Organization Unit: Director, People and Culture
Reports to: Deputy Executive Managing Director
Grade: SO8 / CG13
Location: Montpellier, France
Date Published: 22 January 2025
Closing Date for Applications: 13 February 2025 at 9am CET
About CGIAR
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Its research is conducted closely with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations, and the private sector.
About the position
CGIAR has an ambitious agenda to deliver science and innovation and advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems to deliver diverse, healthy, safe, sufficient, and affordable diets, and ensure improved livelihoods and greater social equality. CGIAR operates as a matrix with each Center having its own governance and leadership structure operating alongside the integrated governance and leadership arrangements of CGIAR as a whole.
The People and Culture (P&C) Unit provides thought and operational leadership to the CGIAR System Organization (SO) on strategic direction and specialized services to management and staff regarding talent management. The P&C unit works very closely with the Gender Diversity and Inclusion function to embed aspects of culture, diversity and inclusion into P&C policies and practices. The Unit develops and implements P&C strategies, policies and systems that support the mission of the System Organization. Working in close collaboration with the CGIAR P&C Community of Practice, and guided by the outcome of the ICI deliberations, the Unit supports the development and implementation of P&C initiatives and projects that aim to facilitate integration and collaboration across CGIAR Centers. This includes generating and promoting the adoption of best practices, harmonization of P&C policies and practices, processes improvement across-Centers, tracking their implementation, reporting on progress and anticipating and mitigating risks. The P&C Unit also provides advice on and supports the processes related to the staffing and people management aspects of the science programs and accelerators.
The Director, P&C, reporting to the DEMD, is responsible and accountable for providing leadership, direction, oversight, and effective management to the P&C Unit. The Director develops and implements P&C strategies, policies and practices that enable the System Organization to achieve its mission and ensures quality P&C services are delivered to the SO management and staff. The Director performs a key role in bringing together cross-Centers representation to identify intersecting needs, emerging issues, and opportunities to align or integrate approaches or services, and transforming discussions into collaboration projects that respond to system-wide priorities. The Director orients collaboration towards shared identity, vision, and standards, and positions the CGIAR as an innovator in people and culture management.
Duties and Responsibilities
Lead the design and implementation of P&C strategies, policies and processes, informed by best practices, that support the System Organization in accomplishing its mandate, ensuring coherence of priorities and approaches with the CGIAR System's vision, as well as the Unitโs mandate to promote and support cross-Center integration and collaboration. In close collaboration with Centersโ P&C functions, and in alignment with ICI-established priorities, lead efforts to identify opportunities for cross-Centers synergies, integration, or strengthened collaborations in advancing P&C policies, systems, practices, and services delivery models, with the aim to improve system-wide effectiveness and/or efficiency. Steer, oversee, ensure effective risk management, and report on the implementation of cross-Centers ICI-approved initiatives and projects supporting system-wide integration and collaboration. Provide vision, strategic direction and leadership of effective delivery of P&C services to SO management and staff, as well as a set of agreed services to CGIAR research programs and accelerators. Provide knowledge, insights and understanding of change management processes and procedures to elevate and develop skills in this area within the SO and across CGIAR. Create and drive strong internal communication channels to engage internal stakeholders for outreach and collaboration to co-create innovating P&C approaches, as well as multiple feedback channels, to understand and align needs and opportunities for continuous improvement. Advise and counsel senior leadership on sensitive staffing matters, collaborating effectively with the Staff Committee, Office of Ethics and Business Conduct and Ombudsperson. Build and mentor the People and Culture team, developing and expanding capabilities, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing and standards of excellence for the team, motivating and empowering the team achievements. Proactively engage with Centers on existing and emerging areas for P&C integration and strengthened collaboration promoting a cohesive institutional culture and common standards of workforce formation and management, in line with ICI priorities Working closely with the GDI function, promote a people-centric culture which ensures equity, diversity and inclusion in workforce formation and management, highlighting their value in strengthening the Centers and CGIAR System as a whole. Position the System Organization to lead and inspire effective people management practices across the CGIAR. Develop annual budgets and plans for the P&C function for submission through the institutional budget process. Develop relevant standards and strategic and operational P&C metrics to identify trends, inform business decisions and assess service quality, ensuring responsiveness and continued relevance against changing program priorities and direction. Integrate innovative approaches and evaluation/monitoring mechanisms of the People and Culture management cycle, in response to the Unitโs performance and organizational needs.Requirements
Education and Experience
Advanced University Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration (MBA), Organization Development, or other HR/ business management field. Knowledge of human resources theories and concepts. Progressive experience of at least 15 years in human resources. Demonstrated impact at a senior level including leading a human resource and organizational development team in a large, multicultural and geographically dispersed global organization. Comprehensive knowledge of global best practices in HR and OD, strong program management skills, and a demonstrated ability to successfully advocate perspectives to various stakeholders. A demonstrated track record of building and championing change management initiatives to affect organizational culture change and affiliate people to a new strategic direction. Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to creating a working environment that is respectful and inclusive. Proven ability to integrate, inspire and develop multidisciplinary teams and manage talent, with the strong commitment to promote diversity, knowledge sharing, and talent development. Strategic thinking, with the ability to plan and to assess and mitigate risks. Outstanding communication skills and ability to collaborate and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, in a multicultural work environment. Uphold the highest ethical standards by inspiring trust and treating all people with respect. Fluency in English is required. As the System Organization is based in Montpellier, France, working knowledge French is highly desirable. Knowledge of an additional language such as Spanish or Arabic is an advantage.Key Competences
Substantive Knowledge: Demonstrated Capacity gained through progressive experience to manage integrated programs seeking to Corporate Mission. Communication skills: Demonstrated Skill to position the organization as for quality and origination. Execution skills: Demonstrated Achievement in seeking continual improvement leading to more effective resource management.Languages
Fluency in English is required. As the System Organization is based in Montpellier, France, working knowledge French is highly desirable. Knowledge of an additional language such as Spanish or Arabic is an advantage.
Benefits
The selected staff member will be offered terms and conditions commensurate with the grade of the position.
Submitting Your Application
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