Bioversity International Careers

The Research Associates will be responsible for planning, coordinating, accompanying and the roll-out of different stakeholder engagements, sustainable farming and related research activities.

Requirements

• At least BSc Degree in Agriculture, Social Science, Community Development & Gender Studies or its equivalent.
• Further related studies are an advantage.
• Additional professional training in community development, engagement approaches, and sustainable agriculture are added advantages.
• Minimum 7+ Years of experience in related field.

Main responsibilities

• Attend a two-week training to get familiarized with the evidence synthesis research topic and protocol, data extraction tool, and quality control processes.
• Screen publications against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, using human-assisted machine learning methods.
• Extract relevant data on adaptation effectiveness following a structured protocol, including causal evidence of effectiveness, study design, data collection methods, ensuring comprehensive coverage of gray and peer-reviewed literature.
• Ensure data quality and consistency, verifying data accuracy, validity, and reliability.
• Contribute to the refinement of the data extraction system by providing feedback on workflow improvements and reporting technical issues.
• Participate in regular team meetings and report progress via internal communication tools (e.g., Slack, Google Sheets, Notion).
• Contribute to data analysis and co-author research outputs, based on interest.

Requirements

Required qualifications and experience

• Advanced Degree in Agronomy, Agroecology, Environmental Sciences, Livestock Science, Landscape Ecology, Policy, Agricultural or Development Economics, International Agricultural Development, Climate Change, or related field.
• Proven experience with climate change adaptation projects in the agricultural sector
• Familiarity with systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or evidence synthesis methods in climate adaptation and/or agriculture.
• Understanding of methodologies used in adaptation assessments, including evaluations and impact assessments. Proven experience with econometrics/quantitative analysis is preferred.
• Proven ability to critically assess research methodologies and identify sources of bias in climate adaptation literature.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-cultural, remote team environment under tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of French is an asset.
• Proficiency in data analysis and documentation tools, including Microsoft Office (Excel), Google Sheets, and Slack. Experience with R/Python is a plus.

Main responsibilities

• Guarding the entire fenced aggregated farms in Agoro East on a rotational day and night plan.
• Patrolling of the entire premises at the beginning and before end of each shift.
• Monitor and secure the established farm components, including entrance and exit areas.
• Checking the identification and authorize entrance for landowners within the aggregated farms as well as project teams, visitors, vehicles etc.
• Prevent losses of properties, equipment, structures etc. Established by the Nature Positive Initiative and the participating farmers within the aggregated farms.
• Submit weekly security reports to the community project committee and field assistant on time.
• Be vigilant with trespassers and report crime or vandalism. Incidents to the community project committee and field assistant on time.
• Respond to security emergencies.
• Perform other security and related functions as required in the operations of the aggregated farms.

Requirements

Education qualifications and experience

• Have a Kenyan National Identification.
• Minimum of a Kenya Certificate of Primary Education.
• Be at least 18 years of age, physically and mentally fit and in good health.
• Transparently selected and fronted individual by the project community.
• Good moral character and reputation within the community.
• Certificate of Good Conduct
• Recommendation letter from the Chief​

• The Associate Officer will report directly to the Senior Manager, Science Engagement and Resource Mobilization, with a secondary reporting line to the Research Area (Lever) Directors. The primary responsibilities include managing all aspects of the proposal development process on behalf of Researchers, such as identifying and pursuing high-priority, high-likelihood fundraising opportunities, coordinating pre-award services from various support units, ensuring compliance with proposal development procedures, and providing procedural guidance throughout the process.
• In this role, Associate Officer will handle all processes management, coordination, administration, inter-unit collaboration, and timeline planning activities related to large, priority proposals. This allows Researchers to focus solely on the scientific content of their proposals, knowing that all other aspects of proposal preparation are being expertly managed. The Associate Officers will work closely with all relevant units involved in the Alliance’s Proposal Development Process (PDP) to ensure seamless and efficient proposal development.

