Assistant II (Part-time 50% - Rome, Italy)

The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) deliver 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.

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 of Bioversity International and 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.

The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

https://alliancebioversityciat.org/             www.cgiar.org

About the position

Based in Rome, Italy, and under the supervision of the Associate Officer, the Administrative Assistant will be responsible for providing efficient and effective administrative, logistical, and operational support to several research programs (this is a 50% part-time assignment).

Responsibilities

The Administrative Assistant will act as focal point for processing requests made by research staff, in compliance with institutional policies and procedures to contribute to the efficient delivery of projects.

More specifically, the Assistant will:

• Support research staff in the hub in raising requests for the acquisition of goods and services and following up with the person responsible for implementation, liaising with accounting staff about payments.
• Support and guide colleagues in the process and required documentation for the hiring of research staff including interns, visiting research fellows, and national and international consultants.
• Assist with payment authorizations, travel arrangements (tickets and payment advances), and travel expenses claims.
• Make logistical arrangements for meetings, seminars and conferences, and other events (including invitations, air tickets, hotels, etc.) and relevant follow-up.
• Prepare non-technical minutes of meetings as required by research staff.
• Support with the development of research contracts (letters of agreement) and invoicing for small grants, as required.
• Carry out other administrative duties as required.

Essential Requirements

• Secondary school education supplemented by office training or related courses
• Degree in business administration, industrial engineering, logistics, accounting, political sciences, international relations or related discipline or relevant field is desirable
• Previous relevant work experience, preferably in an international organization
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook)
• Advanced command of the English language, both written and spoken
• Intermediate command of French and Spanish languages, both written and spoken, is an asset.
• Sound knowledge of standard office procedures
• Strong client orientation and service approach
• Strong interpersonal,  communications,  and  teamwork  skills;  courtesy,  tact,  and  the  ability  to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people from different cultural and national backgrounds
• Well-developed skills in personal organization, priority setting, problem-solving, and accuracy

Terms of employment

This is a locally recruited, part-time (50%) position based in Rome, Italy at the Alliance Headquarters. All benefits are denominated and paid in Euro. The salary is level 5, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest. The salary range starts from Euro 39,370 per annum, to be pro-rated at part-time 50%. The Alliance offers an attractive remuneration package that includes a competitive salary, leave provisions, medical and life insurance, and non-contributory retirement plan. The contract will be for a period of 2 years, 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 Italy at the time of application:

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

Please apply online through the website (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers), including reference number RFP500266 in the Cover Letter (CL) no later than 11 May 2025, attaching a curriculum vitae, cover letter, both in English, and contact information (e.g. names, email address) of at least three references.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for applications: 11 May 2025

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org

Please visit our careers page at:

https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers