Back Internal call (Alliance Staff only) - (RFP500153) Advisor, GFAiR (Leuven, Belgium)

Internal Vacancy Announcement

(RFP500153)

Advisor, GFAiR

The Organization

The Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAiR) is a voluntary multi-stakeholder network and movement for change, uniquely bringing together actors from 13 constituencies interested in the transformation of the Agri-Food System. GFAiR is made up of app. 1,000 member networks and institutions, working together through collective advocacy and action, to shape the future of agriculture and food and their role in achieving sustainable development. The partners in GFAiR come from all around the world and across many constituencies, including farmers, consumers and civil society organizations, women and youth organizations, the private sector, public national and international research systems, advisory services, education, donor bodies and three UN Organizations. GFAiR's reach is achieved through these organizations and the many millions of people they involve.     

GFAiR mobilizes dialogue and Collective Actions between the many partners who make up the Forum and who share GFAiR's common vision of making agri-food research and innovation more effective, responsive, and equitable towards achieving Sustainable Development outcomes. The GFAiR Secretariat helps trigger these Collective Actions among GFAiR partner institutions, who are themselves the agents of change. GFAiR helps inspire and enable the transformation and strengthening of agri-food research and innovation for development systems and processes to become more inclusive and equitable, more effective, and impactful and catalyses changes, fostering dialogue and new forms of multi stakeholder collaboration at different levels, through its extensive networks, South- South, North South and between constituencies.

On behalf of GFAiR, the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Advisor.

About the position

Based in Leuven, Belgium and under the supervision of the GFAiR Executive Secretary the Advisor will be responsible for the conceptualization and implementation of relevant Collective Actions (CA) with GFAiR partners and other outputs (outreach, resource mobilization, communication) based on the EC-funded project, GFAiR's Charter, GFAiR's Partnership Principles and its Engagement Principles. The Advisor will facilitate the processes establishing GFAiR-enabled multi-stakeholder CAs, ensuring equitable participation of partners from different constituencies and regions with a special focus on small-scale producers, women, and youth. The Advisor will coordinate and support GFAiR Governing Bodies, Secretariat as well as partners in communication, outreach, fundraising, knowledge management, MEL and reporting, inter alia by using GFAiR's MEL system and GFAiR's Knowledge and Learning Hub.

Responsibilities

More specifically, the Advisor will execute the following tasks:

• Advises and supports the GFAiR Executive Secretary of GFAiR, the GFAiR governing bodies and GFAiR representatives in governance activities such as Steering Committee meetings, Executive Committee meetings, conferences and workshops.
  
• Strengthens connections and cultivates enhanced value within relationships involving CGIAR/ABC, IFAD, FAO, and other stakeholders.
  
• Mobilizes and facilitates dialogue among partners, particularly within the context of the Global National Agricultural Research System (NARS) Consortium, Collective Actions, and other GFAiR initiatives.
  
• Spearheads and develops GFAiR's vision of making agrifood research and innovation more effective, responsive, and equitable, contributing to Sustainable Development outcomes through the development of policies and strategies.
  
• Leads and manages GFAiR's partnership and resource mobilization efforts.
  
• Manages GFAiR programmes and projects (including Collective Actions) and leads multidisciplinary teams.
  
• Develops corporate documents (PPPs, plans, concept notes, project proposals, annual reports, minutes), produces articles and other publications.
  
• Develops and implements methodologies, tools and systems that enable planning, delivery and monitoring of GFAiR programmes of works (KLH, MEL system, project management system, use of AI, website and other social media etc.).
  
• Coordinates content development with GFAiR's knowledge management (Knowledge and Learning Hub) and oversees communication activities as needed.
  
• Actively participates in international conferences and field workshops.
  
• Other related duties as requested.
  
  
  

  Requirements

  
  

  • Bachelor's Degree is supplemented by master's degree in agriculture, economics, social sciences, development studies, international relations, regional studies or related fields.
    
  • Relevant professional experience (minimum 10 years is desirable) in the field of agrifood systems transformation, international research management and / or facilitation of partnerships, including several years in countries of the Global South.
    
  • Managerial expertise demonstrated through successful development, planning, execution and monitoring of major programmes, projects and events.
    
  • Proven history in designing and implementing strategies, polices, and systems in complex, geographically dispersed and multicultural organizations.
    
  • Strong understanding of issues related to agrifood systems transformation, with a network in agricultural research and development.
    
  • Leadership skills evident in inspiring and developing diverse teams, emphasizing diversity, knowledge sharing, and staff development.
    
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective relationships with colleagues and external partners, including research, development, private sector, and funding partners.
    
  • Exceptional facilitation, communication, and people skills, including the ability to effectively interact across all levels and build consensus in a multicultural disciplinary environment.
    
  • Enterprising spirit to identify and pursue new opportunities.
    
  • Understanding and interest in leveraging information and AI for programme efficiency in a geographically distributed organization.
    
  • Excellent drafting skills and proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of other languages highly desirable.
    
    

    Benefits

    
    Terms of employment
    This is a nationally recruited position, based in Leuven (Belgium) open only to internal candidates, namely: regular staff members, complementary staff members and individuals who are currently employed or have completed a contract with Bioversity in the last 6 months. All benefits are denominated and paid in EURO. The salary is level 11, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest.  The salary range starts from Euro 69,050 per annum and is and exempt from Belgian income tax. The remuneration package includes a competitive salary, leave provisions, medical and life insurance, and non-contributory retirement plan.  The contract will be for a period of one year, subject to a probationary period of 6 months, and is renewable based on performance and availability of funds. 
    
    

    Please note that eligible applicants must have the legal status to live and work in Belgium. Citizens of EU countries and citizens of non-EU countries are individually responsible for compliance with requirements and formalities established by the national immigration law of Belgium, where they stay and carry out their working activity.
    

     
    

    Applications
    

    Please apply online through the website (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers) no later than 4th March 2025, attaching a curriculum vitae and motivation letter, both in English. The cover letter should include the reference number of the position - RFP500153.
    

     
    

    Closing date for applications: 4th