Director General

The Center for International Forestry Research advances human wellbeing, environmental conservation and equity by conducting research to inform policies and practices that affect forests in developing countries. We are one of 15 Centers within the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the Lead Center of the CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (CRP6). Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, and we have offices in Asia, Africa and South America.

Not many research centres have a global engagement with a broad range of forest-related issues, stress the perspectives of poor countries and communities, combine policy and research, question conventional wisdom, and constantly focus on how to have an impact. CIFOR is one of those few.

CIFOR is looking for a Director General who shares our passion for enhancing the role of forests in human well-being and environmental conservation, and our commitment to professionalism, innovation, impact, and collaboration.

Principal Accountabilities

The Director General is the Chief Executive Officer of the Center and is responsible to the Board of Trustees for the overall scientific leadership, operation and management of CIFOR. The Director General will ensure that programmes and objectives are properly developed to fulfill the mission of the Center. For at least the next two years, the Director General will also ensure the effectiveness and integrity of the Center's leadership of the CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (CRP6).

The Director General will report to the Board of Trustees through the Chair.

The Director General will lead a senior management team consisting of a Deputy Director General, a Director of the CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (CRP6), three Research Programme Directors, a Director of Communications and Information Services, a Director of Finance and Administration, and a Director of Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Overall leadership and management:
  • Provide vision and insight to the planning and direction of the Center's research programmes and associated impact pathways
  • Position the Center appropriately in various collaborative partnerships with other organisations, including member Centers of the CGIAR, members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and other international, regional and national organisations
  • Develop, in collaboration with the management team, strategic and operational plans for the functioning of the Center and keep these plans under ongoing review
  • Supervise the planning and direction of the Center's research programmes and other activities to ensure effective programming and project implementation, analysis and evaluation of on-going programmes
  • Ensure that an impact culture exists at CIFOR supported by a rigorous assessment and project evaluation systems
  • Lead and actively oversee the Center's human resources strategy and its application through high quality management practices, and the recruitment and retention of highly qualified and appropriately experienced staff
  • Ensure that the management team is effective
  • Oversee the development of programme and budget submissions for approval by the Board and endorsement by outside stakeholders as appropriate
  • Ensure that the Center's Annual Report is prepared
  • Inform the Chairperson of the Board about matters of consequence that relate to the Center and its mandate
  • Exemplify the institutional values (highest scientific and professional standards, openness, and fairness) through visible leadership behaviors
• Resource development:
  • Develop the overall funding strategies for the Center and coordinate implementation
  • Serve as the primary CIFOR fundraiser through the identification of strategic opportunities, priorities and the leveraging of networks
  • Develop and maintain a donor relations strategy
• External relations:
  • Ensure functional and effective relations with CIFOR's host countries
  • Ensure CIFOR has a high profile at key international events related to forests
  • Actively participate in CGIAR activities
  • Ensure web presence and media profile cultivated to encourage impact by influencing policy makers and to support resource mobilisation efforts
• Science:
  • Maintain standing as a global leader in one scientific area through high profile/impact publications and presentations at high level global events
• Fiduciary:
  • Ensure compliance with relevant international standards in financial reporting, governance, intellectual property
  • Ensure that the delegation of authority supports clear accountability
  • Ensure that annual operational expenditures occur within the overall framework of the Center's Board-approved Programme of Work and Budget
  • Ensure that processes are in place to identify and manage actively risks, including preparation of an annual risk assessment that is reported to the Board
• Board of Trustees:
  • Participate fully in Board meetings as a non-voting member
  • Ensure that the Board is supported in its role through an effective Secretariat
  • Implement the policies, guidelines and directions determined by the Board

Authority

The Director General is the legal representative of CIFOR and is authorised by the Board to sign all deeds, contracts, agreements, and other legal documents which are necessary to ensure the normal operation of the Center.  Specific Board approval is required of the following:

• CIFOR-wide and programme strategic plans
• Medium Term Plan updates
• Annual Programme of Work and Budget
• Personnel Policies Manual
• Changes in main Center office locations and the associated agreements (Headquarters, Regional Offices)
• Adjustments to legal structure including formal association with another legal entity (e.g. joint venture)
• DG compensation including periodic adjustments
• Annual risk assessment
• Annual Center reports
• Annual financial statements
• Appointment of external auditor

Requirements

Education, knowledge and experience

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field with relevant experience in all aspects of the position
• International reputation for leadership in science, research and development
• Recognition within the global research community and the various international processes related to forests
• Proven record of successfully leading and managing multidisciplinary policy relevant research in developing countries, including complex international partnerships
• Demonstrated proficiency in resource mobilisation, management of people and resources, and communication with scientific and policy communities
• Fluency in written and spoken English and one or more other languages related to CIFOR's mandate
• A good working knowledge and understanding of the CGIAR is desirable

Personal attributes and competencies

• Commitment to the CIFOR vision of improving the livelihoods of people in developing countries who depend upon forests and contributing to the long-term maintenance or improvement of the ecosystem services forests provide
• Ability to translate the CIFOR vision into clear strategies for impact
• Excellent leadership and management skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and public speaking communication skills, with the ability to interact constructively with people across different cultures, disciplines, and institutions
• Proven diplomatic, negotiation and influencing skills
• Proven experience and skills in change management
• Reputation for personal integrity
• Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning, and is committed to mentoring and staff development

Terms and conditions

• The Director General will be based in Bogor, Indonesia. Bogor is located on the outskirts of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. It is a university town with many scientific research centres.
• The initial employment will be for five years with the possibility of extension, with an anticipated start date in mid-2012.
• CIFOR offers attractive and internationally competitive remuneration, commensurate with skills and experience. The benefits include employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance, and retirement plan. Allowances for relocation, housing, vehicle, family visit travel, and children's education are also provided.

Application process

• Interested applicants are invited to submit their curriculum vitae and a letter of interest, including contact information for three referees, to: CIFOR-ExecutiveSearch@cgiar.org.
• The application deadline is 29 February, 2012. We look forward to hearing from you.

CIFOR is an equal opportunity employer.
Staff diversity contributes to excellence.