Consultant – Client Engagement, Support and Adoption

Consultant – Client Engagement, Support and Adoption

Company Overview

The Alliance of Bioversity International ( www.bioversityinternational.org ) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) ( www.ciat.cgiar.org ) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Our solutions address critical global challenges including malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. As part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, the Alliance drives innovation with novel partnerships to mainstream solutions that sustain the planet, foster prosperity, and nourish people amidst the climate crisis.

Position

We are seeking a dedicated National Consultant, Client Engagement, Support and Adoption Coordinator, to act as the central point of contact between our clients (users of Ona and Sikia products) and the Tatu team. This role is pivotal in ensuring the effective deployment, adoption, and ongoing support for our cutting-edge AI-powered data collection tools in the Global South.

Employment Type

Full-time Consultancy (8 months, with potential for extension)

Location

Arusha, Tanzania

Salary & Benefits

This full-time consultancy offers a competitive value of USD 16,000 for the 8-month duration, with a clear possibility of extension based on performance and project needs. This role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects at the intersection of AI, agriculture, and sustainable development, making a tangible difference in communities across the Global South. While this is a consultancy contract, you will be an integral part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team, driving the adoption of transformative technology.

Compensation

The total compensation for the 8-month consultancy period is USD 16,000, payable in quarterly installments tied to the successful delivery of key milestones.

Accommodation & Facilities

As a nationally recruited consultancy position based in Arusha, Tanzania, direct accommodation and facilities support are not typically provided. Candidates are expected to be based in Arusha.

Job Description

Tatu, formerly known as the Artemis project, is a groundbreaking initiative leveraging AI tailored for the Global South. Our multidisciplinary team of 30+ experts is transforming food systems by making high-quality data collection accessible and impactful. We focus on improving crop breeding and capturing crucial farm data to accelerate the development of climate-resilient varieties and inform farmer decisions.

Products under Tatu:

• Ona: A smartphone-based computer vision phenotyping tool, developed with Gates Foundation support, that images entire breeding plots in under 30 seconds. It delivers same-day, high-precision data superior to traditional methods and is now scaling across CGIAR with Google.org support.
• NDIZI & Sikia: Utilizing NLP research, Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), and Vision-Language Models (VLMs), NDIZI captures conversational and visual farm data. Sikia integrates these insights to output farmer preferences and crop performance, with ongoing expansion into African languages and offline deployment.

Current implementation includes Ona piloting in Tanzania and Uganda (beans), with models for cowpea and sorghum expected by Q3 2026, and expansion to rice and other crops. Sikia is tested in Tanzania and Kenya, with future tests planned across Africa and beyond. Our extensive partnership network includes TARI, IITA, CIMMYT, CIP, Colorado State University, Google Research, Mineral, and the London School of Economics, all supported by the Gates Foundation and coordinated from Arusha, Tanzania.

This role will be critical in managing client relationships, coordinating field activities, and ensuring the smooth adoption and continued use of Ona and Sikia, thereby maximizing their impact on global food security.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage comprehensive client engagement across various field campaigns and pilots.
• Refine and rigorously apply the Ona Client Engagement Checklist to maintain high standards.
• Provide regular weekly status updates on all client engagements and project progress.
• Serve as the primary, single point of contact for clients, fostering strong relationships.
• Coordinate efficient issue resolution by liaising directly with the expert Tatu teams.
• Collaborate closely with breeding teams to seamlessly integrate Tatu’s workflows into their operations.
• Document all client feedback and capture valuable lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Monitor and actively support Sikia pilots, ensuring successful deployment and data capture.
• Establish robust internal customer support workflows, encompassing intake, triage, escalation, tracking, follow-up, and closure.
• Develop comprehensive service frameworks, templates, and service delivery standards.
• Track and analyze customer support performance across all engagements to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Identify gaps in current support mechanisms and propose innovative solutions and improvements.
• Represent Tatu effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners.
• Support market validation efforts and perform strategic scoping activities.
• Conduct targeted outreach and meticulously document interest from potential clients.
• Assess distinct client segments and identify compelling use cases for Tatu’s products.
• Conduct thorough cost assessments for client engagement, customer service, and maintenance systems.
• Develop a detailed cost framework, including staff time, travel, hardware/software, and communication expenses.
• Provide expert budgeting and service model recommendations to optimize operations.

Required Skills & Experience

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Business Development, Education/Adult Learning, or a closely related technical field.
• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience in stakeholder coordination, client monitoring, and technology adoption, preferably within agricultural research contexts.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in customer support or service delivery, coupled with a background in capacity development or adult learning methodologies.

Frontend Knowledge

While not a development role, a strong understanding of user interfaces and digital product interaction is essential.

• Familiarity with mobile application usage and troubleshooting common user issues.
• Ability to clearly articulate product features and benefits to non-technical users.
• Experience in collecting and synthesizing user feedback to inform product improvements.

Additional Technical Skills

• Proficiency in coordination and project management tools, including checklists, trackers, and shared drives (e.g., Google Drive, SharePoint).
• Strong analytical capabilities for tracking performance metrics and developing service frameworks.
• Ability to identify and solve problems systematically and efficiently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in field coordination and deploying or supporting digital tools in challenging field conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural, interdisciplinary team environment.
• Proven track record of establishing and maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking an organized, proactive, and highly communicative individual with a passion for driving technology adoption to achieve impactful development outcomes. You will be a critical bridge between our advanced AI solutions and their real-world application, directly influencing food security and agricultural resilience. Your ability to manage complex client relationships, troubleshoot, and foster adoption will be key to Tatu’s success.

Work Environment

You will join a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of 30+ experts dedicated to product development, Machine Learning, field operations, and user design. The role is based in Arusha, Tanzania, and involves close collaboration with our extensive network of partners and international research institutions. You will work in an innovative environment where your contributions directly support the scaling of AI tools across Africa and beyond.

Hiring Process

Our selection process is designed to identify candidates who align with our mission and possess the expertise to excel in this role. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further evaluation, which may include interviews and practical assessments. We are committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to apply by the deadline of 15th May 2026.

• To view the full job description and apply, please visit our careers page at https://www.bioversityinternational.org/jobs/ .
• Please ensure you reference the position title: Ref: RFC: CONSULTANT – CLIENT ENGAGEMENT, SUPPORT AND ADOPTION in your application.
• Submit your CV and application letter as a single document, formatted as "Last name, First name".
• Direct application link: https://zrec.eu/BSgyf?source=CareerSite

Important notes:

• The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
• We will never ask for your bank information.
• Email applications will not be accepted.

Bonus Skills (Nice to Have)

• Prior experience in developing or implementing customer service frameworks in an agricultural or scientific context.
• Proficiency in additional relevant African languages.
• Demonstrated capacity for independent problem-solving and initiative in remote or field settings.

Join Us

Step into a pivotal role at The Alliance where your expertise will directly contribute to transforming food systems globally through advanced AI. If you are passionate about driving client success and enabling the adoption of cutting-edge technology for social impact, we encourage you to apply. Join a team committed to innovation, sustainability, and making a real difference in the lives of millions.