Director, Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Science Program for CGIAR

Director, Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Science Program for CGIAR

Join to apply for the Director, Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Science Program for CGIAR role at SRI Executive

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Director, Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Science Program for CGIAR role at SRI Executive

SRI Executive Search has been contracted by the CGIAR to assist with the search for an exceptional candidate to fill the position of Director, Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Science Program.

About CGIAR

CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty , enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Its research is conducted closely with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations, and the private sector.

For more information, visit .

Role Purpose

CGIAR has an ambitious mission to deliver science and innovations that advance the transformation of food, land and water systems in a climate crisis to reduce poverty and inequity, enhance food and nutrition security, and improve natural resources and ecosystem services. CGIAR’s IntegratedPartnership operates as a federated group of Centers and the CGIAR System Organization, united by common values and principles, and committed to achieving synergies that enhance their individual and collective contributions to CGIAR’s mission.

CGIAR’s 2025—30 science and innovation Portfolio encompasses eight Science Programs, a Scaling for Impact Program, and three Accelerators. The Portfolio is designed to harness CGIAR’s collective capabilities to address the most pressing global challenges. It aims to foster deeper and broader programmatic integration across Centers and disciplines, enabling science and innovation at a greater scale with enhanced reach and impact.

The Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Science Program aims to improve the lives and wellbeing of people in low- and middle-income countries by sustainably transforming animal and aquatic food systems, so they foster inclusive, healthy, and nutrient-dense food supply chains that are climate and environmentally friendly. Through innovative research, the Program enhances productivity, resilience, and sustainability in animal and aquatic food systems while integrating cutting-edge technologies and community-focused strategies. By fostering collaboration and stakeholder engagement, the Program transforms these sectors into drivers of economic growth, environmental stewardship, and improved nutrition outcomes.

The Director, Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Science Program provides scientific leadership, adaptive management, and strategic alignment of the Program and its components as a coherent, joint undertaking that spans multiple CGIAR Centers, partners, and sources of funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Catalyzes cross-disciplinary research, identifying opportunities for resource mobilization, and promoting the adoption of transformative solutions that address global challenges and enhance local impact.
2. Provides scientific and strategic leadership of the Program, ensuring continuous review and adaptive management of the Program’s vision, theory of change, and structure to maximize impact, relevance, and efficiency.
3. Oversees Program execution, aligning activities with CGIAR’s overarching vision, mission, and 2030 outcomes, including developing and managing work plans and budgets for CGIAR Trust Fund Windows 1 and 2 (W1/2) funded activities, and fostering alignment of relevant Window 3 (W3)/ bilaterally funded projects and programs with the Program’s high-level outcomes and theory of change.
4. Leads the Program’s Leadership team, comprising Area of Work Leads and Co-Leads, and Center Delegates defining a vision for the program and shared accountability.
5. Actively participates in CGIAR’s Global Science Team, driving coordinated science and innovation leadership across the Portfolio to achieve collective impact.
6. Guides and directs engagement with global enabling and engagement functions, a Program - level Independent Advisory Group, and CGIAR’s partnership-wide independent advisory and assurance bodies (i.e. Independent Science for Development Council, the Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service, the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment, and Internal Audit) combining scientific and political acumen.
7. Acts as a spokesperson, engaging with partners, funders and – when required – CGIAR’s partnership-wide governing bodies on matters related to the Program, including the CGIAR System Council and CGIAR Integrated Partnership Board.
8. Drives innovation and scaling efforts by fostering collaborative partnerships with global and regional stakeholders, including research institutions, policymakers, private sector actors, and community organizations.
9. Directs the delivery, quality of science, and prioritization of W1/2-funded activities and outputs, and assumes overall accountability for the use of such funds for their intended purpose under the Program.
10. Establishes performance and results management of the Program, including the development of technical and financial reporting and the implementation of regular pause and reflect processes.
11. Assigns and provides functional oversight of Area of Work Leads and CoLeads and Program Management Unit staff in Centers.
12. Drives the development of scientifically robust, actionable, and scalable outputs that bridge research and practical application.
13. Expands continuous improvement by implementing advanced monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks, ensuring alignment with CGIAR’s impact pathways and transformative goals for animal and aquatic food systems.

Qualifications and Experience

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in Animal Science, Aquatic Food Systems, Genetics, Agricultural Sciences, or a related field, with a specialization relevant to sustainable animal or aquatic food production.
• Postdoctoral experience or additional certifications in breeding, aquaculture systems, or related technologies, including data analytics and bioinformatics, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in incorporating advanced technologies such as genomics, phenomics, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making into breeding and food production programs.
• Proven track record of designing, implementing, and managing large-scale, interdisciplinary programs across diverse geographies and socio-economic contexts.
• Familiarity with emerging tools and platforms for innovation in animal and aquatic food systems.
• Extensive experience in resource mobilization, partnership development, and financial oversight for complex projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and efficient use of resources.

Languages

• Fluency in English is essential to communicate in writing and speaking.
• Knowledge of a second language is desirable.

Terms of Appointment

• The selected staff member will be offered terms and conditions commensurate with the grade of the position, qualifications and experience.

Reports to:

• CGIAR Chief Scientist.

Role Location:

This position will be based in a duty station to be determined in a location with significant CGIAR operations relevant to the Program.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you click Apply and complete the Application Form by 03 June 2025 (16:00 CEST) . It is essential that you submit your CV in English , specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx) .

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.