Senior Finance and Investment Associate at Bioversity International

• The Senior Research associate in finance and Investments will play a pivotal role in integrating research activities with the delivery of support in financial tools for agriculture risk management, through bundled business models, in support of turning policy priorities into bankable and profitable solutions for public and private sector, whilst contributing to net zero and climate resilient development for vulnerable communities. The candidate will also ensure effective delivery of projects within the Climate Action lever of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, supporting the achievement of goals in the Finance and Investments research Area.

Key duties & responsibilities

Objectives

• Contribute to the Implementation and delivery research projects and initiatives, aligning with organizational goals and ensuring adherence to schedules and resource allocations.
• Manage design related field work, data collection, and reporting mechanisms to bolster research project execution, drawing upon an extensive background in finance and investment processes.
• Engage proactively with both internal research teams and external partners, guiding data collection efforts and ensuring research requisites are fulfilled efficiently, to support product delivery for end users (SMEs, MFIs, and Smallholder farmers).

Collaboration and Advisory

• Provide expert advice on operational capacities, refining processes, and protocols to mitigate potential project execution challenges.
• Establish and maintain robust coordination with external entities for the effective gathering of on-site data, aligning with overarching research objectives.
• Cultivate a cooperative atmosphere among stakeholders, leveraging supervisory skills to anticipate and rectify issues impacting research progress.

Legacy Responsibilities and Innovations

• Employ an analytical approach to refine research methodologies, informed by experience in process-oriented roles within the finance and investment sectors.
• Integrate and enhance investment strategies for climate-smart agriculture, including detailed analysis and development of investment packages focused on sustainable practices.
• Conduct comprehensive mapping of both national and international financial institutions, identifying potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
• Develop business models and investment packages for financial products and offerings, emphasizing climate adaptation and mitigation solutions with additional socio-economic benefits.
• Lead advanced analytical initiatives, assessing business models, cost-benefit analyses, and investment returns, incorporating sensitivity analyses to inform strategic decisions.
• Innovate and develop analytical tools to support stakeholder decision-making, improving program development and implementation across government and non-governmental sectors.
• Develop training manuals for financial products for climate risk management.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in economics, finance, accounting, or related field
• A professional background in Finance, Investments, or a closely related field, with a preference for candidates holding a master’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience in managing process-driven work, supervisory roles that required leading research teams towards successful outcomes an advantage.
• Proficiency in English at an intermediate level, with additional language skills considered beneficial.