CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.

For more information, visit: cimmyt.org

CIMMYT is looking for an outstanding, self-motivated, and result-oriented professional for the position of Partnership Excellence Specialist.

Role Purpose

Coordinate the Transformation Office’s efforts to establish and operationalize a systematic partnership management framework that positions CIMMYT as a partner of choice. This role will standardize processes, develop institutional capabilities, and reduce fragmentation to enable more strategic, efficient, and impactful partnerships across CIMMYT.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Lifecycle Management

  • Design and implement standardized processes across the full partnership lifecycle: identification/selection, negotiation, management, and renewal/exit.  Conduct business process reviews across partner categories to identify optimization opportunities.
  • Support the development of a centralized partnership tracking system covering agreements, deliverables, performance metrics, and project progress.
  • Develop and implement evaluation frameworks to assess partner performance and strategic alignment.
  • Facilitate periodic partnership reviews to identify growth opportunities and address performance gaps.
  • Evaluate, develop analysis, and propose initiatives to enhance the resources and impact generated by CIMMYT through partnership, strengthening CIMMYT’s position as a partner of choice for projects led by others.

Institutional Capability Development

  • Support the development of common tools, procedures, templates, and systems that improve efficiency and consistency for staff managing partnerships.
  • Design and deliver targeted capacity-building programs for CIMMYT Chapters and their teams on partnership management practices.

Risk Management and Compliance

  • Embed consistent oversight mechanisms within partnership processes to ensure institutional risk mitigation.
  • Integrate compliance requirements and value-for-money assessments into partnership evaluation criteria.
  • Establish and support the implementation of quality assurance protocols for partnership agreements and deliverables.

Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement

  • Create a repository and dashboard of CIMMYT MoU’s focusing on partnership’s beyond specific projects, and map CIMMYT’s partners of choice based on geography, topic area, capacity, volume of activities, and partner performance. 
  • Document and disseminate case studies demonstrating successful partnership models at CIMMYT.
  • Capture lessons learned from partnership experiences to inform process refinements.
  • Monitor partnership outcomes and use data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Alumni Network Development

  • Further develop CIMMYT's Alumni Network connecting former employees, students, and trainees, developing an annual workplan with a steady cadance of outreach opportunities.
  • Develop engagement strategy including networking events, digital platforms, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.
  • Collaborate with Communications teams to promote network activities and align with organizational objectives.
  • Track and leverage alumni expertise to support resource mobilizaiton, ongoing projects, and institutional priorities.
  • Develop a plan to transition responsibility for management and oversight of the Alumni Network to the place where it best fits for long term sustainaiblity and benefits to CIMMYT by mid 2026, agree on a timeline and provide support through the transition.

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to expand CIMMYT's impact.
  • Represent CIMMYT in relevant forums to promote organizational vision and identify partnership opportunities.
  • Support development of funding proposals and partnership agreements.
  • Coordinate with Chapter leadership to ensure partnership activities align with strategic priorities.
  • Bachelors degree in a relevant area of study required, masters level preferred.
  • Minimum 5 years supporting partnership management systems in complex organizations; experience in international or research institutions preferred.
  • Experience in strategic partnership management, institutional collaboration, program/portfolio management, or organizational transformation.
  • Demonstrated experience designing and implementing institutional frameworks, processes, or systems in complex, international organizations.
  • Proven experience working with diverse partner types, including donors, research institutions, government entities, private sector, and multilateral organizations.
  • Experience working in international and multicultural environments, preferably in Global South contexts.
  • Experience with information management systems for tracking partnerships, projects, or portfolios (e.g. CRM systems, databases, dashboards).
  • Strong skills in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g. advanced Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent).
  • Proficiency with collaboration and document management platforms (e.g. SharePoint, Teams, Google Workspace).
  • Project management and change management certifications preferred.

Desirable/Added advantage:

  • Background in grants management, donor compliance, or portfolio performance management, including exposure to donor-funded project environments.
  • Experience designing or managing institutional dashboards, performance frameworks, or management reporting systems.
  • Experience developing or coordinating alumni, professional, or stakeholder networks at institutional or global level.
  • Exposure to change management, organizational development, or internal consulting roles.

The position is for an initial fixed term for three (3) years, with one year of probatory period, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

Applications must include a CV with contact details (telephone and email address) of 3 work-related references along with the confirmation that Recruitment can contact them) and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.