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Director, Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program

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Reports to: CGIAR Chief Scientist

Location: This position will be based in a duty station to be determined in a location with significant CGIAR operations relevant to the Program. Montpellier, shown above, is a default system setting and not the confirmed duty station.

Grade: SO8 / CG13 (Equivalent to UN D1)

Date Published: 24 March 2025

Closing Date for Applications: 15 April 2025 at 16:00 CEST.

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.

About the position

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 Integrated Partnership 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 Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program aims to co-identify, co-design, and co-implement interventions that harmonize environmental sustainability with human development goals and help develop biodiverse, productive, resilient, and low-emissions land- and aquascapes. By leveraging agroecological, regenerative, and nature-positive solutions, the program aims to create biodiverse and resilient landscapes that balance ecological restoration with sustainable development. Collaborative engagement with communities, governments, and private sector partners ensures equitable and impactful strategies.

The Director, Multifunctional Landscapes 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

Designs and implements research and evidence-based strategies to address critical global challenges such as land degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change, and socio-economic inequities ensuring they are responsive to diverse stakeholder needs and aligned with the CGIAR’s mission.
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.
Oversees Program execution, aligning activities with CGIAR’s overarching vision, mission, and 2030 outcomes, including developing and managing work plans and budgets for Program, and fostering alignment of relevant of other bilaterally funded projects and programs with the Program’s high-level outcomes and theory of change.
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.
Actively participates in CGIAR’s Global Science Team, driving coordinated science and innovation leadership across the Portfolio to achieve collective impact.
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.
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.
Drives research for integrated landscape management by building strategic partnerships with global and regional stakeholders, including research institutions, policymakers, private sector actors, development agencies, and community organizations.
Directs the delivery, quality of science, and prioritization of activities and outputs, and assumes overall accountability for the use of such funds for their intended purpose under the Program.
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.
Assigns and provides functional oversight of Area of Work Leads and Co-Leads and Program Management Unit staff in Centers.
Consolidates that program outputs are scientifically rigorous, actionable, and scalable, effectively bridging the gap between innovative research and its application in landscape-level solutions.
Defines the integration of science-based practices into sustainable landscape management, enhancing biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience.
Expands continuous improvement by implementing advanced monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks, ensuring alignment with CGIAR’s impact pathways, driving equitable and transformative change.

Education and Experience

Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Development, or a related field, with a specialization in integrated landscape management or multifunctional landscapes.
Postdoctoral experience or additional certifications in landscape ecology, agroecology, or participatory governance frameworks are highly desirable.
Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing science-based strategies for sustainable landscape management, including nature-based solutions, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration.
Proven track record of leading large-scale, interdisciplinary programs addressing landscape-scale challenges such as land degradation, climate adaptation, and socio-economic equity across diverse geographies.
Familiarity with innovative tools and methodologies, such as spatial analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), and decision-support systems, to inform landscape-level interventions and policy frameworks.
Extensive experience in resource mobilization, building strategic partnerships, and overseeing financial and operational management of multi-stakeholder programs, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and maximizing impact.

Key Competences

Strategic alignment of Program goals with CGIAR’s organizational strategies and global priorities, ensuring that landscape-level solutions contribute to the transformation of food, land, and water systems.
Strong strategic and adaptive thinking, with pragmatism required to design integrated and evidence-based solutions that address complex challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate adaptation, and socio-economic inequities.
Systems thinking to understand interconnected landscape-scale challenges to co-create and scale impactful and sustainable solutions.
Effective communication with diverse stakeholders, including research partners, donors, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders, to articulate a compelling vision and drive engagement.
Fostering collaboration and consensus, navigating diverse perspectives and influencing decision-making across multidisciplinary teams and multi-stakeholder networks to achieve shared objectives.
Exceptional leadership skills with a proven ability to inspire and integrate multidisciplinary teams and manage talent, while promoting knowledge sharing, staff development and diversity.
Adherence to the highest ethical standards, fostering trust and treating all people with respect.

Languages

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

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

Submitting Your Application

If you face challenges in submitting your application, please email recruitment@cgiar.org with the position title in the subject line.

Please note that shortlisted candidates will be contacted by our partner, SRI Executive.

What You Should Know About Director, Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program, CGIAR

If you're passionate about leading transformative initiatives in the realm of environmental sustainability, we have an incredible opportunity for you! As the Director of the Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program at CGIAR, you'll be at the forefront of innovative research aimed at addressing pressing global challenges. This role involves working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, from local communities to global partners, ensuring that your efforts harmonize ecological sustainability with human development. You’ll lead the charge in designing and implementing evidence-based strategies to tackle issues such as biodiversity loss, land degradation, and climate change. Think of it as an adventure where your leadership will guide interdisciplinary teams across multiple CGIAR Centers, making a real impact on food security and natural resource management. You’ll be tasked with overseeing the execution of the program, managing budgets, and ensuring that activities align with CGIAR's overarching goals. You’ll also have the chance to engage with national and regional governments, private sector players, and NGOs, creating pathways for community-driven solutions. You’ll bring your expertise to the table, leveraging advanced tools and a rich understanding of sustainable practices. With a PhD in a relevant field and experience in leading large-scale programs, you're ready to make a difference. In this exciting position, you'll not only drive significant outcomes but also inspire and cultivate talent in an environment that fosters innovation. If you're ready to help shape resilient landscapes and contribute to a more equitable food system, we want to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Director, Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program Role at CGIAR

What are the primary responsibilities of the Director, Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program at CGIAR?

The Director, Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program at CGIAR is responsible for providing scientific and strategic leadership, overseeing program execution, aligning activities with CGIAR’s mission, and guiding engagement with a broad range of stakeholders. This includes designing evidence-based strategies for tackling global challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change.