Partnership Engagement Specialist, UAE Agriculture & AI Ecosystem

Engagement Overview

This consultancy is for a Partnership Engagement Specialist to support the CGIAR AI Hub in Abu Dhabi. The assignment runs for 12 months and may be extended depending on performance and available funding. The expected start is as soon as possible.

About the Initiative

The CGIAR AI Hub is a global collaboration based in Abu Dhabi and formed through the UAE-Gates Foundation partnership as part of Abu Dhabi's AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development. It operates within CGIAR's Digital Transformation Accelerator and collaborates with AI partners such as MBZUAI, ai71, Inception, and others to turn more than 50 years of CGIAR agricultural data and science into usable AI solutions for food, land, and water systems.

The UAE agriculture and AI landscape has grown quickly, bringing together sovereign institutions, innovation platforms, and international development stakeholders. The Hub now needs dedicated partnership support to deepen its role in this ecosystem and turn relationships into active collaboration.

Role Purpose

The consultant will act as the main relationship lead between the CGIAR AI Hub and the UAE agriculture and AI ecosystem. Based part-time at the MBZUAI Institute for Agriculture and AI, the role will focus on building and sustaining strategic relationships with the UAE Presidential Court's International Affairs Office and important UAE innovation partners, helping the Hub advance its work through institutional cooperation.

Scope of Work

• Build, nurture, and maintain relationships between the CGIAR AI Hub and the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, which serves as the Hub's main sovereign-level patron.
• Develop active collaboration with UAE innovation partners including the MBZUAI Institute for Agriculture and AI (AI/IA), AIM for Scale, ai71, Inception, and other new ecosystem actors.
• Spot partnership opportunities that fit the Hub's AI product portfolio and move them toward formal agreements or working action plans.
• Represent the CGIAR AI Hub in relevant UAE meetings, convenings, forums, and bilateral discussions.
• Track changes across the UAE agriculture and AI ecosystem and keep Hub communications and positioning aligned with partner priorities.
• Share regular stakeholder intelligence with the DTA Product Director to support strategic decision-making.
• Help align Hub product roadmaps with partner interests, including possible co-design opportunities with MBZUAI AI/IA, AIM for Scale, and AI71.
• Prepare tailored communications, briefing notes, and presentation materials for meetings with UAE sovereign and institutional stakeholders.
• Work with CGIAR DTA communications teams to keep Hub messaging consistent across the UAE and Gulf region.
• Support the DTA Product Director in preparing for senior-level meetings with the International Affairs Office and ecosystem leaders.

Candidate Profile

This is a relationship-focused, externally facing consultancy at the center of a prominent agriculture-AI partnership. The consultant will work across sovereign bodies, innovation hubs, and global development partners, helping CGIAR science reach more farmers faster through AI. It suits a development professional who understands the UAE institutional environment, brings strong diplomacy and interpersonal skills, and is committed to using AI to improve food security and climate resilience.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience in partnership development, policy engagement, or programme management within international development, agriculture, or technology.
• Established connections in the UAE agriculture, food security, or AI/innovation space; direct familiarity with working with UAE government or sovereign institutions is required.
• Experience handling partnerships that involve government, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders.
• Exposure to agrifood systems, digital development, or AI-enabled programmes is a strong advantage.
• A master's degree in international development, global affairs, public policy, or a closely related discipline is required.
• English fluency is mandatory; Arabic is beneficial.
• UAE residency, such as a Golden Visa or an equivalent status, is preferred.

Application Notes

The application deadline is 8 July 2026 at 11:59 PM CET. Candidates should submit their application online. If support is needed while applying, they may email smo-bidding@cgiar.org and include the position title in the subject line; however, applications sent by email will not be considered.

Applicants must provide a resume and cover letter in English. Submissions should not include marital status, age, or a photograph. Materials in any language other than English will not be reviewed.

Workplace Values

CGIAR promotes fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces and values diversity as a driver of innovation and excellence. The organization supports a multicultural, multidisciplinary environment and encourages applications from people of all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, genders, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Only candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.