Country Representative - India and Bangladesh

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a dynamic leader with exceptional management aptitude and a deep understanding of water, land and agricultural development challenges and opportunities in India and Bangladesh.

This is an internationally recruited position; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply.

The Country Representative (CR) represents the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the CGIAR’s Water Systems Unit in India & Bangladesh. The CR also maintains strong links with the CGIAR Country Coordinators for India and Bangladesh, other CGIAR units, and national and international partners. The primary responsibilities of the CR are:

• Manage all staff, interns and consultants at IWMI’s assigned offices.
• Coordinate business development in India and Bangladesh to sustain and grow a viable funding pipeline including with other CGIAR units.
• Represent IWMI and the CGIAR Water Systems unit in relevant national and regional forums and, develop and strengthen relationships with government agencies, national research organizations and implementing partners, to expand and promote uptake of research outputs.
• Country office management (people management; financial management; governance and risk management).
• Participate in research projects and programs aligned with personal expertise.

The CGIAR is a global partnership of research for development international organizations that aims to strengthen delivery of research and innovation, to tackle the complex and interconnected challenges to food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. The current CGIAR Research Centers and Alliances are the foundation of the One CGIAR and are in the process of adopting an integrated approach to how they operate in the implementation of the CGIAR Strategy and Results Framework.

It is expected that the Country Representative will spend a minimum of 40% of their time on duties representing IWMI/the CGIAR Water Systems Unit, and managing people and operations, with the remaining time on project-specific research activities.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead country program development and implementation,

• Develop the strategic direction of the country offices, ensuring consistency with IWMI’s and the CGIAR’s Research and Innovation Strategy, strong alignment to country and regional development priorities and research needs, and complementarity with the roles of partner organizations.

• Coordinate development, funding and management of the project portfolio of the offices through contributions to and leadership of the design and development of programmatic and project proposals.
• Build a strong commitment to teamwork and collaboration among country office staff, with other CGIAR and IWMI units and external partners.
• Manage country office staff to ensure delivery of high quality, timely research and outputs that meet the requirements of partners and clients.
• Provide substantive advice to the Director General, Deputy Director General, Asia Director for Research Impact, other senior management and CGIAR leadership on the country directions in relation to water systems science and planning of relevant programs and projects.

IWMI representation,

• Manage IWMI’s relationship with the host-country governments for the Country Offices in accordance with host-country and hosting organization agreements.
• Strengthen existing and develop new working relationships within the CGIAR and other research and development partners, national and regional authorities, and different stakeholders, to raise the profile and visibility of IWMI and CGIAR’s water systems science.
• Proactively contribute to CGIAR/IWMI’s fundraising efforts by identifying relevant initiatives, developing a close network with donors, coordinating the preparation of proposals, and providing strong intellectual inputs in coordination with the Asia Director for Research Impact, and relevant strategic program directors (SPDs), research group leaders (RGLs) and the Business Development Unit (BDU).
• Promote the uptake of CGIAR/IWMI research outputs in coordination with the Asia Director for Research Impact, SPDs and research groups.
• Lead country-level communications/outreach activities in coordination with the communications and resource mobilization and partnership teams.
• Serve as IWMI’s primary point of contact for CGIAR programmatic coordination and integration at country levels, and for the CGIAR Initiatives/Science Programs in which IWMI is participating, in coordination with relevant leaders of Strategic Programs and projects.

Office management and administration,

• Take overall responsibility for the management of the India and Bangladesh offices, including annual budgeting, risk and compliance management and monthly financial reporting.
• Proactively and effectively manage resources and promote stewardship, ensuring research and operations teams have and optimize the appropriate human, financial, and material resources.
• Manage staff in accordance with CGIAR/IWMI’s policies and applicable regulations. Responsibilities include: (i) leading recruitment; (ii) planning and assigning staff to research projects in consultation with project leaders; (iii) guiding professional development and performance reviews; and (iv) addressing employee relationship issues and resolving problems.
• Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Complete performance management for direct reports, provide coaching, and strategically tailor individual development plans. Contribute to staffing plans and recruitment processes.
• Proactively manage security and mitigate security risks. Ensure a safe work and living environment through leading implementation of safety and security protocols and staff care and well-being best practices.
• Manage issues related to administration, finance, and research in the country in consultation with relevant functional units within CGIAR/IWMI (finance, human resources, information technology [ICT], partnerships, communications and resource mobilization).

Research development and implementation,

• Develop and implement projects within personal expertise and experience.
• Work with staff and partners of IWMI/CGIAR Water Systems unit and with the CGIAR Regional Country Coordinators to ensure that the research portfolio for water systems in the India and Bangladesh (i) reflects national priorities, (ii) is aligned with CGIAR’s and IWMI’s strategies, and (iii) is well implemented with the aim of producing high-quality scientific outputs, including peer-reviewed scientific papers, as well as development impacts.
• Coordinate with appropriate staff and CGIAR units to ensure that research activities undertaken by IWMI or other CGIAR programs and initiatives are well integrated into the country-level strategy.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

• A master’s or PhD in one of the following disciplines: water resources management, climate change adaptation or mitigation, international development, environmental science, geography, development economics, or sociology, with at least 10 years of relevant work experience holding positions of increasing responsibility. A PhD is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience of promoting and enhancing gender, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and in research-for-development programs
• Demonstrated knowledge and research experience relevant to IWMI’s overall mission of water management in developing countries, as well as knowledge of the functioning of the CGIAR system.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging with regional networks and building strong partnerships with different categories of stakeholders.
• Experience working with and influencing stakeholders, especially senior decision makers at national and regional levels, and liaising with donor agencies.
• Experience producing high quality written proposals, reports and academic papers. Proven ability to communicate research results to stakeholders at different management levels in multiple countries.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential:

• A deep understanding of water, land and agricultural development challenges and opportunities in the country/region.
• Demonstrated skills in managing programs and personnel, including experience of forming, operating in and leading interdisciplinary teams that have delivered high-quality outputs on time and according to budget.
• Fluent in English – both written and verbal.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, managers and other stakeholders in a multicultural setting, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

TRAVEL OBLIGATIONS:

• Frequent travel in the region of posting and beyond.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

The Country Representative for India and Bangladesh should demonstrate high levels of the following competencies:

Strategic Leadership,

• Shows drive and commitment to CGIAR’s/IWMI’s vision and mission; helps others understand how their efforts contribute to IWMI’s work.
• Demonstrates and sets expectations for integrity and honesty in relation to professional ethics and practice. Treats everyone fairly, consistently, and with respect.

Managing People,

• Builds diverse teams; appraises their ability and potential; gives candid and timely performance feedback; rewards desirable behavior and coaches staff to help them perform effectively.
• Elicits the creative ideas of others and supports them to succeed acknowledging their contributions; delegates effectively, and assigns responsibilities based on skills, performance objectives and development opportunities.

Communication,

• Demonstrates effective oral and written communications skills. Shares information with others, adapting messages to diverse audiences.
• Communicates and responds promptly to meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders.

Stakeholder Focus & Impact Orientation,

• