RFP300366 - Associate Project Team Leader MENA Ecosystem Engagement

The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT delivers researchbased 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 foodsecure future dedicated to reducing poverty enhancing food and nutrition security and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

Background of the position

Recently the Alliance launched the Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) to enhance the sharing

scaling and deployment of sciencebased innovations. A4IP works systematically with nontraditional partners such as missionaligned incubators and accelerators leading R4D laboratories and forwardthinking investors (e.g. venture studios venture capitalists impact philanthropists). The aim is to integrate scientists and partners into resultoriented teams that will address challenges in agriculture and food systems while contributing to the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

A4IP seeks to scale transformative technologies by utilizing existing and future CGIAR research and fostering synergies with inhouse scientists. The platform has been identified as a strategic priority within CGIAR garnering significant support and attention. This is an exciting time to join the Alliance as the successful candidate will engage in new opportunities shaping the future of this scaling innovation platform under CGIAR.

About the position

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is seeking a highly motivated Associate Project Team Leader who will contribute to stakeholder engagement and the implementation of core accelerator activities specifically in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Focus on replicating the methodology and applying lessons learned from a comparable project AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge 2024 to support and accelerate sciencebased agritech innovations relevant to the local context. The incumbent will support in managing the core accelerator activities aim to provide a robust entrepreneurial framework that connects research breakthroughs to market applications offering business training technical assistance networking opportunities pilot testing for product validation and essential resources for startups to thrive.

Key duties & Responsibilities

• Act as the project s focal point in the region for external partners and stakeholders ensuring effective collaboration and establishing clear communication channels.
  
• Support in contributing to the engagement strategies to scout develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in the startup ecosystem/innovation space and industry leaders in MENA aiming to expand A4IP s influence and project reach. This involves coordinating internal teams with cohort needs and connecting them with top advisors and mentors within our network.
  
• Contribute to developing and maintaining relationships with multiple corporate partners identifying collaboration opportunities for our startups and facilitating partnership discussions to enhance the growth and reach of cohort companies.
  
• Support in identifying and securing fundraising opportunities from innovation support organizations (e.g. Venture Studios Venture Capitalists Venture Funds Impact philanthropists and Banks) in the MENA region.
  

Project management

• Contribute to providing direction and leadership in the daytoday project implementation ensuring smooth operations and alignment with its overall objectives budget and timeline.
  
• Support in developing and implementing core accelerator programs that support agritech startups from ideation to market entry. This includes designing the program curriculum and content to address the critical needs of cohorts and setting objectives to meet those needs.
  
• Contribute to providing strategic oversight in developing key project documentation (e.g. Terms of Reference work plan agenda and reports) and external content (e.g. PowerPoint presentations website content social media and blogs) in both English and Arabic.
  
• Facilitate meetings workshops and events with partners and donors.
  
• Contribute to managing internal resources and plan strategic events that align with our business objectives such as talent and startup recruitment fostering the tech ecosystem and assisting startups in securing investment rounds.
  
• Collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to analyse project data identify lessons learned and pinpoint areas for improvement ensuring that these insights are integrated into project reporting in alignment with AICS s (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation) internal standards procedures and documentation.
  
• Compile progress reports and deliver insights to project partners and stakeholders ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
  

• Contribute to activities of research on emerging trends in the startup ecosystem innovation landscape and key market drivers in the MENA region to identify insights and trends that may impact project outcomes or present new opportunities for growth.
  
• Support in synthesising research into actionable recommendations ensuring that lessons learned are documented and used to refine future project strategies and improve overall project performance.
  

Requirements

• Post graduate degree in International Development International Relations Economics Business administration or other relevant field.
  
• Demonstrated understanding of the agritech innovation ecosystem (e.g. key trends actors and market dynamics that influence the development and scaling of startups) and a solid network within the agritech and innovation space in the MENA region.
  
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in project management and communications within an accelerator incubator or similar entrepreneurial support environment preferably in agritech or related sectors in Egypt or the MENA region.
  
• Proven track record of designing and managing complex projects implemented by AICS (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation) preferably in Egypt with expertise in navigating internal practices project cycle management its intervention logic Monitoring and Evaluation documentation and reporting and budget management and reporting.
  
• Experienced in managing events and corporate relationships aligning them with startups needs.
  
• Experienced in designing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies to promote collaboration and foster longterm partnerships.
  
• Skilled in building effective working relationships with team members through strong leadership and guidance.
  
• Fluency in English and Arabic with strong verbal and written communication skills to produce clear and concise reports. Knowledge of an additional language particularly Italian will be an added advantage.
  
• Proven research skills to analyse emerging trends synthesise findings and translate insights into actionable recommendations for projects.
  

Benefits

Terms of employment

This is an internationally recruited position and will be based in Cairo Egypt. The initial contract will be for up to two 2 years subject to a probation period of six 6 months and is renewable depending on the performance and availability of resources.

This position is graded at BG08 level with a minimum basic annual salary of USD 44248 per annum on a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the Alliance job classification framework policy). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to insurance retirement plan staff training and development paid time off and flexible working arrangements.

The Alliance BioversityCIAT 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.

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number RFP300366 Associate Project Team Leader MENA Ecosystem Engagement as the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate s last name and first name for ease of sorting.

Applications closing date: 3^rd April 2025

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat