CIMMYT – REGIONAL DIRECTOR, AFRICA Consultancy

ABOUT CIMMYT

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an international, non-profit research organization working to strengthen maize and wheat-based agrifood systems and advance research and innovation across other vital cereals, including triticale, sorghum, and millets.

Through applied science and strong partnerships, CIMMYT improves the livelihoods and resilience of millions of resource-constrained farmers while contributing to more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems within planetary boundaries.

Its globally respected scientific reputation, international partner network, and standing within CGIAR give its regional leaders credibility from the outset.

THE OPPORTUNITY

CIMMYT is seeking its next Regional Director, Africa, a senior leader who will represent the organization and its Director General across the continent, shape a coherent and growing regional portfolio, and build the empowered regional platform at the heart of CIMMYT’s decentralization agenda.

Africa is central to CIMMYT’s future. Across the continent, agrifood systems face growing pressure from climate change, changing funding priorities, and the urgent need to strengthen food security, resilience, and economic opportunity for rural communities. CIMMYT’s 2030 Strategy, Science and Innovation for a Food and Nutrition Secure World, commits the organization to advancing the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers through science, innovation, and partnership. Nowhere is that commitment more consequential than in Africa.

At its core, this is an opportunity to build what comes next for CIMMYT in Africa.

As CIMMYT moves toward stronger, empowered regions, the next Regional Director will help turn that ambition into practice. They will define and strengthen the regional platform, bring authority and support closer to the work, and shape how regional leadership operates across CIMMYT for years to come.

For the right leader, this is a rare opportunity to help define CIMMYT’s future across a continent critical to its continued relevance.

THE LEADERSHIP MANDATE

The Regional Director will be CIMMYT’s senior voice across Africa, trusted to represent the organization and its Director General with governments, funders, partners, and regional institutions. This leader will connect people, science, and opportunity across the continent, turning CIMMYT’s strengths into stronger partnerships, a growing portfolio, and results that improve lives. Above all, they will help define what CIMMYT can become in Africa.

Earn trust inside the organization while opening new doors beyond it.

WHERE THE ROLE SITS

The Regional Director reports directly to the Director General and works closely with CIMMYT’s senior leadership to align regional and global priorities.

CIMMYT Country Representatives across Africa report to the Regional Director for their representative responsibilities, while regional staff maintain their functional relationships with the relevant organizational chapters.

The position will be based at one of CIMMYT’s offices in Africa and will involve substantial travel across the continent, together with periodic travel to headquarters in Mexico.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

REGIONAL VISION AND STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• Lead the development of a clear regional vision for CIMMYT in Africa, aligned with the 2030 strategy and the needs of countries, regional bodies, donors, and partners.
• Drive strategic alignment across leadership team colleagues and chapters, and oversee the development of aligned country-level strategies and plans.
• Bring regional intelligence and priorities into CIMMYT’s global decision-making.

PORTFOLIO LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH

• Lead the development of a coherent, diversified, high-impact regional portfolio in coordination with the Science and Innovation and Engagement chapters, moving beyond a project-by-project approach.
• Shape major regional initiatives and proposals in partnership with scientists and chapter members, positioning CIMMYT to respond to Africa’s defining agrifood challenges.
• Enhance the visibility of CIMMYT’s activities and impact at country and regional levels.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

• Represent CIMMYT and its Director General in the region, building and maintaining strategic relationships with government ministries and hosting organizations.
• Develop relationships with regional bodies and position CIMMYT within the CGIAR regional structure.
• Lead and foster resource mobilization in close collaboration with the Science and Innovation and Engagement chapters, cultivating donors, funders, and new partner types to grow and diversify the funding base.
• Build and maintain strong donor and partner relationships in support of regional initiatives.

PEOPLE, CULTURE, AND COLLABORATION

• Promote a respectful work environment and the highest standards of conduct, in line with CIMMYT’s values.
• Maintain strong working relationships among staff and teams across countries and the region, supporting cohesion and morale through a period of organizational change.

