The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International 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.

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.

About the position

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is looking for a highly skilled Senior Research Associate to support the climate action team's finance and investments research area. 

The Senior Research associate in finance and Investments will play a pivotal role in integrating research activities with the delivery of support in financial tools for agriculture risk management, through bundled business models, in support of turning policy priorities into bankable and profitable solutions for public and private sector, whilst contributing to net zero and climate resilient development for vulnerable communities. The candidate will also ensure effective delivery of projects within the Climate Action lever of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, supporting the achievement of goals in the Finance and Investments research Area.

Key duties & responsibilities

Objectives

• Contribute to the Implementation and delivery research projects and initiatives, aligning with organizational goals and ensuring adherence to schedules and resource allocations.
  
• Manage design related field work, data collection, and reporting mechanisms to bolster research project execution, drawing upon an extensive background in finance and investment processes.
  
• Engage proactively with both internal research teams and external partners, guiding data collection efforts and ensuring research requisites are fulfilled efficiently, to support product delivery for end users (SMEs, MFIs, and Smallholder farmers).
  

Collaboration and Advisory

• Provide expert advice on operational capacities, refining processes, and protocols to mitigate potential project execution challenges.
  
• Establish and maintain robust coordination with external entities for the effective gathering of on-site data, aligning with overarching research objectives.
  
• Cultivate a cooperative atmosphere among stakeholders, leveraging supervisory skills to anticipate and rectify issues impacting research progress.
  

Legacy Responsibilities and Innovations

• Employ an analytical approach to refine research methodologies, informed by experience in process-oriented roles within the finance and investment sectors.
  
• Integrate and enhance investment strategies for climate-smart agriculture, including detailed analysis and development of investment packages focused on sustainable practices.
  
• Conduct comprehensive mapping of both national and international financial institutions, identifying potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
  
• Develop business models and investment packages for financial products and offerings, emphasizing climate adaptation and mitigation solutions with additional socio-economic benefits.
  
• Lead advanced analytical initiatives, assessing business models, cost-benefit analyses, and investment returns, incorporating sensitivity analyses to inform strategic decisions.
  
• Innovate and develop analytical tools to support stakeholder decision-making, improving program development and implementation across government and non-governmental sectors.
  
• Develop training manuals for financial products for climate risk management.
  

Requirements

• Master's degree in economics, finance, accounting, or related field
  
• A professional background in Finance, Investments, or a closely related field, with a preference for candidates holding a master's degree.
  
• Demonstrated experience in managing process-driven work, supervisory roles that required leading research teams towards successful outcomes an advantage.
  
• Proficiency in English at an intermediate level, with additional language skills considered beneficial.
  

Terms of employment

This is a full-time position with an initial contract of 2 years at our Nairobi office. Succeeding contract will be issued and renewed, based on performance and availability of resources. This position is subjected to an initial three-month probation period and is graded at level BG7 (Senior research associate) on a scale of 14 levels, with BG14 being the highest level. The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity.

The Alliance offers a highly extensive benefits inclusive of global-covered medical insurance, accident and life insurance, retirement savings benefits, leave credits, and other allowances.

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number REF: 103635/103636 - Senior Finance and Investment Associate as the position applied for. Cover letter and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate's last name, first name for ease of sorting. The Alliance collects and process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Applications closing date: 6th May 2024

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org