Consultant, Programme Specialist, ACF

Consultant, Programme Specialist, ACF

The Organization

The Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation (ACF) is a strategic coalition of ambitious countries determined to act urgently, together. Launched at COP28 in Dubai, signatories to the Alliance are committing to driving bold, coordinated action, taking a ‘whole of government’ approach to transforming their food systems such that they deliver better outcomes across 5 key areas: Food nutrition and security; adaptation and resilience; equity and livelihoods; nature and biodiversity; and climate mitigation. ACF countries are working to improve their national food systems in ways that become attractive blueprints for others to follow, showcasing national leadership, facilitating learning, disseminating knowledge and accelerating innovation. ACF members include Brazil and Sierra Leone (co-chairs) plus Cambodia, Colombia, Italy, Norway, Rwanda and Vietnam.

About the position

On behalf of ACF, the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) is seeking a qualified consultant to provide technical and advisory support to the ACF Secretariat, contributing to the delivery of key outputs related to member engagement, coordination mechanisms, and implementation of the ACF workplan.

Responsibilities

1. Partnerships and Engagement (45%)

• Support the planning and delivery of monthly virtual member meetings and two to four in-person meetings during the contract period, including the preparation of agendas, briefing materials, pre-meeting notes, and post-meeting summaries.
  
• Provide coordination and communications support to the Head of Secretariat and Country Engagement Lead in maintaining regular engagement with country focal points, including scheduling and participating in bilateral meetings with existing and prospective ACF members.
  
• Develop engagement plans and supporting materials for new ACF members, including Italy, Vietnam, and Colombia, and prepare outreach materials for potential member countries.
  
• Prepare briefing notes, ministerial statements, press releases, and other communications materials in support of ACF advocacy activities and in coordination with communications consultants.
  
• Map and engage relevant civil society, academic, and NGO stakeholders and prepare a concept note outlining options for a “Friends of ACF” support structure.
  

2. Thought Leadership and Strategy (10%)

• Prepare background materials, presentations, and organizational inputs for one Secretariat planning session and support the development and implementation of the ACF engagement plan for international and regional events.
  
• Develop and maintain an overview of international initiatives related to food systems transformation and prepare periodic updates to inform ACF positioning and collaboration opportunities.
  

3. Delivery and Project Management (30%)

• Contribute to the preparation and organization of Secretariat meetings and maintain an updated workplan tracking timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables across workstreams.
  
• Prepare monthly budget monitoring updates and identify any variances or issues requiring attention by the Head of Secretariat.
  
• Prepare quarterly progress reports summarizing activities undertaken, outputs delivered, and recommendations.
  

4. Fundraising and Development (15%)

• Develop and maintain a pipeline of fundraising opportunities for 2027–2030 and provide technical inputs to funding proposals and bid submissions.
  

Deliverables

Partnerships and Engagement (45%)

1.  Deliver monthly member convenings and in-person meetings, including:

• At least six, monthly virtual member meetings coordinated and delivered
  
• Between 2 and 4 in-person member meetings supported during the contract period
  
• Agendas, pre-briefings, information notes, and meeting summaries prepared and circulated for 100% of meetings
  

Due by 31st May 2027

2. Deliver member engagement and coordination support, including:

• Periodic stakeholder engagement summaries documenting interactions with ACF member focal points (3-4 reports over the 11-month period)
  
• Briefing notes and summary reports for at least twelve bilateral meetings with existing or prospective ACF members.
  
• A member engagement and communications log updated monthly throughout the contract period
  

Due by 31st May 2027

3. Develop engagement support packages for new and prospective members, including:

• Engagement plans developed for at least 3 incoming members, including Italy, Vietnam, and Colombia
  
• Outreach materials and briefing packages prepared for prospective member engagement activities
  
• Recommendations prepared to support future member expansion efforts.
  

Due by 31st May 2027

4. Deliver advocacy and communications materials in support of key ACF moments, including:

• At least twenty advocacy and communications products prepared, such as briefing notes, ministerial statements, talking points, press releases, and key messages
  
• Materials delivered in advance of major advocacy opportunities, including COP31 and other international events.
  

