Project Coordinator for CGIAR Impact Ventures

Overview

CGIAR Impact Ventures (CGIV) is an initiative endorsed by the CGIAR System Council to generate financial returns by commercializing CGIAR's scientific innovations responsibly. Revenues are reinvested in CGIAR's research mission. The program is now entering its formal design phase, led by the Donor Relations & Business Development (DRBD) function with support from an external design consultancy. The Project Coordinator role supports the CGIV Lead with project administration, secretariat, analytical contributions, and stakeholder coordination within a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor project timelines, including major milestones and deliverables for CGIV.
• Track progress against workplans, identify potential risks, delays, and ensure timely action follow-up.
• Maintain and update risk registers, stakeholder engagement trackers, and other project management tools.
• Coordinate internal CGIAR consultations, reviews, and external stakeholder engagements to ensure alignment and timely follow-up.
• Conduct research and structured analysis supporting project activities and decision-making, including synthesizing and quality assuring outputs from the design consultancy.
• Prepare background materials, summaries, presentations, and other documentation for diverse stakeholders.
• Draft and edit reports, briefing materials, governance submissions, presentations, and communications supporting CGIV leadership and governance processes.
• Maintain records of governance decisions, submissions, and action items with accuracy and compliance.
• Provide secretariat and administrative support for CGIV meetings involving CGIAR governance bodies and other stakeholders, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and action tracking.
• Facilitate stakeholder coordination and effective information sharing, maintaining project management systems, trackers, and documents with version control and confidentiality compliance.
• Manage calendar scheduling, logistics, and related administrative support for the CGIV Lead and associated activities.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree (Master's or equivalent) in international development, public policy, business, agricultural economics, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5-6 years professional experience encompassing project management, stakeholder engagement, and operational coordination.
• Proven organizational skills with ability to manage calendars, documentation, deadlines, and stakeholder follow-up reliably.
• Expertise in project management, including workplan maintenance, milestone tracking, and multi-contributor coordination.
• Excellent written communication capabilities in English to produce high-quality executive documents and presentations.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Teams/SharePoint.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in Spanish or French is advantageous.
• Strong attention to detail ensuring accuracy and consistency in materials.
• Comfortable working in agile and iterative project environments.
• Beneficial experience includes working with international organizations, management consultancies, CGIAR or related agricultural research systems, commercialization or intellectual property contexts, governance and executive support, and use of AI tools.

Terms and Key Details

• Contract consultancy position starting by 1 September 2026 through 31 December 2026, with possibility of renewal based on performance and budget.
• The consultancy is remote-based and reports directly to the CGIV Lead.
• Responsibilities span four primary workstreams: project management support, analytical and design contributions, governance and reporting, and coordination/secretariat services.

Deliverables

• Monthly recurring outputs: meeting materials (agendas, decision logs), updated project roadmaps and trackers, monthly activity reports.
• Governance-cycle triggered deliverables: preparation of read-ahead materials and decision packages for leadership and governance bodies.
• Milestone and request-triggered outputs: analytical research notes and synthesis, pilot documentation such as concept notes, workplans, dashboards, and reporting as pilots progress.

Key Performance Indicators

• Deliverable quality meets executive standards on initial submissions.
• Timely submission of milestones and regular outputs.
• Proactive identification of risks, issues, and analytical challenges.
• Positive stakeholder feedback from internal and external partners.
• Handling of confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Adherence to budget and effort tracking without unauthorized scope changes.

Inclusivity and Application

CGIAR promotes an inclusive work environment valuing diversity in culture, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, and more. Only candidates who submit applications in English by the deadline will be considered. Application materials should exclude marital status, age, or photographs.