Program Assistant Partnerships and Data Management – CIMMYT

Role Overview

This position sits within CIMMYT's Global Maize Program, focusing on the day-to-day administration of the software platform that tracks intellectual assets and technology transfer for the organisation. Day to day, you will manage user support, data quality, and contract lifecycles for maize product partners in Eastern Africa, ensuring that breeding outputs move efficiently from research into the hands of farmers. Your work directly supports the program’s mission to accelerate the impact of improved maize varieties by maintaining accurate records, streamlining workflows, and strengthening partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer the intellectual-asset and technology-transfer software system, including user account management, access rights, and system configuration.
• Provide first-line and coordinated technical support to both internal CIMMYT staff and external partners who rely on the system for maize product information.
• Perform data entry, data cleaning, and enforce a robust quality-control framework to ensure the integrity of all records within the system.
• Collaborate with IT and programme teams to design, test, and roll out automated workflows, dashboards, and analytical reports that improve visibility into contract status and product performance.
• Analyse system data proactively to identify process bottlenecks, slow-moving agreements, or missed opportunities for business development, then propose actionable improvements.
• Manage an assigned portfolio of agreements with Eastern African partners, overseeing the full contract lifecycle: lead follow-up, execution, monitoring and reporting, amendments, and close-out.
• Support communications and marketing campaigns, particularly product announcements related to Eastern Africa maize breeding pipelines, by preparing data extracts and partner contact lists.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, management, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated professional experience (or a strong combination of academic and work experience) in at least two of the following areas: systems administration, data management or analysis, business intelligence, business development or marketing, partner or customer relationship management, monitoring and evaluation, the seed industry, or contract management.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Exceptional attention to detail, especially when handling large datasets, legal agreements, or reporting outputs where accuracy is critical.