JPO - Project Officer, Sustainable Cocoa Initiative

The Organization

The 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.

Background

The Alliance is seeking a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) to support the design and

implementation of the “The Italian Vision for Sustainable Cocoa Initiative” led by the Italian

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) alongside other strategic

initiatives.

The initiative aims to position cocoa as a driver of climate resilience, economic opportunity, and

social equity across key producing countries. It is implemented in partnership with Save the

Children Italy and Ferrero, and aligns with European national initiatives for sustainable cocoa

organization (ISCOs), as well as global platforms such as the Cocoa and Forests Initiative and the

EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative (TEI).

The JPO will be embedded within the Ghana Country Office and will primarily support technical

project design and implementation. The JPO will work closely with project partners and national,

regional cocoa institutions, civil society and private sector partners. The position will support both

inception phases of initiatives and the operationalization of early interventions on the ground.

The position is particularly suited to a motivated professional with a strong agronomic or

agricultural systems background who seeks to grow within international agricultural research for

development and applied project implementation. The position also requires travel within the

country, region and internationally.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the designated supervisors, the JPO will contribute to the delivery of

partnership and coordination activities linked to sustainable cocoa value chains. The JPO will

perform the following duties:

Project Design, Coordination and Implementation Support

• Contribute to the development and planning of project activities ensuring they are well-

structured and aligned with overall goals.

• Provide operational support to effective execution of partnership-related project activities,

ensuring timely progress and communication between teams.

• Support implementation of frameworks to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of

partnerships commitments, implementation milestones, and project activities.

• Oversee field research and analyse data to support the development of sustainable value

chains, focusing on sustainable intensification through improving soil fertility, managing

pests and diseases, increasing resilience to shocks and biodiversity.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the engagement with local farmers, cooperatives, government agencies, and

private sector partners to ensure the project.

• Contribute technical inputs to coordination meetings, workshops, and consultations

relevant to project execution.

Knowledge Management and Reporting

• Maintain stakeholder databases and partnership tracking tools to ensure timely, inclusive

communication and sharing of information.

• Prepare comprehensive reports, partnership briefs, and documentation of lessons learned.

Requirements (Qualifications and Experience)

• Advanced university degree in International Development, Agricultural Sciences,

Economics, Environmental Science, Sustainable Development, or a related field.

• Experience in international development cooperation, partnerships, value chain

development, or sustainability-related programmes.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work in multicultural

environments.

• Fluency in English and Italian is required; knowledge of French is an asset.

• Desirable: Statistical data analysis abilities will be helpful.; Familiarity with project cycle

management and donor-funded programmes.; Strong analytical, synthesis, and writing

skills.; Demonstrated interest in sustainability, agricultural value chains, and inclusive

development is considered an asset.

• Desirable: Experience working with or coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships

involving public institutions, NGOs, research organizations, and/or the private sector,

particularly in West Africa and/or in agriculture, cocoa, or agri-food systems, is highly

desirable.

Expected Outputs

Year 1:

• Technical inputs to project design, baseline studies, and feasibility assessments.

• Support the launch and early implementation of priority field interventions.

• Contribution to monitoring frameworks and technical progress reporting.

• Inputs to technical documentation and communication materials.

Year 2:

• Technical coordination of pilot projects.

• Analytical reporting on field performance and results.

• Contribution to refinement of interventions based on lessons learned.

• Documentation of best practices and technical knowledge products.

Expected Benefits for Incumbent

The JPO will develop his/her skills in partnership building and program design and will be

integrated in the work of an international research organization. As part of the JPO programme,

the incumbent will benefit from structured guidance provided by the supervisors, and exposure to

scientists specialized in diverse aspects of sustainable cacao management. The role is dynamic and

the JPO will be able to take full advantage of learning opportunities offered by the organization as

well as external learning and training within the area of responsibility, including but not limited to:

• Professional Development: Gain hands-on experience in value chain development and

sustainable agriculture within an international research organization.

• Networking Opportunities: Build connections with a wide range of stakeholders, including

local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners.

• Skill Enhancement: Enhance technical, analytical, and project management skills through

diverse and challenging assignments.

• Career Growth: Opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects, supporting professional

growth and career advancement in the field of sustainable development.