Global Research Theme Leader – Resilient Livestock, Rangelands and Agrosilvopastoral Systems

About the Organization

For more than four decades, ICARDA has worked on small ruminants, animal genetic resources, forages, rangelands and pastoral systems in the world’s drylands.

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.

ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Job Summary

Reports to: Deputy Director General – Research

We are looking for a scientist to lead this work into its next phase. That means connecting breeding, animal health, forage and rangeland science with climate adaptation, restoration, markets and policy, and showing measurable results for pastoralists and farmers.

The selected candidate will lead SRP3, one of the four priorities of ICARDA’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy, and sit on the Center’s Research Leadership Team. You will be accountable not only for the scientific performance of the portfolio, but also for its strategic coherence, institutional positioning, growth, visibility and contribution to ICARDA’s overall research agenda. The selected candidate doesn’t need to be an expert in every discipline the portfolio covers. He/she do need to know where the strongest science is and bring the right partners in. Also need to make sure what you deliver works in dryland conditions, at a cost people can afford.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the scientific and strategic direction for SRP3 and translate the ICARDA 2030 Strategy into a coherent, internationally competitive portfolio with clear scientific, development, environmental and policy outcomes, while strengthening SRP3’s contribution to ICARDA’s overall institutional strategy.
• Run the portfolio well: scientific quality, budgets, staff, monitoring and learning, changing course when the evidence says so.
• Convene and build integrated research that links livestock and rangelands with crops, water, soils, biodiversity, landscapes, markets and livelihoods, working across ICARDA’s research priorities to develop system-level solutions rather than parallel disciplinary activities.
• Identify, access, adapt and deploy advances from leading partner institutions and translate them into practical solutions for smallholder, pastoral and agropastoral systems. Examples include genomics, digital phenotyping, precision livestock tools, remote sensing, AI and climate modelling. Partners include universities, CGIAR Centers, advanced research institutes and technology companies.
• Represent ICARDA internationally and help shape global research and policy agendas on resilient livestock systems, rangelands, pastoralism, climate adaptation, biodiversity and dryland transformation, while building high-value strategic alliances with:
  • national research systems
  • FAO, IFAD and UNEP
  • development banks and foundations
  • climate-finance bodies
  • the private sector and producer organizations
• Build a financially sustainable and investable SRP3 portfolio by designing major multi-country initiatives and mobilizing significant funding from bilateral and multilateral partners, philanthropic organizations, development banks, climate and biodiversity finance mechanisms and the private sector.
• Lead, inspire and develop a geographically distributed multidisciplinary team. Recruit outstanding talent, mentor emerging scientific leaders, strengthen succession and career development, and establish clear standards of scientific quality, collaboration, accountability and delivery.

Required Qualifications

Education, qualifications, and experience

• A PhD in a field relevant to livestock–rangeland systems, such as rangeland ecology, animal science, animal genetics and breeding, agricultural systems, agroecology or landscape ecology.
• At least 12–15 years of substantial international research-for-development experience, including senior responsibility for multidisciplinary teams, major research programs and complex portfolios.
• An internationally recognized scientific record, with evidence of influence beyond individual publications through shaping major research programs, international agendas, policy, partnerships or practice.
• A strong and demonstrable track record of securing, growing and managing multi-million-dollar international research-for-development investments and partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in leading, developing and motivating multicultural and geographically distributed scientific teams, including mentoring emerging leaders and managing performance.
• Experience in low- and middle-income countries with smallholder, pastoral or agropastoral systems.
• Evidence that your research has led to adoption, institutional change, policy influence or impact at scale.
• Strong quantitative or systems-analysis skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential. French and/or Arabic is desirable.
• Experience in CGIAR or a comparable international research organization is desirable.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong quantitative or systems-analysis skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential. French and/or Arabic is desirable.

How to Apply

Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization’s standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is an internationally recruited staff position for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The first year will be probationary period.