Advance Operational Support Services and Make a Global Impact on Agriculture and Improving Livelihoods

CTI Executive Search has been retained by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT) to identify experienced candidates for the position of Deputy Director General (DDG) Corporate Services & Operations, based at CIMMYT headquarters (Texcoco, Mexico).

CIMMYT is a not-for-profit research organization, one of the largest centers of the CGIAR Partnership  (15 centers globally working in Agricultural Research for Development), working on two of the world’s most important field crops with partners in over 100 countries. As staple foods, maize and wheat provide vital nutrition and health benefits for millions of people in low-and-middle income countries. CIMMYT tackles food insecurity through improved nutrient-rich, risk-mitigating, high-yielding varieties; sustainable agricultural practices; and innovative options to improve the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers. The 3 pillars of the organization are excellence in science, impact through partnerships and capacity building. The U.N. projects that the global population will increase to more than 9 billion people by 2050, which means that the successes and failures of wheat and maize farmers will continue to have a crucial impact on food security globally.

We are seeking a Deputy Director General (DDG) who, as a member of the senior management team, will provide strategic leadership for CIMMYT’s operations and support services. Reporting to the Director General, the DDG Corporate Services & Operations will have both internal and external facing responsibilities, ranging from Project Management and Support Services to infrastructure -- including Facilities, IT, Communications, and Legal -- as well as maintaining external relationships with governments.

The Deputy Director will partner closely with the Director General to chart CIMMYT’s future growth and strategic response to an ever-increasing demand for operations involvement in growth areas. She or he will manage the staff of support services at CIMMYT Headquarters and oversee the integration of center-wide support service functions within all CIMMYT Regional Offices. In addition, the DDG will take on a critical role in other administrative aspects of CIMMYT operations such as Finance and IT, where the DDG will take on a senior advisory and leadership role for Finance and IT on matters of strategic importance.

Working closely with the Director General, the DDG-Services & Operations will coordinate, plan, monitor, evaluate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures to ensure that CIMMYT operations all over the globe are run as efficient, cost-effective, and productive sites -- enabling all CIMMYT employees to work at their best towards the achievement of the center’s mission.

Responsibilities Include:

• Advise the Director General on policies relating to CIMMYT support services and facilities globally, as well as on strategic finance and IT issues;
• Structure and lead teams across all areas where services support CIMMYT operations, with the exception of Human Resources, to deliver outstanding results;
• As a member of the Management Committee, assist the Director General in the overall management of the Center and act on his or her behalf as needed;
• Act as a strategic partner to both Finance and IT, both of which report into this role, to ensure the stability and viability of the Center through proper planning and management of these key functions;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with all governments for CIMMYT global operations, including the government of Mexico, allowing for the smooth operation of CIMMYT headquarters;
• Represent CIMMYT and the Director General in international conferences, CGIAR affairs, and other venues where requested;
• Act as a strategic partner to Legal, which reports into this role, ensuring that all institutional activities continue to be managed in a legal and ethical manner;
• Ensure that all CIMMYT infrastructure and facilities across the globe are maintained and operated safely and effectively;
• Assist team with developing CIMMYT thought leadership around specific topics/emerging practice areas in each support service function, while continuing to foster a personal area of in-depth expertise;
• Share in knowledge dissemination, reporting, and both internal/external communications across CIMMYT globally where it relates to support services and operational matters;
• Partner with the Director General in essential internal leadership activities (such as human resources, administration, and organizational planning);
• Identify best practices and improve internal support systems with an eye toward future needs and budget realities;
• Mentor and coach team members using a visible and approachable style while being a sounding board and resource for senior leadership.

The successful candidate will demonstrate or possess:

• A track record delivering superior results and commanding respect in previous organizations via a collaborative working style;
• Previous success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities in a fast-track organization;
• The proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor;
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people – junior and senior, from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and of many disciplines;
• The confidence to defend/debate ideas without ego interference;
• Outstanding communication skills (written, oral, presentation) and interpersonal skills;
• A passion for both the CIMMYT and CGIAR missions and impact;
• An ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in the setting of an international organization;
• A transparent communication style, direct, with substance and without hidden agendas;
• The ability to remain focused in the face of pressure – able to deliver against timelines. She or he is not intimidated by tasks/time limitations.

Experience & Educational Requirements:

• 10-15+ distinguished years in senior management roles in a nonprofit organization, foundation, or government agency
• Strengths in IT and Finance strategy; able to integrate processes or data streams that support decision making
• An advanced/MBA degree from a leading university and/or agriculture background with equivalent business experience
• International and developing country experience with a previous focus on improving livelihoods in third world countries

Equal opportunity employer. CIMMYT welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation or genetic information.

If you are interested in this role or can provide suggested contacts for CTI on this search, please contact us in confidence with a CV and letter of interest:

Dave Jensen, CEO and Founder
(928) 274-2266 Cell
davejensen@careertrax.com
Skype: daveproactive

Ryan Raver, PhD, Managing Director
 (734) 658-3420 Cell
ryanraver@careertrax.com
Skype: ryan.raver