REGIONAL OPERATIONS, OVERSIGHT, AND COMPLIANCE

• Oversee regional activities, ensuring the application of standards, policies, processes, and regulatory requirements in alignment with headquarters.
• Oversee the day-to-day administrative functions of Science, Operations, and Engagement chapter staff in the region, facilitating functional reporting to the corresponding chapters.
• Supervise Country Representatives in their representative function, guiding effective implementation of regional strategies.
• Facilitate the resolution and escalation of issues at country and regional level, and support the development or renewal of Host Country Agreements on advantageous terms.
• Maintain and promote, in coordination with the CSO, CNO, and COO, the highest standards of excellence in science, engagement, and operations.

MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND REPORTING

• Monitor and evaluate country and regional performance, providing regular reports to the Director General and other relevant stakeholders.

THE PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Somewhere across Africa is a leader who has been preparing for this role throughout their career.

Their value goes beyond credentials. They read a room, build trust across cultures, influence without relying on authority, and navigate complexity with judgment and diplomacy. They are equally credible with ministers, scientists, donors, private sector leaders, and farming communities.

They understand Africa in its diversity and can connect science, policy, partnerships, and action. They know how to open doors, strengthen alliances, and turn strategy into progress across countries and institutions.

Above all, they believe that food security is fundamental to Africa’s future, and that stronger agricultural systems, including the economic independence of rural women, can transform communities and nations.

If this conviction reflects your own, this may be the role your career has been preparing you for.

EXPERIENCE AND TRACK RECORD: ESSENTIAL

• Deep Africa regional credibility, with multicultural fluency across the continent’s stakeholder landscape and local contexts.
• Fifteen or more years of progressively senior leadership in agriculture, food security, or international development, with substantial experience working across Africa and genuine exposure to the continent’s diversity.
• Leadership of large, complex, multi-country programs or portfolios.
• A demonstrated record of partnership development and resource mobilization: significant funding secured, coalitions built, and donors and governments engaged at senior level.
• Senior external representation experience with ministers, government agencies, donors, and international or intergovernmental institutions.
• Proven ability to lead through influence within complex, matrixed international organizations.
• Credible scientific and agrifood-systems literacy: able to represent research-based work convincingly and translate it into policy, partnerships, and measurable outcomes; experience having grown beyond a purely technical role into broader institutional leadership.

PERSONAL QUALITIES: ESSENTIAL

• High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, authenticity, and patience, with sound political and cultural judgment across diverse settings; composure under pressure and the decisiveness to give stakeholders confidence; collaborative instincts matched with gravitas, earning followership inside the organization while representing it externally at the highest levels; and the energy for a multi-year build through a period of organizational transformation.

STRONG PREFERENCES AND DESIRABLES

• A demonstrated ability to build new, high-quality relationships and to open new funding and partnership channels across the continent.
• An advanced degree in agriculture, agrifood systems, or a related field; exposure to private capital or blended finance; experience in organizations undergoing decentralization.
• Fluency in English required; additional language proficiency desirable.

CIMMYT is committed to strengthening balance in its senior leadership. Women leaders and candidates from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to express interest.

HOW WE RUN THIS SEARCH

This is a global search executed from inside the region. HRIC Executive Search works across Latin America, London, and Nairobi, running senior leadership mandates for foundations, development banks, and mission-driven institutions where the standard of leadership is the whole point. Our Africa practice operates on the ground, not from a distance.

The best leader for CIMMYT in Africa may not be looking, and will only be reached by people who know how to find them. We welcome applications and confidential referrals from leaders whose experience and aspirations align with this mandate.

HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST

This is a deliberately thorough search. The process will unfold over the coming months through structured conversations, leadership assessment, and comprehensive referencing. Shortlisted candidates may also be invited to CIMMYT’s headquarters in Mexico for final conversations.

All expressions of interest will be treated with the utmost discretion. Given the expected level of interest, HRIC will contact directly those candidates whose experience most closely aligns with the requirements of the role.

To discuss this opportunity in confidence or to submit an application, please contact:

Felicity Kinoti | [email protected]

Global Partner, HRIC Executive Search, Nairobi, Kenya

Applications from qualified women leaders are warmly encouraged.

Leadership Changes Everything.

Benefit from a competitive international remuneration package, including housing support, health and life insurance, educational assistance for dependent children, annual home travel, retirement benefits, relocation support, and other expatriate benefits in accordance with CIMMYT policies.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We value diversity in all its forms and encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Fluency in English required; additional language proficiency desirable.