Partnership Excellence Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, is a non-profit, international organization dedicated to addressing global agricultural challenges. Established to enhance the productivity and sustainability of maize and wheat production systems, CIMMYT operates primarily in the Global South. The organization focuses on improving the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers through applied agricultural science and strong partnerships. With a mission to foster improved agricultural practices, CIMMYT has a significant presence in various countries, working collaboratively with local and international stakeholders to promote security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and sustainable farming practices. The organization is committed to creating a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries, impacting millions of farmers worldwide. For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

Job Overview:
The Partnership Excellence Specialist will play a crucial role in coordinating the Transformation Office's efforts to establish and operationalize a systematic partnership management framework at CIMMYT. This position aims to position CIMMYT as a partner of choice by standardizing processes, developing institutional capabilities, and reducing fragmentation in partnership management. The specialist will be responsible for designing and implementing standardized processes across the partnership lifecycle, which includes identification, negotiation, management, and renewal or exit of partnerships. This role will also involve conducting business process reviews to identify optimization opportunities and developing a centralized partnership tracking system to monitor agreements, deliverables, performance metrics, and project progress. The specialist will facilitate periodic partnership reviews to identify growth opportunities and address performance gaps, ensuring that CIMMYT enhances its resources and impact through effective partnerships.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Partnership Excellence Specialist include:

• Partnership Lifecycle Management: Design and implement standardized processes across the full partnership lifecycle, including identification, negotiation, management, and renewal/exit. Conduct business process reviews to identify optimization opportunities and support the development of a centralized partnership tracking system. Develop evaluation frameworks to assess partner performance and strategic alignment, and facilitate periodic partnership reviews.
• Institutional Capability Development: Support the development of common tools, procedures, templates, and systems to improve efficiency and consistency for staff managing partnerships. Design and deliver targeted capacity-building programs for CIMMYT Chapters on partnership management practices.
• Risk Management and Compliance: Embed oversight mechanisms within partnership processes to ensure institutional risk mitigation and integrate compliance requirements into partnership evaluation criteria.
• Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement: Create a repository and dashboard of CIMMYT MoUs, document successful partnership models, and capture lessons learned to inform process refinements.
• Alumni Network Development: Further develop CIMMYT's Alumni Network, creating an engagement strategy and collaborating with Communications teams to promote network activities.
• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, represent CIMMYT in relevant forums, and support the development of funding proposals and partnership agreements.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Partnership Excellence Specialist position should possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant area of study, with a Master's level preferred. A minimum of 5 years of experience supporting partnership management systems in complex organizations is required, with a preference for experience in international or research institutions. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in strategic partnership management, institutional collaboration, program/portfolio management, or organizational transformation. Proven experience working with diverse partner types, including donors, research institutions, government entities, private sector, and multilateral organizations, is essential. Additionally, experience in international and multicultural environments, particularly in Global South contexts, is highly valued. Familiarity with information management systems for tracking partnerships and strong skills in data analysis and reporting tools are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as international relations, business administration, agricultural sciences, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of complex partnership dynamics and management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in supporting partnership management systems within complex organizations. Candidates should have a background in strategic partnership management, institutional collaboration, program or portfolio management, or organizational transformation. Experience in international or research institutions is preferred, along with a proven track record of designing and implementing institutional frameworks and processes in complex, international settings.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within CIMMYT and for international partnerships. Knowledge of Spanish is highly desirable, given the organization's focus on the Global South and its operations in Spanish-speaking countries. Additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly those relevant to CIMMYT's partner regions.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as an initial fixed-term contract for three years, with a one-year probationary period. Continued employment is subject to performance and the availability of funds. CIMMYT offers an internationally competitive salary and benefits package, including a housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children's education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contributions to a retirement plan, and generous relocation assistance. Applications must include a CV with contact details of three work-related references and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer, promoting a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.