IRS26239 Director IT and Digital Transformation (INTERNATIONALLY RECRUITED)

CIMMYT is a cutting‑edge, non‑profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource‑poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food‑secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

The Director of Information Technology and Digital Transformation (ITDT) is a business‑oriented executive leader who provides strategic leadership to position digital capabilities, enterprise systems, and knowledge assets as key enablers of CIMMYT’s research excellence, operational efficiency, and institutional sustainability. The ITDT Director is part of CIMMYT’s Leadership Team.

The role demands a leader with a strong business background — ideally with experience not only in IT but also in business functions such as business re‑engineering, general management, operations, or administration — who is fully accountable for CIMMYT’s digital and enterprise systems strategy, including Knowledge Management, Information Technology, cybersecurity, innovation, and the end‑to‑end development and implementation of ERP solutions.

The Director of ITDT ensures that knowledge, data, digital platforms, and enterprise systems are strategic assets that directly enable CIMMYT’s scientific excellence, operational effectiveness, and long‑term sustainability. The post‑holder must bring a genuine business mindset to the role, bridging the gap between technology and organizational strategy, and demonstrating a track record of delivering business value through digital and information management initiatives.

Reporting Line & Authority

The Director of ITDT, is part of the Operations Chapter and reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and is a member of CIMMYT’s Leadership Team. The role holds institutional accountability for the IT and Knowledge Management operating budget globally, including enterprise systems, ERP, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives, in accordance with approved financial governance frameworks. The Director has authority to:

• Propose and prioritize digital and enterprise investments
• Sponsor major ERP and Digital programs
• Approve architecture, sourcing, and standards decisions
• Establish governance and operating models for the department

First‑Year Focus

The ERP project is the principal institutional priority during the first 12 months. During Year 1, the Director will:

• Act as Executive Sponsor and accountable owner of the ERP project
• Focus leadership attention on ERP stabilization, business adoption, and value realization
• Ensure continuity and risk control in IT operations, cybersecurity, and KM through strong delegation and management structures

Detailed KPIs will be refined post‑appointment, CIMMYT expects the Director ITDT to be accountable for clear first‑year outcomes, including:

• Enterprise Systems & ERP
  • Delivery of agreed ERP go‑live milestones (modules, regions, or functions as defined)
  • Stabilization and adoption of ERP across all functions, including Finance, HR, Procurement, and Grants Management.
  • Demonstrable improvements in process efficiency, data quality, and reporting
• IT Operations & Cybersecurity
  • Sustained IT service availability (e.g. ≥99.5% core system uptime)
  • Strengthened cybersecurity posture and risk controls
  • Improved user satisfaction with IT services
• Knowledge Management & Digital Enablement
  • Increased adoption and usage of KM platforms
  • Improved access to research and institutional knowledge assets
  • Progress toward interoperability and data governance standards

Strategic & Business Leadership

• Define and deliver IT and Digital Transformation strategy and roadmap aligned with CIMMYT’s Strategy 2030.
• Function as a genuine business partner to senior leadership, drawing on first‑hand experience in business operations, administration, or management to translate institutional needs into digital solutions.
• Position IT and Digital Transformation as a value‑creating function that improves efficiency, transparency, decision‑making, and research impact.
• Advise governance bodies on digital investments, risks, opportunities, and emerging trends.

Enterprise Systems & ERP Accountability

• Provide overall sponsorship and accountability for CIMMYT’s ERP program and major enterprise systems.
• Lead the full ERP lifecycle: business process harmonization, system design and configuration, data migration, integration, testing, deployment, change management, and optimization.
• Drive business transformation through the strategic exploitation of ERP capabilities, ensuring that system implementation translates into measurable improvements in organizational processes, decision‑making, and institutional performance — going well beyond technical deployment to deliver genuine business change.
• Ensure ERP solutions effectively support finance, HR, procurement, grants and project management, and research administration, leveraging a deep understanding of business processes ideally gained through direct experience in one or more of these functional areas.
• Establish enterprise systems governance, performance monitoring, and post‑implementation continuous improvement.

Knowledge Management, Data & Research Enablement

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive Knowledge Management strategy.
• Strengthen access to, sharing, and reuse of knowledge and data assets across CIMMYT and partner networks.
• Support research programs with KM, data management, analytics, and digital research platforms.
• Promote interoperability, data quality, and adoption of best practices in knowledge and information management.

IT Operations, Infrastructure & Cybersecurity

• Ensure dependable, secure, and cost‑effective IT services supporting global operations and research.
• Oversee infrastructure, cloud platforms, networks, end‑user services, and license management.
• Establish and maintain cybersecurity, access management, business continuity, and disaster‑recovery frameworks.
• Balance service reliability, innovation, and cost optimization.

Innovation & Digital Transformation

• Lead CIMMYT’s digital‑transformation agenda across research, operations, and corporate services.
• Lead the effective and responsible implementation and sustainment of the usage of Artificial Intelligence tools and agents.
• Define and maintain enterprise and digital architecture standards.
• Monitor emerging technologies and promote responsible adoption that delivers measurable value.
• Foster innovation, continuous improvement, and cross‑functional collaboration.

External Partnerships & Representation

• Build strategic partnerships with research institutions, technology providers, donors, and CGIAR counterparts.
• Represent CIMMYT in international digital, KM, and IT forums and consortia.
• Promote interoperability, shared platforms, and sustainability through collaboration.

Financial Stewardship & Resource Mobilization

• Manage the KM&IT budget, ensuring value for money and alignment with peer benchmarks.
• Contribute to resource mobilization for KM, IT, ERP, and digital initiatives in collaboration with Donor Relations.
• Monitor total cost of ownership and investment returns of digital and enterprise systems.

Governance, Performance & Reporting

• Establish KPIs and metrics to assess KM&IT performance and business impact.
• Provide regular performance, risk, and progress reports to senior management and governance bodies.
• Ensure compliance with CIMMYT policies, CGIAR frameworks, and applicable legal requirements.

People & Leadership

• Lead and develop a diverse, globally distributed KM&IT team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, learning, and innovation.
• Support talent development, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field.
• Formal IT service or governance certifications (e.g. ITIL, ISO) desirable but not mandatory, with demonstrated outcomes preferred over certification alone.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in IT, digital transformation, or enterprise systems leadership.
• Proven experience at Director or equivalent senior leadership level, managing complex organizations (e.g., 1,200+ staff and/or USD 200M+ annual budget), or multi‑country or globally distributed operations.
• Demonstrated leadership as Executive Sponsor of large‑scale ERP implementations; experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated working experience overseeing enterprise infrastructure, cloud platforms, data environments, and IT architecture supporting scientific, research, and operational functions, including high‑availability and globally distributed environments.
• Strong understanding of enterprise business processes (Finance, HR, Procurement, Grants, Research Administration), ideally through direct functional exposure.
• Experience with Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) frameworks and cybersecurity risk management.
• Proven experience establishing or managing IT shared‑service models (in‑house, outsourced, offshore, or hybrid).
• Experience in international development, agriculture, research, academia, or non‑profit organizations.
• Exposure to donor‑funded or grant‑driven operating environments.
• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Spanish or French is highly desirable, given CIMMYT’s global footprint.

CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.