game platform, integrate related digital assets, strengthen user experience and functionality, and ensure compliance with Alliance intellectual property (IP) requirements.
Terms of Reference
The purpose of this consultancy is to support further development, integration, testing, deployment, and institutionalization of the Food Heroes digital platform ecosystem for Kenyan schools.
The consultant will;
i) Support further development of the digital platform for the Food Heroes comic and game;
ii) Integrate and bundle all digital platforms and resources related to Food Heroes engagement into a coherent and user-friendly ecosystem and
iii) Regularize the digital platform in accordance with Alliance intellectual property regulations, branding, data protection, and digital governance requirements.
Requirements
Desired Qualifications
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Educational Technology, Digital Learning, Game Design, Software Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in digital platform development and management.
• Demonstrated experience in educational games, gamification, or digital learning platforms.
• Experience integrating web-based applications and digital content ecosystems.
• Knowledge of intellectual property, digital governance, and data protection requirements.
• Experience working with schools, youth-focused initiatives, or CBC-aligned learning programs is highly desirable.
• Experience in Africa and/or CGIAR-related projects will be an added advantage.
Reporting and Accountability
The Consultant will report directly to Scientist II-Multifunctional Landscape.
Duration and Hours
Monday to Friday and on Weekends if there is need.
Benefits
The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with a competitive remuneration. We are an equal opportunity employer, and strive for
gender, diversity and inclusion in our staff, without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic.
Applications
Applicants are invited to visit https://www.bioversityinternational.org/jobs/ to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number Ref: CONSULTANT – FOOD HEROES GAME as the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting.
Note: The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). The Alliance also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.