Program Manager, Accelerated Breeding Initiative (ABI)

The One CGIAR Accelerated Breeding Initiative (ABI) is recruiting a program manager. ABI sets the vision and direction for all breeding in the CGIAR, across all crops and regions and, together with our partners, for improved partnerships; all for the purpose of maximizing impact against the CGIAR 5 impact areas . The ABI proposal  sets out an ambitious and exciting plan for the modernization and evolution of CGIAR breeding and partnerships with NARES toward greater impact.

In the 20th Century, crop breeding drove tremendous gains in food production and profitability that fed a rapidly expanding world population. Along with improved farm management practices, breeding now offers unique opportunities to mitigate the impact of climate change and to help farmers — particularly those in developing and emerging economies — to adapt to climate shocks while meeting the rising demand for food and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.

This new position will be responsible for supporting and monitoring consistent and substantive progress against the ABI results framework. This will involve working closely with work package leads, crop leads and breeding teams, and support networks to put processes and systems in place to ensure the successful execution of work plans. Working closely with the ABI lead you will co-develop strategic plans for overcoming challenges and mitigating risks. This position will, in time, be supported by project managers in addition to personnel providing administrative and finance support.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is not-for-profit agricultural research for development organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org. By providing important outcomes to under-resourced peoples, the CGIAR centers help realize the founding mission of the CGIAR system – they target low-and-middle-income countries for greater impact on food and nutrition security, climate change adaptation, and development.

The positions will be based at CIMMYT headquarter in Texcoco, near Mexico City.

Specific Duties:

• Coordinate the implementation of the Initiative’s results-based management framework, associated work plans and MELIA activities through agreed processes and tools.
• Advise leaders and team members on how to use results-based management frameworks and performance management tools. Highlight systemic bottlenecks to the Initiative leadership.
• Collect, collate, review, and disseminate the Initiative’s annual and multi-year strategies, associated work plans, budgets, reports, and other agreed project management type information.
• Work with Communications to compile final reports and identify topics for wider communication.
• Interact with the CGIAR Portfolio Performance team to understand system-wide requirements.
• Participate in evolving the Initiative’s management framework, in interaction with Initiative leadership, the CGIAR Portfolio Performance team, and other experts.
• Ensure information crucial for the successful management of the Initiative is updated and available to leaders, team members, and critical stakeholders.
• Support internal and external reviews and evaluations.
• Manage and oversee the work plan of Accelerated Breeding project managers.
• Conduct other assignments aligned with this job description, as agreed with the supervisor. 

Preferred Academic Qualifications, Skills, and Attitudes:

• Master’s degree in Project Management, International Development, or Business Management, or equivalent experience in the management of complex projects.
• A multi-project work environment for more than 5 years, part of that in an international environment.
• Developing and implementing MELIA plans and reports.
• Supporting scientists and other professionals to understand MELIA concepts.
• An academic or applied research organization is a plus.
• The selected candidate must have an aptitude for teamwork as a member of an interdisciplinary team in a multicultural environment and should have the ability to interact across partner organizations and be cognizant of funders’ demands.
• Proficiency in various office software and MEL tools.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is essential, and knowledge of a second language; in particular, Spanish, or French, will be viewed favorably.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Client Orientation, Communication, and Teamwork.

The position is for an initial fixed-term of three (3) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health, and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

Candidates must apply here for IRS22121_Program Manager, Accelerated Breeding Initiative. Screening and follow-up of applications will begin on Thursday, March 2^nd, 2023. Applications must include a CV with contact from 3 work references and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. For further information on the selection process, please contact Yessica Castillo, at y.castillo@cgiar.org

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled. 

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.