Key Responsibilities

Digital Transformation

<ul>
	<li> Strategic Vision &amp; Leadership: Develop and lead ILRI’s digital transformation and data strategy leveraging AI, analytics, and emerging technologies (including Gen AI), ensuring alignment with the 2030 Corporate Strategy and long-term institutional goals.</li>
	<li> Operational Management &amp; Innovation: Oversee departmental planning, budgeting, and performance management to ensure cost-effective delivery of high-impact data and digital solutions while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.</li>
	<li> Governance &amp; Policy Development: Establish and implement policies, standards, and governance frameworks (including business continuity plans) to ensure secure, efficient, and strategic use of digital technologies across ILRI.</li>
	<li> Cross-Sector Collaboration: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify digital needs and co-create solutions; build partnerships with CGIAR Centers, academia, industry, and vendors to access shared services, technologies, and innovation pipelines.</li>
	<li> Talent Development &amp; Change Leadership: Provide strategic leadership in staff development, mentoring, and change management to build a digitally capable workforce and ensure delivery of KPIs and SLAs institutional wide.</li>
</ul>

Data and Research Systems

<ul>
	<li> AI-Enabled Data Strategy: Provide strategic oversight for the collection, management, and analysis of complex research datasets using AI, and advanced analytics to enable evidence-based decision-making and maximize research impact.</li>
	<li> Data Governance &amp; Compliance: Maintain and enforce robust data governance policies to safeguard integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards, ensuring compliance with FAIR principles and global regulations (e.g., GDPR) while preparing datasets for AI-readiness.</li>
	<li> Collaborative Digital Innovation: Partner with researchers and departments to design and prototype human-centred digital tools that streamline research workflows and enhance scientific outputs.</li>
	<li> Digital Solutions for Science: Lead the design and delivery of agile, user-centred research and business applications, ensuring secure, scalable platforms that support ILRI’s research agenda and global data sharing needs.</li>
</ul>

ICT Operations

<ul>
	<li> Service Management &amp; Process Optimization: Implement ITIL-based service management frameworks and optimized workflows to deliver consistent, SLA-driven support and seamless user experiences.</li>
	<li> Strategic IT Partnership: Position the ICT department as a trusted business partner across ILRI, providing proactive, responsive and value-driven support and technical backstopping to research, business, and regional teams globally.</li>
	<li> Infrastructure Leadership:   Govern the evolution of ILRI’s IT infrastructure, comprising networks, servers, and communication platforms, integrating automation and AI to enhance efficiency and reliability.</li>
	<li> Cybersecurity &amp; Risk Mitigation: Lead organization-wide information security strategy, including policy development, threat detection, vulnerability management, and business continuity planning to minimise risks.</li>
	<li> Innovation &amp; Compliance: Drive adoption of emerging technologies through structured scouting and pilot programs, ensuring IT systems comply with global security standards and institutional policies.</li>
</ul>

Requirements

<ul>
	<li>Advanced degree i.e PhD, MSC, Masters in Information Systems or MBA equivalent with significant relevant experience.</li>
	<li>9 years’ experience with PhD or fifteen years’ relevant experience with masters and progressively responsible experience in leadership roles overseeing digital transformations and data science in a research or academic environment.</li>
	<li>Experience in digital strategic planning, budgeting, and people management by delivering efficient and effective digital leadership and delivering technology solutions within a global/international organizational setting.</li>
	<li>While technical acumen is important, success in this role will depend equally on interest and track record on strategic thinking, change management, and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural, decentralized environment.</li>
	<li>Ability to build trust and alignment across scientific, operational, and regional teams in a matrixed and multi-stakeholder environment.</li>
	<li>Capacity to influence without authority and to navigate institutional complexity through strategic communication, listening, and coalition-building.</li>
	<li>Ability to translate technical vision into organizational priorities and to adapt messaging for diverse cultural and disciplinary audiences.</li>
	<li>Ability to manage some ambiguity, balancing institutional priorities, and supporting teams through change and transformation.</li>
	<li>Ability to communicate with a diverse group of stakeholders and influence change through relationship and referential power</li>
	<li>Ability to build and strengthen partnership with internal teams — including researchers, country offices, and operational units is essential, as is the ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement and digital learning.</li>
</ul>

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Head Of ICT, Data Systems And Digital Transformation

International Livestock Research Institute

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Head Of ICT, Data Systems And Digital Transformation

International Livestock Research Institute

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