Due by 30th November 2026

5. Develop and support a civil society and stakeholder engagement network, including:

• A stakeholder mapping covering at least fifteen relevant academic, NGO, and civil society organizations
  
• One concept note developed outlining options for a “Friends of ACF” support structure
  

Due by 30th September 2026

Thought Leadership and Strategy (10%)

1. Deliver planning and strategic engagement support, including:

• Materials, agendas, and organizational inputs prepared for Secretariat planning session in January 2027
  
• Contribute to maintaining and updating the ACF engagement plan for international and regional events
  
• Strategic briefing inputs prepared for priority advocacy and engagement opportunities
  

Due by 31st January 2027 (for the away day) and 31st May 2027 for other elements of this deliverable

2. Develop and maintain an overview of international food systems initiatives, including:

• One ecosystem mapping document developed covering relevant international initiatives and partnerships
  
• Quarterly updates submitted throughout the contract period (minimum three updates)
  
• Recommendations prepared to support ACF positioning and collaboration opportunities
  

Due by 30th September 2026 (for the ecosystem mapping) and 31st May 2027 for the other elements of this deliverable.

Delivery and Project Management (30%)

1. Coordinate Secretariat planning and workplan tracking, including:

• Meeting documentation packages (agendas, briefs, minutes) prepared for Secretariat coordination meetings
  
• Consolidated Secretariat workplan maintained and updated monthly
  
• Deliverables tracking updates prepared and shared on a regular basis
  

Due by 31st May 2027

2. Deliver budget monitoring and reporting support, including:

• Monthly budget tracking updates prepared, highlighting expenditure status, variances and recommendations and submitted to the Head of Secretariat (minimum ten updates)
  
• Financial tracking inputs consolidated to support Secretariat planning
  

Due by 31st May 2027

3. Deliver quarterly progress reporting, including:

• Four quarterly progress reports submitted during the contract period
  
• Reports summarizing activities undertaken, outputs delivered, implementation progress, risks, and recommendations
  

Due by 31st August 2026; 30th November 2026; 28th February 2027; 31st May 2027 for each of the quarterly progress reports.

Fundraising and Development (15%)

1. Develop fundraising and partnership development inputs, including:

• Mapped fundraising pipeline covering opportunities for 2027–2030
  
• At least five prospective funding opportunities identified and documented
  
• Technical inputs provided to at least two funding proposals, concept notes, or bid submissions during the contract period
  

Due by 30th March 2027

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with Master’s Degree in a relevant field (environment, climate change, food systems, international development or equivalent).
  
• Solid professional experience (minimum 5 years) in one of the above relevant fields.
  
• Exceptional interpersonal and collaborative skills; a demonstrated ability to engage, influence and work constructively with internal and external colleagues at all levels.
  
• Exceptional project management skills, with proven ability to manage multiple, complex and time-sensitive tasks simultaneously, consistently delivering high quality outputs in a timely manner.
  
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English (Spanish also desired, but not mandatory); ability to translate technical information into lay language for policy audiences.
  
• A proactive problem solver with a 'can-do' attitude.
  
• Experience in building and maintaining strong external networks of key decision makers.
  
• Ability to work remotely (with a preference for CET-compatible time zones) and flexibility to travel internationally.
  

Desirable

• Experience working in a multi-cultural, diverse and international virtual environment.
  
• Work experience in, and/or study concerning, one or more of ACF's member countries.
  
• Work experience in one or more of the ACF's ten key action areas (listed on the ACF website: https://allianceofchampions.org)
  

Benefits

Terms of employment

This is a remote, 11-month consultancy opportunity. All consultancy fees and conditions will be administered in line with the Alliance approved policy for consultants.

Applications

Please apply online through the website (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers) no later than 14th  June 2026.

1)    Curriculum vitae (CV) (using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting).

2)  References: Please provide the name and email address of three professional referees who have worked with you and are knowledgeable about your skills and professional abilities.

3)  A technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) which should clearly demonstrate how the candidate’s experience aligns with the responsibilities and deliverables of the role. The proposal should highlight the methodology to be used in achieving:

• Partnerships and engagement, including support for virtual and in-person member meetings, engagement of new members and mapping of the relevant ecosystem;
  
• Thought leadership and strategy, including Secretariat planning and an overview of relevant international initiatives;
  
• Delivery and project management, including Secretariat meetings and workplan, budget monitoring and progress reports, and
  
• Fundraising and development, including a pipeline of opportunities for 2027 onwards. 
  

4)      Proposed consultancy fees for the period, indicated in daily USD