Bioversity International is the world’s largest organization undertaking research on agricultural
biodiversity and establishing the role that it can play in contributing to solutions for global issues
related to food security, poverty, climate change, and environmental degradation. Bioversity
undertakes, encourages and supports research and other activities aimed at improving the wellbeing
of present and future generations of people, by enhancing the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity both ex situ and in situ, with special emphasis on the needs of developing countries. The organization is active in over 100 countries worldwide, and has more than 350 staff working from some 18 country offices. It is one of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Bioversity International is now seeking a:

Coordinator, Institutional Learning and Change Initiative

The Institutional Learning and Change (ILAC) Initiative is a multi-year CGIAR inter-centre initiative that aims to strengthen the contributions of agricultural research to sustainable poverty reduction by increasing knowledge about planning and evaluation approaches and methods appropriate for collaborative research for development. It also supports strategic evaluations that increase understanding of the contributions of agricultural research to poverty alleviation, develops evaluation capacities and aims to influence planning and evaluation policies.

With overall guidance from the Director General of Bioversity International and strategic oversight of a steering committee, the Coordinator will:

• Provide strategic and operational management of ILAC activities including setting strategic
direction, conducting research and promoting integration in the CGIAR reform process;
• Deliver scientific, policy and capacity-related outputs;
• Lead and supervise Project staff, Honorary Fellows and consultants;
• Develop grant proposals to obtain funding and other resources;
• Establish and maintain excellent relations with partners, donors and other key stakeholders within
and outside of the CGIAR;
• Maintain networks of experts and develop new opportunities for studentships, fellowships,
Associate Experts and others as needed;
• Contribute to other related Organizational activities as and when required.

Qualifications and Competencies:
The ideal candidate for this position would combine high -level technical expertise in evaluation needed to develop and apply new evaluation approaches, with strategic vision and management skills needed to help support the development of new planning and evaluation procedures in the CGIAR.

Essential qualifications and competencies:
• PhD in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of other academic qualifications and
experience
• At least 8 years of professional experience, including in developing countries, with progressively
increasing responsibilities, preferably within an international working environment.
• Experience in managing international and multi-partner research for development programmes
including managing multiple activities and output delivery, developing and maintaining effective
partnerships, budget management, supervision of staff and contractors, communications,
representation, fund raising, and donor relations.
• Experience in managing and/or conducting programme evaluations, in particular evaluations
related to complex partnerships for development and/or poverty alleviation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of evaluation theory and practice, including theories of change, impact
evaluation, learning and use oriented evaluation, and mixed methodologies using quantitative and
qualitative data.
• Well developed strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent English language skills, both written and verbal with the capacity to synthesize complex
issues, make effective presentations, write reports, briefs and journal articles, and manage group
interactions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to lead teams and manage relationships with peers,
outside experts and networks.

Desirable qualifications and competencies:
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of impact evaluation in the wider world of development.
• Experience with international agricultural research for development programmes.
• Experience with developing an evaluation function in international non-profit organizations.
• Knowledge of other languages, particularly Spanish or French would be an asset.

Terms and conditions: This is an internationally recruited, position for which Bioversity International
offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement plan, medical insurance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars. The initial contract period will be for two years, renewable depending upon funding availability. The contract is subject to a probationary period of twelve months.

Applications: Please apply online through the following link: Bioversity Employment Opportunities
Webpage by clicking the “Apply” button and completing the online application and attaching the required information. Alternatively, via mail including a letter of application, curriculum vitae in English (that includes date of birth, gender and nationality) and the names and full contact details of at least three referees (telephone, fax and e-mail address) to: Human Resources Office, Bioversity International, Via de Tre Denari, 472/a, 00057 Maccarese, Rome, Italy; or via Fax to (39) 06 6118 341 no later than 28 February 2010. Please quote the source of advertisement.

Bioversity is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
All received applications will be acknowledged, but only short listed applicants will be further contacted.

With effect from 1 December 2006, IPGRI and INIBAP operate under the name "Bioversity
International", Bioversity for short. This new name echoes our new strategy, which focuses on improving
people’s lives through biodiversity research.