Main responsibilities

• Proposal Management and Coordination: Lead the management and coordination of all aspects of the proposal development process for large, complex proposals (≥US$2 million) on behalf of Researchers. This includes timeline planning, ensuring adherence to compliance requirements, and managing contributions from various support units.
• Pre-Award Services Coordination: Act as the central point of contact for coordinating all pre-award support services involved in proposal development. Work closely with Finance, Legal, the OPD Proposal Enhancement team, and other relevant units to ensure that administrative, budgetary, and legal requirements are met.
• Opportunity Analysis and Decision Support: Provide strategic and procedural guidance to Researchers by conducting opportunity analysis, helping them make informed go/no-go decisions regarding funding opportunities. This involves evaluating the alignment with organizational goals, the likelihood of success, and the availability of resources.
• Process Management: Oversee the proposal timeline and manage the flow of information between stakeholders to ensure that all necessary steps are completed on schedule. This includes coordinating with Lever Program Management Officers (PMOs), the OPD Proposal Enhancement team, the Project Financial Analysis and Support (PLANS) team, and Regional Partnerships Officers.
• Learning and Improvement: Collaborate with the Head of Science Engagement and Resource Mobilization, PIs, and other contributing scientists to systematize lessons learned from both successful and unsuccessful proposals, aiming to enhance future proposal development processes.
• Administrative and Compliance Support: Handle all administrative tasks related to proposal development, including document management, scheduling, and compliance checks, ensuring that Researchers are free to focus on the scientific content of their proposals.
• Knowledge Sharing and Communication: Share insights, knowledge, and priorities with Science Communications Associate Officers to ensure that proposals are not only scientifically robust but also clearly communicated to potential funders.
• Engagement responsibilities
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between PIs, Lever Directors, and all relevant support units, ensuring alignment throughout the proposal development process.
• Stakeholder Interaction: Engage with Finance, OPD, Legal, and other key stakeholders to ensure all administrative, budgetary, and legal aspects are seamlessly integrated into the proposal preparation and submission process.
• Decision Support: Provide opportunity analysis insights to assist PIs in making informed go/no-go decisions, ensuring that proposals align with organizational goals and have a high likelihood of success.
• Delivery responsibilities
• Proposal Drafting and Coordination: Produce and refine initial drafts of large, complex proposals, ensuring timely input from all contributors and adherence to submission deadlines.
• Guidance Documentation: Prepare inputs for written guidance notes for high-value funding calls (≥$1 million), ensuring consistency and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Process Management: Oversee the end-to-end management of proposal timelines and deliverables, ensuring all steps are completed efficiently and on schedule.
• Learning Integration: Contribute to post-proposal evaluations and integrate lessons learned into future proposal processes for continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Education qualifications and experience
• Education
• Master’s degree in agricultural, environmental, or biological sciences, international development, business administration, science communications, or related fields.
• Fluency in English at C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), with proven high-level verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of French is desirable.

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in resource mobilization and research proposal development, particularly in agriculture, environment, rural development, and/or natural or social sciences.
• Proven experience in managing large, complex, technical proposals (≥US$2 million) in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams in international settings.
• Experience in preparing analyses, guidance notes, or educational materials to support proposal development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multi-cultural and interdisciplinary environments.

The Analyst, reporting to the Regional IT Operations and Service Desk Coordinator, will provide support to IT operations and maintenance of the local regional office as well as other offices of the Alliance. 

