The Organization

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) is part of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. CIAT delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. CIAT solutions address the global crisis of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

CIAT works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. CIAT is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis.

 

About the position

We are searching for a Temporary Staff – Program Assistant to provide efficient and effective administrative and logistical support to research and/or development projects within CIAT.

 

Key duties & responsibilities

• Support research staff in the hub in raising requests for the acquisition of goods and services and following up with the person responsible for implementation, liaising with accounting staff about payments (handling invoices, payment authorizations and collection accounts);
• Support and guide research area colleagues in the process and required documentation for the hiring of research staff including interns, visiting research fellows, and national and international consultants;
• Assist with payment authorizations, travel arrangements (tickets and payment advances), and travel expenses claims;
• Make logistical arrangements for meetings, seminars and conferences, and other events (including invitations, air tickets, hotels, etc.) and relevant follow-up; Prepare non-technical minutes of meetings as required by research staff;
• Support with the development of research contracts (letters of agreement) and invoicing for small grants, as required;
• Carry out other administrative duties as required by the research areas.

 

Required qualifications, experience and competencies

• Technology career or equivalent in agriculture, business administration, logistics, accounting, political sciences, international relations or related discipline or relevant fields, is desirable;
• Acquiring training in using tools for designing E-questionnaire for data collection and in participatory approaches are advantageous;
• Previous relevant work experience (2+ years), preferably in an international organization;
• Previous relevant work experience in supporting logistics and administration for international and/or large scale (50 people +) conferences, workshops, and meetings;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office package (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams and Outlook);
• Sound knowledge of standard office procedures;
• Strong client orientation and service approach;
• Strong interpersonal, communications, and teamwork skills; courtesy, tact, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people from different cultural and national backgrounds;
• Well-developed skills in personal organization and accuracy.

 

Terms of contract

This position is a national recruited position based in Hanoi, Vietnam and is expected to start from April 2026. The position will be offered under a 6-month contract and is entitled to SHUI and Trade Union contributions as per Vietnamese Labour Law.

CIAT is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Applications

Please send applications to [email protected] with the subject line: Temporary Staff – Program Assistant. Cover letter and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting (Cover letter should illustrate your motivation to apply and suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications and work responsibilities. Detailed curriculum vitae should include the names and email addresses of three professional referees who are knowledgeable about your skills and professional abilities).

CIAT collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

 

Applications closing date: 31 March 2026

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org