Senior Research Associate-Agribusiness and investment (INTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT)

The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International 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.

The Alliance works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

Background

The CGIAR Food Systems Accelerator (CFSA) program is a science -driven accelerator designed within The CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa, to support agribusinesses scale climate -smart innovations that address pressing challenges in East and Southern Africa food systems. By combining investment readiness with tailored science-based technical assistance, CFSA provides agribusinesses companies with the necessary tools and knowledge to become more commercially viable and sustainable. This approach promotes sustainable farming practices that can enhance food production while mitigating the impact of climate change. The program prioritizes agribusinesses scaling innovations designed with a user -centric approach for smallholder farmers and that have a strong potential for commercial sustainability.

AICCRA (Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa), a World Bank funded program, works to make climate information services and climate-smart agriculture more accessible to millions of smallholder farmers across Africa.
With better access to technology and advisory services--linked to information about effective response measures--farmers can better anticipate climate-related events to take preventative action that helps their communities safeguard livelihoods and the environment. AICCRA teams focus on four themes: Knowledge, partnerships, innovation and gender and social inclusion.
AICCRA builds on the legacy of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), which operated on a global scale for more than a decade, coming to a closure in 2021 as part of the 'OneCGIAR' transformation.
About the position

The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT is seeking a motivated and dynamic individual to join our team as a Senior Research Associate for the UU CFSA and AICCRA projects.

Key duties & responsibilities

1. Investment Readiness Assessment:
   
   • Through the process of a diagnostics, evaluate the readiness of agribusinesses for investment by assessing their financial documentation, business plans, and overall financial health.
     
   • Identify gaps in financial preparedness and provide recommendations for improvement.
     
   • Financial Research and Analysis:
     
     • Conduct in-depth financial analysis of participating agribusinesses, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
       
     • Assess financial risks and opportunities, considering market dynamics, industry benchmarks, and sustainable business practices.
       
     • Financial Modeling:
       
       • Develop and maintain financial models to simulate various scenarios and forecast the financial performance of agribusinesses.
         
       • Assist entrepreneurs in understanding the financial implications of different business strategies.
         
       • Fundraising Research and Support:
         
         • Conduct research on the fundraising landscape for capital providers in the sector and map appropriate funding partners in grants, debt and equity for the portfolio of agribusinesses.
           
         • Collaborate with agribusinesses to prepare compelling financial narratives and presentations for potential investors.
           
         • Provide guidance on structuring investment deals, valuations, and negotiating financial terms.
           
         • Support agribusinesses in developing effective fundraising strategies aligned with their financial goals.
           
         • Capacity Building:
           
           • Offer training and capacity-building sessions to enhance the financial literacy of agribusiness owners and management teams.
             
           • Provide ongoing support and mentorship to strengthen financial management practices within the cohort.
             
           • Risk Management:
             
             • Identify financial risks that may impact agribusiness sustainability and work with entrepreneurs to develop mitigation strategies.
               
             • Stay informed about industry trends and regulatory changes that could affect financial stability.
               
             • Collaboration with Investors:
               
               • Facilitate communication between agribusinesses and potential investors to streamline due diligence processes.