Key duties & responsibilities

• Clone/Install/Configure/Maintain/Troubleshoot client hardware/software and follow procedures to maintain best performance on the workstations and laptops.
• Support redaction/review of documentation for clients as well as for internal procedure.
• Perform basic printer maintenance/troubleshooting duties. 
• Perform basic equipment maintenance/troubleshooting duties (Desktop and Laptop). 
• Maintain accurate log of all Service Desk calls using tracking software.
• Be the first point of contact for hardware and software problems affecting computers. 
• Provide support to regional offices staff with remote assistance tools where applicable. 
• Use of standard IT Operations and Service Desk operating procedures.
• Provide IT support to guests, to meetings and conferences, with an outlook for improvement based on new technologies, modalities, and requirements. 
• Promote the full range of IT Services to newly hired staff through the induction process. 
• Provide necessary end-user training in software and systems, to ensure an effective work environment.  Informs the ITOSD regional coordinator and/or the ITOSD Manager of issues affecting delivery of service  
• Assist in maintaining the Organization’s worldwide hardware/software inventory. 
• Liaise with external technical support where applicable, Available to travel on mission to different countries. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in IT support, help desk, or a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of information systems, including operating systems (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux), hardware, and software applications.
• Familiarity with remote support tools and troubleshooting techniques.
• Experience with hardware/software inventory management systems.
• Proficiency in stakeholder engagement, with a focus on providing excellent customer service.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on new IT trends and technologies.
• Knowledge of network configurations, basic printer troubleshooting, and equipment maintenance.
• Availability to travel internationally to provide on-site support as needed.

Key responsibilities

Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) Framework

• Support the design of the IMM (both investments and for Technical Assistance (TA)); the theory of change, the measurement plan, and the relevant policies and processes.
• Advice on impact tools, screening, due-diligence, assessments and report templates and guidance across the portfolio of IFs to bring in industry experience and critically review their adequation for FASA needs.

Due Diligence & Investments

• Contribute, alone or together with CGIAR Impact Officer, to the evaluation of investment proposals, including via investment and impact memos.
• Review and recommend suggestions for the impact and other relevant sections of the TA concept notes.

Capacity Building

• During due diligence, advise CGIAR Impact Officer and work with investees to improve their IMM, policies and procedures, including impact data collection and monitoring.
• Design training modules for Fund Managers / FASA investees on agriculture topics, climate finance, climate risks etc.

Deliverables and timeframe per activity

Review Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) Framework

Deliverables and Time frame

• Co-developed Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) Framework. (31 March 2025)

Due diligence Advisory for Investments, including review of data room and contribution to calls with IFs

Deliverables and Time frame

• Co-developed impact section of investment memorandum for up to 5 IFs. (ongoing until 31 March 2025)

Methodology for climate knowledge test and climate training courses prepared. Capacity building training to IFs and coaching sessions with incoming CGIAR impact officer

Deliverables and Time frame

• Co-developed climate knowledge test and climate training course. (31 March 2025)
• Delivered coaching sessions with fund managers to improve their IMM framework. (ongoing until 31 March 2025)
• Delivered coaching sessions to incoming CGIAR impact officer. (ongoing until 31 March 2025).

Requirements

Education qualifications and experience

•  Advanced degree in Economics, Finance or Business Administration required.
• Minimum 10 years working experience at international level in sustainable finance, climate finance and/or impact investing.Direct experience working in the financial services industry or in a top-tier consulting firm strongly preferred.
• Strong experience in pipeline development and in structuring investment vehicles with public and private investors.
• Strong experience working on climate finance, sustainable finance, and/or other related fields. Proven experience in designing and bringing to the market an innovative financial product.
• Good understanding of food systems and climate related challenges in developing countries, and how environmental and social issues relate to business risks and opportunities.
• Intellectually curious and business-driven to deliver innovative and high impact results to clients.
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office, with advanced Power Point/presentation skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
•  Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative, and decentralized environment, and operate under tight deadlines.

The Resource Mobilization Analyst will support the development and implementation of resource mobilization strategies to secure funding and partnerships for organizational programs and initiatives. The role involves conducting donor research, preparing funding proposals, managing donor relationships, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements. The analyst collaborates with internal teams to align funding opportunities with organizational goals and provides regular updates on funding pipelines and opportunities

Key duties & responsibilities

• Spearheads efforts to secure the financial and other resources needed for the Alliance to accomplish its mission.
• Oversee coordination of the project pipeline: synchronize proposal submissions; support proposal development; maintain records of the resource mobilization cycle and lessons learnt.
• Provide support on administrative matters, and the submission and follow up of all proposals.
• Donor information: maintain donor contacts database.
• Provide accurate pipeline information for data entry, analysis and management decision-making.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are adequately reflected in the project proposals to be submitted.
• Work closely with different units/stakeholders within the organization and other users during the proposal development stage.

