Director of Climate Action

About The Alliance

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform
food systems to improve people’s lives in a climate crisis. Climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and malnutrition.

These four interconnected global crises have put at stake the wellbeing of our planet for years.
Fueled by COVID-19, their impact on agriculture, landscapes, biodiversity, and humans is now
stronger than ever. Reversing this negative trend is a challenge, but also an opportunity for bold choices and integrated solutions.

Established in 2019, The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) was created to address these four crises, maximizing impact for change at key points in the food system.

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is a CGIAR Research Centre. CGIAR is a global
research partnership for a food-secure future.

For more information, visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org

Role Purpose
The selected candidate will lead the Climate Action Lever at The Alliance of Bioversity International
and CIAT, one of six research areas focused on delivering science-based innovations for sustainable
food systems. The Alliance promotes collaboration among these areas to implement systems-based
approaches, aiming to harness agricultural biodiversity.

The Climate Action Lever contributes to reducing climate risk by addressing food security, economic
resilience, conflict, fragility, and other human insecurities through research on climate change
adaptation and mitigation. Our work focus on (Climate Security and migration, Climate Services for
Agriculture, achieving net zero and Climate readiness) and we generate outcomes through four key
research areas: Research evidence, data science, and digital innovations; Finance and investments;
Policies and institutions; Gender and social inclusion.

The Director of Climate Action will provide strategic and scientific leadership under the guidance of
the Associate Director General for Research Strategy and Innovation. The selected individual will
oversee the work of the research teams within this Lever, collaborate with researchers from other
areas of the organization, and pursue partnerships with other scientists in the CGIAR working on
climate change-related issues. The Director of Climate Action will guide related partnership and
initiative development and engage in resource mobilization to maintain a vibrant and robust
research-for-impact portfolio. The Director will contribute to collaborative efforts across the
organization to develop a unified, well-managed, agile, and ambitious research agenda that is
positioned to deliver on our mission.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Research Strategy and Implementation

• Maintain and strength a coherent portfolio of research efforts on climate action that deliver
  science-based outputs that support impact outcomes on climate change mitigation and
  adaptation.
• Support strategic evolution of the research agenda.
• Support implementation of the Climate Action research portfolio that includes topics such as net-zero development, climate security, climate services, and climate readiness.
• Guide the formulation of action plans in alignment with The Alliance’s Research and Innovation
  Strategy and provide input to the development of regional strategies and roadmaps.
• Ensure delivery on activities related to the portfolio of the Climate Action Lever in accordance
  with the plans of the projects; provide oversight of the portfolio and project pipeline; encourage
  experimentation and innovation; and facilitate coherence and evolution of the agenda in line
  with The Alliance’s Research and Innovation Strategy.
• Engage and support the development of research innovation networks within and outside the
  CGIAR to foster collaborative efforts for research, innovation and impact.
• Ensure report of the contributions of the Climate Action Lever team to the institutional and
  research strategic objectives, following the monitoring and reporting guidelines set up by the
  organization for this purpose.
• Cultivate leadership within the team by delegating responsibilities to its leaders, connecting
  them to new research initiatives, and fostering their exposure in national, regional, and
  international forums.

Research Partnerships

• Serve as a spokesperson/thought-leader for Climate Action, and represent in national, regional,
  and international fora when required.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for strategic partnerships/collaboration,
  research/innovation, and funding, within the Climate Action team and with other research areas of The Alliance that contribute with relevant activities to climate change-related efforts.
• Lead and/or participate in Climate Action resource mobilization efforts, coordinating funder
  engagements with the ADG and Partnerships office, and the support of The Alliance’s Regional
  Directors, as required.

Management and Organizational Integration

• Support the collaboration across teams of Climate Action and the rest of the organization working in the domain of climate action to:
• Foster synergies and complementarities.
• Promote novel research for impact ideas.
• Facilitate cross-learning.

Oversee responsible resource management of the Climate Action portfolio

• Guide the development of annual workplans and budgets and oversee their execution.
• Promote and support talent planning, development, and management.

Profile
Education and Experience

• Ph.D degree in environmental science, geography, biophysical sciences, economics, or another
  relevant subject.
• Proven track record as a research leader, manager, and resource mobilization in the field of
  climate action.

Key Competencies

• Deep knowledge of the research-for-development landscape globally and the roles of key
  players.
• Recognized as a lead scientist in climate change-related topics.
• Demonstrated ability to serve in a leadership role in building a unified and strong culture for
  innovation in a dynamic, integrated, and changing environment.
• Record of success in mobilizing resources.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; experience of working collaboratively
  with people at all levels in a decentralized, respectful, multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary
  organization, and with external stakeholders and partners.
• Proven ability to integrate and inspire high-performing multidisciplinary teams and manage
  talent, with the strong commitment to promote diversity, knowledge sharing, and staff
  development.
• Ability to effectively build and communicate a common vision among diverse internal and
  external stakeholders.
• Excellent communicator and effective public speaker.
• Consistent record of upholding the highest ethical standards by inspiring trust and treat all
  people with respect and personal integrity.

Language(s)
Excellent English competency, both in writing and speaking

Terms of Appointment
It’s a 2-year contract, with extensive travel comprising over 60% of the role due to its global nature.

Role Location
The position is based in Nairobi or Cali.

How to Apply & Key Steps in the Process

SRI Executive is exclusively retained by The Alliance to undertake this assignment. If you wish to be considered for this position, please forward a copy of your CV in Microsoft Word format, along with any relevant documentation, as soon as possible and no later than 18 October 2024 to TheAlliance-DCA@sri-executive.com.

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we will revert to you as soon as possible.

During the recruitment process, should you demonstrate sufficient relevant experience, SRI Executive will require your cooperation in completing a Competency Profile. You will also be required to participate in several telephone or Microsoft Teams screening discussions with the SRI Executive team to ensure there is a clear understanding of the Terms of Reference and to ascertain if there is the appropriate “fit” (technical and behavioural) for you and The Alliance.

Based on the screening discussions, SRI Executive will provide a shortlist of recommended candidates to The Alliance for further review. Suitable candidates to take forward for first-round interview will then be selected by the hiring committee. SRI Executive will contact suitable candidates and arrange interviews. In addition to the two video conference meetings, shortlisted candidates will complete an assessment, and the final candidate will participate in an in-person interview, having the opportunity to meet the team.

First-round interviews will be conducted by video-conference. Based on the outcome of first
round interview, successful candidates will be invited to participate in a second-round video-conference.

Please be aware that this appointment will require that you provide us with contact information
of three people who are willing to act as a referee, including former direct reports. We will not
contact these individuals without your expressed permission.

After you meet with The Alliance, we will advise you of their decision and provide feedback. At
the selection stage, should you be the preferred final candidate, our client will likely extend to
you a letter of intention to offer and that the offer will be subject to a reference from your
current employer.

* Please note that this process may be subject to some change*.