Job Detail

Job Description

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) offers an exciting opportunity to lead a significant program of research on the sustainable development of the livestock sector in low- and middle-income countries. The program currently works across countries in East and Southern Africa, West Africa and to some extent in Asia. The successful candidate will be at the forefront of research in this area and have the opportunity to influence livestock policy and practice across the global south.

They will provide outstanding leadership and management of a multi-disciplinary program of research focused on ensuring that livestock systems in low- and middle-income countries contribute to the development of sustainable food systems.  The portfolio of research includes:

• Developing solutions for mitigation of the impacts of livestock on climate change and adaption of livestock systems to climate change and shocks
• Identification, development and testing of strategies and digital innovations for the sustainable intensification of livestock and mixed crop-livestock systems
• Building of resilience of livestock systems and communities, especially in dryland (pastoral and agro-pastoral) systems

ILRI has state-of-the art facilities to undertake research on the sustainability of livestock systems in the global south. These include the Mazingira (Swahili for Environment) Centre which is unique in Africa and is the only facility in the continent that is devoted to comprehensively assessing the environmental footprint of livestock and mitigating the effects. ILRI’s facilities also comprise animal and field experimental facilities and laboratories at ILRI Headquarters in Nairobi and at the Kapiti Research Station, a 13,000ha research facility about 60km outside the city. ILRI collaborates in a partnership mode across Africa and Asia, representing different farming/livestock system and agro-ecologies.

The program works with a range of international, regional and national partners and engages with a range of public and private sector stakeholders.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Leadership

• Provide outstanding strategic leadership of the program and develop the program strategy in line with ILRI’s Strategy and CGIAR Research and Innovation Strategies.
• Lead complex multi-disciplinary research and provide technical expertise in the areas of drylands, farming systems and animal and environmental sciences, as well as an ability to stimulate innovation in the livestock sector.
• Foster research collaboration across the research programs within ILRI and across the One CGIAR centres and initiatives.
• Lead and support teams to obtain positive results in partnerships with national, regional and international institutions in research, extension, development and in public, private and civil society.

Management

• Lead, manage and support staff (currently about 25 scientists and post docs, 30 technical staff and 12 admin staff) across multiple sites
• Lead the management of budgets and physical research facilities including laboratories, field research sites and specialized experimental facilities for measurement of environmental impacts of livestock.

Partnerships and communications

• Lead and facilitate the wide publication, dissemination and communication of research findings.
• Develop and foster effective partnerships across a wide range of organisations, including national, regional and international institutions in research, extension, development and policy in the public, private and civil society sectors.
• Ensure research outputs lead to outcomes and impacts on policy and practice.

Resource mobilization

• Lead and oversee resource mobilization efforts to support research and capacity development in line with the program and ILRI strategies.
• Lead development of proposals to raise resources to support new research addressing the program’s target outcomes. 

Requirements:

Required

• A PhD in a relevant discipline.
• At least 12 years of experience of research for development, thought leadership with a proven international publication record.
• A proven ability to lead multidisciplinary, multi-cultural, multi-locational research teams.
• A sound understanding of livestock-based systems and in particular sustainability issues in Africa and Asia,
• A track record of resource mobilization,
• The ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent communication skills in verbal and written English.

Desirable

• Familiarity with the science-policy interface in livestock and the environment in low- and middle-income countries.
• Working knowledge of French

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya

Terms of Appointment

This is position is at job level HG 21 and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical and other insurances.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development through our recruitment portal by clicking on the "Apply Now" tab above before 11th November 2022. The position title and reference number: PL/673/2022 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.