Requirements

Required qualifications and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related fields
• Minimum of two (2) years progressive experience in resource mobilization, administration or related field.
• Knowledge in fundraising and experience of prospect research.
• Proficiency in relevant software programs and office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Desirable: Agresso, Power BI.
• Excellent communication skills in English both verbal and written including the ability to organize and write clear and concise reports; French or Spanish language will be desirable
• Demonstrated capacity to work with interdisciplinary teams in a culturally diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative, and decentralized environment, and operate    under tight deadlines.
•  Excellent organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines while still maintaining attention to detail and accuracy, and problem solve effectively.
• Previous experience working for international development and/or research organizations, NGOs or UN agencies is highly desirable.

The Analyst will be part of a team that endeavors to support the Alliance researchers throughout the entire research lifecycle, and also supports the design and implementation of Information Management activities, workflows, processes, and quality objectives around institutional strategic objectives. This position consists of being the main focal point for the Africa region for all matters that are related to Information Management and Open Science. This position will be located at the Alliance office in Nairobi, Kenya.

Responsibilities

• Engage primarily with researchers and project teams in the Africa region and provide the necessary support for their research needs.  
• Work closely with the Data Management Team in developing the TIP platform, and other information/data projects. 
• Collaborate with CGIAR teams and regional organizations as required to further improve information management and open science within the Alliance.
• Become the primary focal point for the Africa region regarding information management and open science.
• Ensure that researchers are kept informed about developments concerning scholarly publishing, open access and information management trends and issues.
• Ensure that researchers are aware and well versed on how to use the research tools, platforms and scholarly resources available to them. 
• Engage directly with data in Alliance IM&OS systems such as TIP and CGSpace to ensure Africa research is well managed and informs the Alliance strategic research results indicators. 

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in information management, or Library Science, or any other related field
• Having worked in an international, special library for at least one year
• Proven experience with working with researchers and understanding /anticipating their research needs
• Proven experience of working with the DSpace platform
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Great organizational skills, including time management, and the ability to multitask.
• Excellent computer literacy in standard software applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint. 
• Excellent written and communication skills; good command of the English language.

The Research Associate – Laboratory Services position is responsible for enhancing team field operations and coordination, ensuring an organized and efficient work environment. The individual will work closely with project leaders and project scientists to manage both office and field activities for ongoing projects in Kenya. This role includes overseeing soil analysis through spectroscopy, as well as the analysis of plants, fertilizer, and manure. Additionally, the Research Associate will be responsible for scheduling maintenance for all laboratory equipment, ensuring that​ all tools and instruments are in optimal working condition to support research activities.

  Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensuring the lab and all lab equipment are in working status including availability of required re-agents.
• Coordinating and or receiving, documenting and processing of samples delivered to the lab.
• Conducting and overseeing soil and plant analyses following established/appropriate lab procedures and protocols.
• Keeping records of samples, re-agents and analyses data.
• Maintaining cleanliness and organization of laboratory spaces and ensuring compliance with laboratory safety protocols and regulations and ethical standards.
• Developing protocols, supporting establishment and management of field trials and demonstrations of the MFL within CGIAR Scaling for Impact Accelerator.
• Undertaking field data and sample collection related to the field/demonstration trials
• Participating in other field activities such as field days, farmer mobilization, capacity building or any others assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

Required Education Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Soil Science, or Environmental Science, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Biology, Agronomy or related field.
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in any of the above is an added advantage
• Experience in soil spectroscopy equipment and methods
• Knowledge of field sampling techniques and data collection methods
• Knowledge in writing soil analysis recommendation reports.
• Familiarity with project management, prior experience with the management of specific projects would be considered an asset.
• Strong organizational and detail-oriented skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with online collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams; Teams).
• Knowledge of records management