Research Specialist – CGIAR Hub for Sustainable Finance (ImpactSF)

The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and 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.

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 food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

Background on ImpactSF

The CGIAR Hub for Sustainable Finance (ImpactSF) is a key technical partner for sustainable finance actors, integrating science-based impact indicators in all areas of the investment lifecycle. This includes investment design, pipeline development, investment screening, due diligence, implementation, post-investment monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV). Building off CGIAR evidence, ImpactSF offers an array of data-driven solutions empowering financial institutions and investors to de-risk investments by quantifying climate and environmental risks and impacts. Our goal is clear: drive investments toward climate-smart and nature-positive Food, Land, and Water systems.

Background on the project

The Research (Impact) Specialist will play a critical role in advancing the objectives of ImpactSF, driving sustainable investments, and ensuring the integration of gender and social inclusion in climate-smart financing solutions in three key projects. The project: “Introduction of Innovative Climate Risk Financing Solutions in Pakistan,–” focuses on enhancing climate awareness among financial institutions and developing innovative financing solutions for the MSME ecosystem in agriculture, particularly within the mango and potato value chains. The Research (Impact) Specialist will lead the development of risk and impact assessment tools, advise on the design of innovative loan bundle products, and build the capacity of local financial institutions and intermediaries.

The Climate Smart Food Systems Fund is the first science-based impact investing initiative aimed at transforming food systems. It provides long-term debt financing to companies across the agricultural value chain. Investments undergo comprehensive climate, environmental, and ecological risk and impact assessments, leveraging CGIAR expertise to align with the fund’s Impact and Monitoring Framework. The Research (Impact) Specialist will support impact thesis development, integrate gender considerations into climate-smart agriculture priorities, develop Gender and Social Inclusion KPIs, and oversee data collection and reporting on gender impacts of investments. The Climate Analytics to De-Risk Adaptation Investment in Rwanda project focuses on developing frameworks to de-risk and enhance adaptation investments. The Research (Impact) Specialist will lead the creation of methodologies and tools to measure climate risks and impacts, catering to the needs of investors, banks, and agri-food businesses.

About the position

Join the CGIAR Hub for Sustainable Finance Unit as Research (Impact) Specialist and be at the forefront of driving sustainable finance solutions for climate-smart and nature-positive investments. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping projects across global agriculture value chains, working on high-impact initiatives. If you’re passionate about climate resilience, gender inclusion, and innovative financing, this is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible difference in transforming food, land, and water systems worldwide. This position may require regular travel within Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa and requires flexibility in working hours to accommodate collaboration with international partners.

Key duties & Responsibilities

•  Play a key role in the design, planning and organizing of work plans, supporting the implementation of projects.
• Conduct research (desk reviews, expert consultations, surveys, workshops) to support project context analysis and informing risks and design of innovative financing solutions.
• Support the development of a gender assessment methodology for integration across for ImpactSF projects.
• Design tools for pre-and post-investment data collection and analysis at stages of the investment cycle.
• Support due-diligence assessment and contribute to science-based recommendations for investments.
• Support the validation process for impact theses across investments
• Contribute to developing frameworks for assessing context-specific climate and gender risks in investments in agri-food businesses.
• Contribute to the development and execution of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems for different investments.
• Support partner engagements to ensure successful implementation and alignment with project objectives.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for each project, ensuring accurate and timely submission of reports to stakeholders.
• Support ImpactSF team’s activities in Asia and globally by expanding pipelines, conducting impact and risk assessments for due diligence and post-investment phases.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Development Management, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Economics.
• Proven track record of successfully designing and implementing risk and impact assessment tools methodologies and frameworks.
• Proficiency in impact measurement and management tools.
• Knowledge of climate risks, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable agricultural practices and food security issues.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in impact investment and technical assistance in the agrifood sector.
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender lens investing and integration of gender in projects and investments.
• Excellent communication skills in English both written and spoken, including scientific communication and report writing.
• Excellent skills in teamwork, negotiation, communication, and diplomacy, with the ability to interact courteously and effectively with people at all levels in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment, including external stakeholders.
• Highly motivated and results driven taking responsibility and full ownership of projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse and multicultural environment.

Terms of employment

This is an internationally recruited position and will be based in Rome, Italy. 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 44,248 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 Bioversity-CIAT 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.org/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number RFP5000162 – Research (Impact) Specialist 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: Wednesday, 12^th March 2025

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

                                http://alliancebioversityciat.org

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements