Job Description
(RFP500611)
Job Trainee, Cacao of Excellence
(Temporary Assignment, 6 months- Rome, Italy)
The Organization
Cacao of Excellence, led by the CGIAR’s Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), is a neutral global platform that brings together the public and private sector to discover, promote, and reward cacao producers of excellence from all origins, focusing on superior cacao quality and flavour diversity. Since 2009, the platform has held the prestigious global Cacao of Excellence Awards, celebrating and rewarding the work of cacao producers and showcasing the diversity of exceptional flavours worldwide. By leading cacao research, discovering exceptional producers and training the next generation of value chain actors, Cacao of Excellence’s is supporting the expansion of superior quality cacao, ensuring more producers thrive as empowered entrepreneurs.
The CGIAR 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 in a climate crisis. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
www.cacaoofexcellence.org/ www.alliancebioversityciat.org/ http://www.cgiar.org/
About the position
Based in Rome, Italy, and under the supervision of the Cacao of Excellence, Manager of the Program, the incumbent will provide support with
communications and partnership.
Responsibilities
Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
Provide administrative and
coordination support for partnership development and stakeholder engagement
activities.Assist with research and analysis on
public- and private-sector partners, donors, and value chain development initiatives,
including policies, programmes, funding priorities, and budget allocations.Support the development and
implementation of tailored partnership engagement strategies, stakeholder
mapping, and event plans.Provide assistance with communications
and follow-up actions with partners, collaborators, trainees, and other
stakeholders, maintaining accurate records and supporting relationship
management.Assist in the planning, logistics, and
delivery of events, workshops, and partner meetings, promoting cacao producers,
Cacao of Excellence trainees, and strategic collaborations.
Communications
& Outreach
Research, draft, and edit engaging
online content, including web stories, opinion editorials, articles, and
infographics.Contribute to the design and
implementation of creative communication and social media campaigns supporting
major Cacao of Excellence projects, partnerships, and events.Draft, edit, proofread, and update
content for the Cacao of Excellence website and other communication channels,
ensuring consistency and high editorial standards.Support the maintenance and
organization of communication assets, including mailing lists, email
subscribers, photographs, videos, and other digital resources.Contribute
to Development of communication materials that highlight programme achievements,
partner collaborations, and project impacts.
Programme Support
Provide communication and project
support to the Innovation, Genetic Diversity, and Capacity Building pillars,
including assisting in the development of project-specific communication
materials.Participate in national and
international events, providing communications, coordination, and logistical
support as required.Provide additional programme,
partnership, communications, and administrative support as required to
contribute to the objectives of the Cacao of Excellence Programme.
Requirements
Essential Requirements
Secondary school education.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
Suite packages.Working knowledge of the English
language, both written and spoken.Good interpersonal, communication and
teamwork skills, courtesy and tact, and the ability to establish and maintain
effective working relationships with people of different cultural and national
backgrounds.Good skills in personal organization
and priority setting.Good client orientation and service
approach.Good time management skills and
attention to details.
Desirable Requirements
Previous
internships.Work
experience in an international environment.
Benefits
Terms of employment
This is a job traineeship based in Rome, Italy, open 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 12 months. The monthly salary is Euro 1,217. The contract is initially for a period of six (6) months. The contract may be extendable based on performance and availability of funds.
The Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. Webelieve 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.
Please note that eligible applicants must have the legal status to live and work in Italy:
·Be Italian nationals holding a valid passport or identity card.
·Or be EU citizens holding a valid passport or identity card and confirmation of registration from the Registrar’s Office (Anagrafe).
·Or Non – EU citizens holding a valid Italian work permit (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro subordinato).
Applications
Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers for full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications must include the reference number RFP500611. Cover letter and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate's last name and first name for ease of sorting. The Alliance collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Closing date for applications: 4 October 2026