Internal Call – Program Development Strategy Officer (Senior Officer) – Associate Director General Office

Job Description

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Internal Call

Program Development Strategy
Officer (Senior Officer)

Associate Director
General Office

The Organization

The Alliance of
Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture
(CIAT) 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.

The Alliance is
part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

About
the position

The Associate
Director General’s Office is seeking a Program
Development Strategy Officer (Senior
Officer – BG10), to support strategic leadership in
the design, coordination, and adaptation of institutional programs and
cross-portfolio initiatives under the guidance of the Associate Director
General for Research Strategy and Innovation (ADG).The Program Development Strategy Officer will apply scientific knowledge and experience in the
implementation of science to impact portfolios to support activities of the ADG
office that will drive innovation within
the organization’s research portfolio.

The role integrates scientific excellence with
innovation, supporting the identification, design, and implementation of new
approaches, and strengthening the relevance and impact of the thematic research
area through collaboration, partnerships, innovation and strategy alignment.

The position will be based in
the operations center of the Americas, located in the Campus of Palmira,
Colombia.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support the design, adaptation, and
  implementation of research and innovation initiatives under the ADG’s
  leadership and in support to the Alliance’s Research Areas, ensuring they align
  with the organization’s scientific priorities, emerging evidence, and Research
  Areas needs, while considering stakeholder, operational, and technological
  perspectives.

• Explore and connect emerging scientific and
  technological innovations with the organization’s research agenda, advising
  leadership and program teams on new opportunities, and helping translate these
  trends into practical strategies and program directions aligned with the thematic
  area.

• Support the implementation of mechanisms
  to incentivize innovation processes, working alongside teams as a trusted partner to support
  the development, testing, and refinement of innovative solutions.

• Collaborate closely with Research Area Directors, the
  Head of PISA, OPD, and other senior leaders to strengthen institutional
  coordination required to implement strategic initiatives, ensuring that the
  ADG’s strategic priorities are consistently interpreted, aligned, and advanced
  across functions, programs, and regions.

• Represent the ADG’s Office in engagements with external
  stakeholders, including CGIAR Centers, the System Office, donors, and strategic
  partners, ensuring clear communication, effective follow-up, and fulfillment of
  institutional commitments.

• Develop and strengthen networks and alliances with
  research institutions, innovation actors, and strategic partners, identifying
  opportunities for collaboration that enhance the relevance and positioning of Alliance’s
  thematic areas.

• Lead the preparation of high-quality scientific and
  analytical outputs, including strategic briefs, reports, and presentations,
  that support engagement with other stakeholders that are key for advancing
  Alliance research portfolios.

Benefits

Qualifications and requirements

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., agricultural
  sciences, environmental sciences, data science, biology, social sciences,
  innovation, or related disciplines).

• Significant experience in applied scientific
  research and program or portfolio management.

• Proven track record of contributing to leading
  research and innovation initiatives.

• Experience working in complex, interdisciplinary,
  or international environments.

• Demonstrated ability to integrate science,
  innovation, and strategic directions.

• Experience engaging with multiple stakeholders
  (research teams, leadership, partners, donors).

• Demonstrated capacity to apply scientific knowledge
  to real-world challenges.

• Ability to synthesize and translate scientific
  evidence into actionable insights.

• Strong experience coordinating cross-functional and
  cross-regional initiatives.

• Ability to act as a strategic partner to teams and
  programs.

• Experience in facilitating collaboration and
  mobilizing stakeholders without direct authority.

• Experience building and managing strategic
  partnerships and networks.

• Ability to engage with external stakeholders,
  including research institutions, partners, and donors

• Experience contributing to proposal development and
  funding opportunities.

• Excellent ability to produce high-quality
  scientific and analytical outputs (reports, briefs, publications).

• Strong skills in data analysis, synthesis, and
  evidence-based reasoning.

• Ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to
  diverse audiences (technical and non-technical).

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  in English and Spanish (oral and written).

Soft
Skills and Organizational Competences

• Curiosity
  and Continuous Learning: Actively seeks learning, challenges assumptions, and
  uses evidence to improve decisions.

• Entrepreneurial
  Mindset: Drives innovation, takes initiative, and identifies opportunities for
  impact.

• Collaboration
  and Inclusion: Builds trust, works across teams, and integrates diverse
  perspectives.

• Accountability
  and Empowerment: Takes ownership, acts with integrity, and delivers results.

• Leadership
  Competencies

• Strategic
  Leadership: Aligns decisions with mission and uses evidence to drive impact.

• People-Centered
  Leadership: Fosters inclusive environments and supports team performance and
  development.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Terms
Of Employment

The position level is BG10,
on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest . The salary
range will be established in accordance with the regional/country standards.
The contract will be for a period of one (1) year, subject to a probationary
period, and is renewable subject to performance, project needs and availability
of funds.

Closing date of the call: June 23rd, 2026.