Team Leader

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. 

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

About the position 

The Field Operations Team Leader will oversee and manage agricultural field operations for crops such as beans, rice, forages, cassava, and sugarcane. This role will play a key part in ensuring efficient and effective operations by integrating advanced technologies to enhance sustainability. Also, the Team Leader will collaborate with Breeding teams to develop and implement sustainable crop management practices to mitigate climate change impacts and utilize advanced AI tools to maximize genetic gains and enhance crop resilience.  

The position will be based in the operations center of the Americas, located in the Campus of Palmira, Colombia. 

Responsibilities: 

Field Management: 

• Oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of field operations for beans, rice, forages, cassava, and sugarcane. 
  
• Implement best practices in crop management, including precision agriculture and mechanization. 
  
• Coordinate the use of agricultural machinery from soil preparation to harvesting. 
  
• Develop and disseminate sustainable crop management practices to mitigate climate change impacts. 
  
• Efficiently manage the productive fields of the campus. 
  
• Design and application of irrigation systems, monitoring of water requirements, and adjustment of irrigation practices based on climatic conditions and crop status. 
  

Operational Leadership: 

• Lead and manage field teams, ensuring effective communication and teamwork with the Crops for Nutrition and Health lever. 
  
• Develop and implement training programs for field staff on new technologies, techniques, and methodologies. 
  
• Create strategies in collaboration with research teams to increase efficiency and improve service delivery in field operations. 
  
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. 
  

Production Optimization: 

• Develop and implement strategies to increase crop yields and quality. 
  
• Manage the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. 
  
• Monitor and report on crop performance, making data-driven decisions to optimize service delivery. 
  

Budget and Resource Management 

• Plan, execute, and control the budget for the field operations area, ensuring the efficient use of financial resources. 
  
• Monitor and adjust the budget as necessary to meet operational requirements and financial goals. 
  
• Prepare regular financial reports on budget execution, highlighting deviations and proposing corrective actions when necessary. 
  

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Collaborate with local partners, government agencies, and other CGIAR research institutions to enhance field operations. 
  
• Participate in relevant agricultural forums and conferences to stay updated on industry trends and innovations. 
  
• Provide consultancy and technical support to external partners and stakeholders as needed. 
  

Qualifications and requirements 

• Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agroindustrial Engineering, or related fields. Preferably with a specialization in agricultural innovation, sustainable resource management, or technology applied to agriculture. 
  
• Minimum 10 years of experience in agricultural operations, preferably in research contexts or international projects. 
  
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in the field and implementing new technologies in agriculture. 
  
• Experience in budget management, with skills in planning, executing, and controlling financial resources in agricultural operations. 
  
• Strong knowledge of crop management, precision agriculture, and mechanization. 
  
• Knowledge in designing and implementing innovative projects to improve productivity and sustainability in the field. 
  
• Ability to lead agricultural research projects, analyze data, and generate technical reports. 
  
• Proficiency in operational and financial budget management. 
  
• Advanced level of English, written and spoken, to interact with international teams, present reports, and coordinate global activities. 
  

Skills and competences 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
  
• Leadership in managing fieldwork teams, with demonstrated skills in motivation, coordination, and conflict resolution. 
  
• Ability to work in a high-performance environment, managing multiple projects efficiently. 
  
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. 
  
• Flexibility and adaptation to change. 
  
• Innovation to identify, evaluate, and apply new technologies and methodologies in agricultural operations. 
  
• Strong results orientation, with a focus on continuous improvement and sustainability. 
  

Terms of employment 

This is a nationally recruited position placed at a BG09, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest.  

This is a Colombian national search and will be managed through a fixed-term contract of a one (1) year period, subject to a probation period according to the local legislation, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salaries and excellent benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer, and strive for gender, diversity, and inclusion in our staff, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic. 

Applications  

Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the qualifications, competencies, and skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. All correspondence should be addressed to the Human Resources Office, at () and should clearly indicate “Application: Team Leader – Field Operations’’. 

Closing date for applications: November 20th, 2024 

We invite you to learn more about us at:  

Careers | Alliance Bioversity International - CIAT (alliancebioversityciat.org)