Regional Director, Africa

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 Global 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.

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CIMMYT is seeking an accomplished and strategic leader to serve as Regional Director, Africa, a critical senior management role responsible for providing leadership, representation, and oversight of CIMMYT’s integrated portfolio across the region.

Organizational Relationships and Governance

The Regional Director, Africa reports directly to the Director General and works in close coordination with the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief of Staff (CoS), Chief Engagement Officer (CNO), Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) and Chief Science & Innovation Officer (CSO) to ensure a unified, coherent institutional voice across the region. The role provides regional leadership and oversight while fostering strong collaboration across chapters and functions. CIMMYT Country Representatives (CCRs) in the region report to the Regional Director for their CCR function, ensuring alignment of country-level engagement, representation, and implementation with regional and organizational priorities.

The location of this position will be CIMMYT-Nairobi, Kenya.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversight & Compliance

• Oversee regional activities, ensuring application of standards, policies, processes, and regulatory requirements in alignment with HQ.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
• Maintain and promote in coordination with the CSO, CNO and COO the highest standards of excellence in science, engagement, and operations.

Foster Positive Work Environment

• Promote a respectful work environment, ensuring the highest standards of conduct in line with CIMMYT’s values.
• Maintain good working relationships among staff and teams within the countries and regions.

Project Portfolio Development and Promotion

• Support the development of a diversified project portfolio in coordination with the Science and Innovation Chapter and the Engagement Chapter.
• Promote the overall portfolio and the projects at both country and regional levels.
• Enhance visibility of CIMMYT activities and impacts in the region.

Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Work collaboratively with LT colleagues to deliver CIMMYTs 2030 strategy through activities in the region.
• Develop and implement regional strategies and plans in alignment with the organization’s overall goals and oversee the development of aligned country-level strategies & plans.

Strategic Partnership and Resource Mobilization

• Represent CIMMYT and its DG in the region, managing relationships with government ministries and hosting organizations to build and maintain strategic partnerships.
• Develops relations with the regional bodies.
• Interacts and positions CIMMYT vis-à-vis the CGIAR regional structure
• Engage in active networking and effective communication with government ministries, funders, and partners, collaborating with the Science and Innovation Chapter and the Engagement Chapter.
• Lead and foster resource mobilization efforts in close collaboration with the Science and Innovation Chapter and the Engagement Chapter.
• Coordinate activities at both country and regional levels and develop proposals in partnership with scientists and Chapter members.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors and partners to support regional initiatives.

Operational Functions and Issue Resolution

• Oversee the day-to-day administrative functions of the Science, Operations and Engagement Chapters staff members in the region, facilitating functional reporting to corresponding Chapters.
• Supervise CIMMYT Country Representatives (CCRs) in that specific function, providing guidance and support to ensure effective implementation of regional strategies.
• Facilitate the resolution and escalation of issues at the country and regional level in collaboration with the corresponding Chapters.
• Support the development or renewal of Host Country Agreements to enable optimized operations, securing advantageous terms for CIMMYT.

Monitoring and Evaluation

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

Additional Duties

• Perform any additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• 10-15+ distinguished years in a senior management position in a nonprofit organization, foundation, private company, or government agency, with significant scientific leadership and executive management experience.
• PhD in agriculture, natural resources management, development studies, or a related field, with at least 15 years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
• Experience of program, country or regional management.
• A global perspective grounded in international and developing country experience, driven by a deep commitment to elevating living standards in emerging economies.
• A history of achieving exceptional outcomes, earning esteem for a cooperative and inclusive approach, and contributing to a culture of excellence.
• Versatility in managing a multitude of tasks and priorities within a dynamic, fast-paced environment, exemplifying agility, and strategic multitasking.
• Proven expertise in forging and nurturing relationships with a broad spectrum of individuals, across diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
• An innate ability to navigate the intricacies of international diplomacy with finesse, employing tact and discretion as fundamental tools of engagement.
• Strong communication skills, with fluency in English required and additional language proficiency desirable.
• The selected candidate should exhibit the following competencies: Strategic Impact, Operational Efficiency, People Management, Networking and Communication, and Individual Impact.

Benefits

The 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 mustapply onlinefor IRS26124_Regional Director, Africa.

Application deadline isMarch 6th, 2026. 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.

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.