CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (CGIAR)

….. "A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD AN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM TO HELP SOLVE ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHALLENGES - REDUCING HUNGER AND POVERTY IN THE FACE OF DECLINING WATER RESOURCES" ……………

CGIAR CHALLENGE PROGRAM FOR WATER AND FOOD

A Director is being sought to lead the Challenge Program for Water and Food (CPWF). The CPWF focuses on one of the greatest global challenges, the need to feed all of humankind whilst at the same time managing water and other environmental resources sustainably - in the face of growing populations, declining water and land resources, and climate change.

The CPWF is an international, multi-institutional research initiative with a strong emphasis on north-south and south-south partnerships. It brings together a consortium of 18 institutions and over 200 partners, including scientists, development specialists and river basin communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The CPWF generates and disseminates research-based knowledge to improve the productivity of water in river basins in ways that are pro-poor, gender equitable and environmentally sustainable. The Program has an annual budget of approximately $13 million. It has about 11 staff from diverse cultural backgrounds, 4 located in the Program's various water basin sites. Seven staff members are located in the Secretariat hosted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The program is one of four Challenge Programs established by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) that address complex cross-cutting issues of great global significance. See www.cgiar.org and www.waterforfood.org for additional information.

Program Director

The Program has just completed its first 6-year phase and is about to embark upon Phase 2. The CPWF now wishes to appoint a Program Director to lead this next phase of the Program, and candidates are being sought to meet the following requirements:

Responsibilities

• The Director will provide strong scientific, administrative and financial leadership to the Program by:
  • playing a major role in further development of the strategic vision for Phase 2 of the Program;
  • providing effective oversight and coordination as well as motivation for CPWF scientific and administrative staff in all the Program's locations;
  • stimulating effective cooperation, coordination and innovation through networking with the 19 consortium partner institutions and other public and private stakeholders involved with CPWF in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as with advanced institutions in the 'north'.
• The Director will ensure that the outputs and outcomes from the Program are consistent with its objectives in terms of content and quality, and that these are aligned with the research milestones and performance indicators.
• She/he will provide leadership in identifying and securing the funding required for the program from both traditional and new donors in the public and private sectors. This role will require a commitment to extensive external communication and high level representation.
• She/he will report to the Governing Board through its Chair, and as required to the Consortium Steering Committee. The Director is an ex-officio member of the Board.

Qualifications

• A PhD or equivalent scientific track record, plus 10-15 years experience in a discipline relevant to the research agenda of CPWF.
• Experience in leading and managing a complex multi-location international research program to produce outputs and outcomes of high scientific quality that contribute to the reduction of poverty and hunger, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
• Demonstrated capability in successfully managing networks and partnerships between diverse public and private research and rural development organizations in both the developing and developed world.
• Proven ability to lead teams in multi-cultural environments, whilst remaining sensitive to issues of gender and local culture in partner organizations and collaborating countries.
• Research experience in Africa, Asia or Latin America, with knowledge of the CGIAR desirable.
• Proven abilities in fund raising.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, and preferably competence in a second major language relevant to the CPWF.

Compensation and tenure

The compensation package is competitive with positions in similar international research initiatives and includes a generous benefit package. The initial period of contract is three years and is renewable.

Location

The Director will utilize the CPWF Secretariat located at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Colombo, Sri Lanka as his/her headquarters, but the decision as to the official HQ location for the CPWF will be subject to further negotiation as appropriate.

Application procedure

Applicants should submit a letter indicating why they are interested in and qualified for the position and a detailed curriculum vitae including the names, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses of three confidential referees. The documents should be directed to Joan Joshi, Consultant to the Search Committee, either by mail to 58 Eastern Avenue, South Deerfield, MA 01373, USA, or by email at WaterCP@aol.com. Telephone calls may be made to 1-413-665-1315. Applications must be received no later than January 15, 2009. A final decision on the appointment is expected to be made by March 2009.

As an international initiative, the CPWF believes that the diversity of its staff contributes to excellence and encourages applications from women and developing country professionals.