CIFOR ICRAF Chief Operating Officer COO

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at CIFOR ICRAF will partner with the CEO to enhance organizational strategy, oversee operations, and ensure operational excellence. Responsibilities include talent management, HR oversight, risk management, and compliance with local laws. The role requires a PhD and extensive experience in research or development organizations, particularly in executive leadership. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
1. Main roles:
• Collaborate with CEO: Partner with the CEO and the senior leadership team to sharpen and drive the organizational strategy and related operational and talent management plans.
• Ensure operational excellence and strategic redesign: Guiding the development and review of processes systems and structures strategically for seamless integration across various functions including HR to maintain high standards of operational performance.
• Translate strategy into action: Convert strategic objectives into actionable steps for growth encompassing organizationwide goal setting performance management talent development and operational planning.
• Providing support and advice in the running of CIFORICRAF HQ on Nairobi campus including managing relationships with the host country and hosted institutions.
• Risk Management: Liaise with Internal Audit and team leads to ensure risk controls are embedded in daily operations.

2. Responsibilities:
• Oversee the organization s operations and employee productivity building a highly inclusive culture that ensures team members can thrive and that organizational goals are met.
• Oversee HR and strategic workforce planning to ensure policies and practices support a thriving workplace and align with longterm organizational objectives.
• Develop and implement business strategies in collaboration with the CEO and members of the Senior Leadership Team including multiyear plans.
• Ensure highquality talent management including recruiting onboarding talent development performance management and employee retention to build a strong skilled team.
• Oversee host country relations and Nairobi campus operations ensuring compliance with national and local laws and regulations in line with the provisions of the host country agreement.
• Analyze internal operations and identify areas for process enhancement and optimization.
• Guide the development and review of systems to support operational excellence in HR and units key to strategic plan implementation. This includes utilizing predictive models forecasts and analyses to support effective decision making and reporting.
• Oversee resource mobilization processes and plans ensuring a continued transition to sustainable fundraising models and longterm growth.
• Represent CIFORICRAF when needed in forums and build partnerships needed to advance strategic objectives including public and private donors governments and other key stakeholders.

3. Other Responsibilities:
• Identify and mitigate potential risks within your work area
• Take reasonable care of own occupational health and safety and that of others as obliged by CIFORICRAF s Occupational Health and Safety Policy and cooperate with CIFORICRAF in complying with requirements under any statutory health and safety provisions of relevant Country laws.
• Participate in the Office of the CEO projects as may be required.

Requirements
• PhD degree in relevant area of study
• Ten or more years of experience in a research or development organization
• Five or more years of executive leadership roles preferably in an international research or development organization setting.
• Excellent leadership skills with steadfast resolve diplomacy and personal integrity
• Understanding of advanced business planning and regulatory issues
• Solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics
• Ability to diagnose problems quickly and foresee potential issues.

PhD degree in relevant area of study Ten or more years of experience in a research or development organization Five or more years of executive leadership roles, preferably in an international research or development organization setting. Excellent leadership skills, with steadfast resolve, diplomacy and personal integrity Understanding of advanced business planning and regulatory issues Solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics Ability to diagnose problems quickly and foresee potential issues.