The International Potato Center (CIP) is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Director of Operations to lead the strategy to modernize all operations areas aligned to CIP2030 Strategy.

About CIP: CIP, a member of the One CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. One CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis, and it is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.

CIP works with partners in over 20 countries to improve diets and incomes of poor people in Africa, Asia and Latin America through scientific research, innovation, and capacity strengthening. Focusing on potato and sweetpotato as food systems entry point, CIP’s programs seek to strengthen broader agri-food systems to generate economic, social and nutritional benefits for farmers, enterprises and consumers emphasizing the priorities of women and youth in particular. CIP emphasizes the synergies between social and bio-physical sciences as a core strategy for making breakthroughs in our understanding of complex development challenges in food and agriculture and for our ability to overcome these. Within this pluralistic strategy, qualitative social science has a central, and increasing place for explaining human and institutional behavior and assessing benefits and risks for human development. 

The position: The selected candidate will lead the development and implementation of strategies, plans and mechanisms to strengthen and modernize all operations areas at CIP in support of the CIP2030 Strategy.  The Director of Operations will thus enable sustainable organizational growth, generate value-for-money for our funders and stakeholders, safeguard organizational values and staff wellbeing, and support consistently high levels of operational excellence.

The successful candidate will report to the Director General and will be based in Lima, Peru.

 Key Responsibilities:

• Develop strategic operational planning through internal and external analyses of opportunities and constraints and by developing integrated operations solutions for CIP’s strategic goals.
  
• Establish and oversee effective and innovative operational processes across the organization to deliver value-for-money and promote CIP’s strategic goals in all regions and fields of operation.
  
• Oversee the operations departments (Finance, Grants & Legal Services and Administration) by setting organizational goals, targets, policies, and guide team leaders in these areas. Support the Director General in overseeing the daily operations of the People & Culture department.
  
• Lead the development of strategic investment and business plans for CIP to capture future demand and enable and support excellence in science and innovation and equitable partnerships for impact. 
  
• Procure, develop, and mentor outstanding talent to fill key operations leadership roles and provide strategic advice to the Director General on the continued adaptation and renewal of operations competencies and capacities.
  
• Direct and oversee CIP’s engagement with CGIAR Business Units and with other Centers, identifying areas of synergies and opportunities for shared services, while promoting CIP’s strategic goals.
  
• Prepare and present reports on Operations to the CIP Board of Trustees and other forums within CGIAR or with funders.
  
• Comply with CIP’s Health & Safety policy at regional level and ensure compliance at country level.
  

Requirements

What are we looking for?

• Master’s degree in business administration, Finance or Accounting.
  
• At least 15 years of professional experience in a senior operations role in a global research or development organization or business enterprise operating in multiple countries.
  
• Sound understanding of all relevant operations areas and experience of integrated planning and delivery of operations support for organizational growth.
  
• Solid experience of financial management and metrics-based management accountability using up-to-date internationally recognized financial reporting and accounting standards.
  
• Hands-on experience leading and developing teams of operations experts across multiple countries and areas of practice.
  
• Strong experience of overseeing the development and adaptive implementation of institutional investment plans.
  
• Practical experience and up-to-date understanding of international standards of ethics and business conduct.
  
• Leadership competencies:
  

• Managing Change
  
• Setting vision and strategy
  
• Inspiring trust and passion in CIP’s mission.
  
• Value honestly, integrity and diversity
  
• Building and maintaining partnerships and relationships.
  
• Selecting, Coaching and appraising staff.
  
• Influencing and resolving differences across boundaries
  
• Planning and managing staff to achieve quality results.
  
• Creating and environment for leading & knowledge sharing.
  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
  
• Good working proficiency of Spanish is highly desirable.
  

Benefits

What are we offering?

•         Exciting career opportunity in an international organization.

•         3-year contract with possibility of renewal.  

•         Internationally competitive salary, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. Internationally competitive pension and health plans