CIO Team

Tania Jordan

ICT-KM Technical Coordinator

Ask anyone who knows Tania Jordan to describe her, and they will most likely tell you that she is a dynamic and multi-tasked person. Although this description is accurate, it fails to tell you the degree to which Tania can simultaneously take on numerous roles. Indeed, it is this talented young woman's adaptability that has made her an invaluable asset to the ICT-KM Program.

Involved with the Program on a part-time basis since October 2006, Tania has continued to maintain her base at CIAT's headquarters in Cali, Colombia, where she has been employed since 1999. These days, she deftly splits her time between her Center-specific duties as a software support engineer and her Program-related responsibilities, devoting approximately 75% of her efforts to the Program.

A typical working day sees Tania liaising with the CIO in Rome and IT managers from across the CGIAR System while acting as a 'user support' engineer for CIAT's Software Development Quality Assurance Process. Coping with the challenges that come from working across several time zones is now second nature to this vibrant woman, whose Program duties include researching hardware/software opportunities, coordinating RFI/RFP requests, Invoices tracking, keeping the CIO and the IT managers up-to-date on new CGNET services and special offers, and carrying out a variety of tasks for CGXchange.

"I'm happy with my work the ICT-KM Program because it's a continuous learning process that requires me to manage different IT tasks and work with many interesting people," says Tania. "CIO Enrica Porcari and the CGIAR IT managers have also given me the necessary motivation and support to enable me carry out my tasks successfully."

Since joining CIAT as a practice student eight years ago, Tania has participated in several innovative projects. For example, she provided end-user, System-wide support to several in-house developed tools such as CIAT Project Manager and CGIAR Finance Information System (FIS). These and other experiences have given Tania a broad multi-cultural view.

As she explains: "I've had the opportunity to implement tools and provide training for many people in different CGIAR Centers around the globe, all of which have helped broaden my horizons."

Tania is also impressed by the way in which CGIAR Centers are now coming together to work in mutually beneficial ways.

"If we continue to partner with each other and take advantage of each Center's expertise, there is so much that can be done to improve the way we work and the quality of the knowledge we deliver to the world," she says.

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA, Tania relocated to Cali, her parents' home town, to finish high school when she was 15 years old. Then, in 2000, she completed her Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering at Cali's ICESI University, where she also specialized in Networks and Communications three years later. Not content with these qualifications, she went on to undertake a Project Management course in the Universidad del Valle, Cali, and was also a Mentee in the Future Harvest Centers Mentoring Program supported by the CGIAR Gender and & Diversity Program in 2006.

When this energetic young woman isn't busy with her inter-continental responsibilities, she likes to read, watch movies and spend time with family and friends. But that's not all...

A keen Salsa dancer, Tania also enjoys singing, exercising and traveling. As if such a high-octane personality could ever be content with sitting around for too long.