About us:CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today.
It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Integral South, through building strong partnerships.
This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.For more information, visit cimmyt.Org.The Associate Program Director, SAS Discovery Research contributes to the coherence anddesign of projects within the program, reviews implementation of science and guides team andpartnership development in support of implementation of the innovation development agendaof SAS.
The role sets a bold research vision aligned with CIMMYT's Excellence in Science andInnovation objectives advancing systems and scaling science through transdisciplinary teamsthat bridge biological, environmental, economic, policy and social perspectives.
The post holderis a scientific-leader with a strong record in scientific excellence, transdisciplinary project designand implementation, and cross disciplinary team leadership.Purpose: Drive implementation of science projects and contribute to scientific leadership andstrategic direction for the Discovery portfolio oriented toward rigorous, transdisciplinaryresearch that makes agrifood systems more productive, inclusive, climate-resilient, andsustainable within planetary boundaries.1.
Scientific vision: Contribute to defining and overseeing the execution of the SASDiscovery research strategy.
Use country, farmer, market and policy priorities to guideportfolio choices and identify gaps, duplication and opportunities across projects.2.
Systems research and transdisciplinarity: Lead and support research in systems andscaling science, and integrate agronomy, soil and environmental science, climate,economics, social science and nutrition, together with maize, wheat, dryland crops andgenetic innovation programs.3.
New science and technologies: Integrate advances in technology, data science, genderand inclusion research, and real-time feedback monitoring into research design andlearning.4.
Co-creation: Ensure farmers, national agricultural research systems,



universities and theprivate sector help shape research questions, trials and tools, using participatory anddesign-thinking approaches.5.
Scientific quality and compliance: Drive excellence in science ensuring compliance withstandards for research design, implementation, and dissemination of outputs.
Ensureappropriate peer review, research ethics, data integrity, reproducibility and responsibleopen science.6.
Project lifecycle management: Lead, coordinate and contribute to development ofcompetitive proposals including scientific donor engagement.
Oversee project execution,contributing to oversight of donor reporting and sound fiscal management.
Support theSAS Director in program-wide planning, budgeting and compliance.
Monitor portfoliocommitments, staff capacity and budget performance with project leaders, ProgramManagers and Finance; recommend corrective action and identify funding and costrecoverygaps.7.
Talent: Contribute to the recruitment, development and mentoring of transdisciplinaryteams, building a high-performance culture that supports scientific excellence, scientificequity and professional growth.
Set clear objectives and provide performance feedbackfor direct reports; develop succession plans and future scientific leaders.8.
Partnerships and influence: Build collaborations with national agricultural researchsystems, universities, the private sector and international centers.
Represent CIMMYT'sresearch at international forums and promote its scientific outputs.9.
Interface with CIMMYT Systems Development Actions: Co-manage the handover ofvalidated innovations to the Systems Development and Scaling APD, agreeing readinesscriteria and feedback loops.Key outputs: An annual Discovery workplan and budget; a research portfolio withmilestones and indicators; peer-reviewed publications and open datasets; funded proposals;Donor reports; a pipeline of innovations rated for scaling readiness.
Readiness reviews willconsider evidence quality, farmer demand, inclusion,



affordability and delivery feasibility; Research engagement willcontinue during adaptation and scaling.RequirementsPhD in crop science, agronomy, soil science, agroecology, environmental or climatescience, agricultural or development economics, sustainable development or a relatedfield.
- At least 10 years of distinguished research leadership in an international researchorganization, academia or industry, including leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Proven interdisciplinary science leadership bridging biological, environmental, economic,policy and systems perspectives.
A strong record of peer-reviewed publications andscientific contributions relevant to sustainable agrifood systems, together with evidenceof developing scientific talent.
- Demonstrated success in securing funding and managing large research budgets andmulti-partner projects.
- Strong international and developing-country experience, with a commitment to foodsecurity through systems approaches.
- Expertise in managing research within international legal frameworks and intellectualproperty agreements.
- Exceptional relationship-management, communication and advocacy skills; a resultsdriven,agile, collaborative and humble leadership style.The position will be based at a CIMMYT office in Latin America, Asia or Africa.BenefitsThe position is for an initial fixed-term for three (3) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds.
CIMMYT's internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children's education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.Candidates must apply online.
Applications must include a CV with contact details (telephone and email address) of 3 work-related references along with the confirmation that Recruitment can contact them) and a cover letter.
Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.Internal applications could be considered in line with internal eligibility guidance, please contact HR for more information.This position will remain open until filled.CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer.
It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.
Women are encouraged to apply.

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