Research Team Leader - Climate Action and Agricultural Development at Bioversity International

• The Research Team Leader will support the Alliance’s strategic objectives under its Climate Action Lever, emphasizing the integration of scientific findings, alongside associated tools, information, approaches, and services into actionable strategies, policies, plans, and practices for climate resilience. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams within the Alliance, One CGIAR Initiatives, and external partners, the role will focus on scaling agricultural innovations and implementing support projects, with a significant role in enhancing climate adaptation through climate information services. A primary project for support will be the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), among others, aiming to improve climate resilience and sustainable agriculture practices.

Key duties & responsibilities

• Oversee the execution of climate action and agricultural development projects, including the development of knowledge management and communication strategies, partnership coordination, and innovation scaling. Ensure robust tracking, reporting on progress, and adjustments to strategies as needed.
• Lead the capture and dissemination of knowledge across projects, leveraging lessons learned and best practices to enhance climate action and agricultural development.
• Drive the adoption of successful innovations, focusing on climate information services for adaptation, and provide grassroots implementation support.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to advance project objectives, emphasizing collaboration among global and regional climate action efforts and identification of synergies and collaborative opportunities.
• Work closely with on-the-ground program implementers, such as national agricultural research and extension systems (NAERS), private sector to translate research into actionable projects and interventions.
• Collaborate with actors in both formal and informal education systems to integrate research into education and training programs, enhancing future leadership in climate resilience. This includes formal academic institutions such as universities, as well as NARES and their concomitant agricultural and technical colleges such as those in agricultural, technical, vocational education, and training (ATVET) systems.
• Implement a communication strategy to promote project outcomes and impacts, share successes and learnings, and advocate for supportive policies and practices in climate action and agri-food systems. This includes the advancement of strategic communications and outreach activities, including but not limited to conferences and webinars, integration of knowledge within internal and external newsletters, briefs, blogs, and white papers, digital media, and communications outputs generally.
• Manage Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks to assess and guide project impacts and contribute to global and regional knowledge on effective practices.
• Conduct fundraising and proposal writing to secure financial support for project sustainability and expansion.
• Lead or contribute to formal peer-reviewed as well as non-peer reviewed publications in the areas of climate, agriculture, food security and nutrition, and sustainable development.
• Assist in the recruitment of and provision of guidance, mentorship, and supervision for junior staff, research assistants, and/or interns.

Requirements

• A master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field, such as Climate Science, International Development, Agricultural Science.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in program management, with a significant focus on climate action, agricultural development, and small-scale producers.
• Demonstrated success in partnership development and management, knowledge management, innovation scaling, and implementation in development contexts in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Proven track record in integrating climate information services into agricultural practices and decision-making processes.
• Experience in designing and implementing capacity-building programs through academic curricula and short-term courses, incorporating innovative approaches and technologies.
• Exceptional communication skills, adept at developing strategic communication plans and materials for various audiences.
• Proficiency in MEL and fundraising, with successful proposal development and donor engagement experience.
• Must be fluent in English. Knowledge of other languages spoken in the region will be a plus, in particular French.
• Must be able to travel up to 40% of the time.