Internal Call Only - (RFP500612) Job Trainee, Cacao of Excellence (Temporary Assignment, 11 months- Perugia,Italy)

(Temporary Assignment, 11 months-Perugia, Italy)

TheOrganization

Cacao of Excellence, led by the CGIAR’sAlliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for TropicalAgriculture (CIAT), is a neutral global platform that brings together thepublic and private sector to discover, promote, and reward cacao producers ofexcellence from all origins, focusing on superior cacao quality and flavourdiversity. Since 2009, the platform has held the prestigious global Cacao ofExcellence Awards, celebrating and rewarding the work of cacao producers andshowcasing the diversity of exceptional flavours worldwide. By leading cacaoresearch, discovering exceptional producers and training the next generation ofvalue chain actors, Cacao of Excellence’s is supporting the expansion ofsuperior quality cacao, ensuring more producers thrive as empoweredentrepreneurs.

The CGIAR Alliance ofBioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture(CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversityand sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliancesolutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change,biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. With novel partnerships, theAlliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform foodsystems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, andnourish people in a climate crisis. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a globalresearch partnership for a food-secure future.

Based in Perugia, Italy, and under the supervision ofthe Cacao of Excellence, Manager of the Program, the incumbent will provideoffice assistance and general support to the processing of cacao beans samples.

Responsibilities





- Assist with the processing of allcacao bean samples assigned by the Cacaoof Excellence, Manager of the Program, into cacao mass,chocolate, or other chocolate-derived products. This includes cleaning thebeans, roasting, breaking, winnowing, milling, tempering, and other relevantoperations.
- Cleaning the different areas of thelab as and when required.
- Support with hygiene-related activities in the specific areas of the labto ensure food safety of the cacao mass produced.
- Assist with production of thedifferent valorization products for the Award Ceremony and Beyond (diversity sets,chocolate treasure box, …)
- Provide office assistance onprocurement and logistics including supporting with the inventory system ofsupplies and consumables.
- Provide support to the team in theorganization of visits and events at the lab - particularly with the cateringand maintenance of the open space.
- Assist in other duties related to theprocess as guided by the Cacao of Excellence, Manager of the Program.
- Assist in the implementation oftraining programs and provide support in all related activities involvingtrainees, as assigned by the Cacao of Excellence, Manager of the Program.

Requirements

- Secondary school education.

- Working knowledge of Microsoft OfficeSuite packages.

- Working knowledge of the Englishlanguage, both written and spoken.

- Good interpersonal, communication andteamwork skills, courtesy and tact,



and the ability to establish and maintaineffective working relationships with people of different cultural and nationalbackgrounds.

- Good skills in personal organizationand priority setting.

- Good client orientation and serviceapproach.

- Good time management skills andattention to details.

- Previousinternships.

- Workexperience in an international environment.

Terms of employment

This is ajob traineeship based in Perugia, Italy, open to internal candidates, namely:regular staff members, complementary staff members, and individuals who arecurrently employed or have completed a contract with Bioversity in the last 12months. The monthly salary is Euro 1,217. The contract is initially for aperiod of eleven (11) months. The contract may be extendable based onperformance and availability of funds.

Workingdays will be Friday to Tuesday as scheduled by the Cacao of Excellence, Managerof the Program.

The Alliance of BioversityInternational & 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 andmentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our globalcharacter is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races,colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disabilitystatuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender identities. Femalecandidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pleasenote that eligible applicants must have the legal status to live and work inItaly:

· Be Italian nationals holding a valid passport or identity card.

· Or be EU citizens holding a valid passport or identity card and confirmation of registration from the Registrar’s Office (Anagrafe).

Closing date for applications: 30th September 2026

We invite you to learn more about us at:

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Internal Call Only2) Job Trainee, Cacao of Excellence (Temporary Assignment, 11 months- Perugia,Italy)
🏢 Swiss Forum For International Agricultural Research
📍 Perugia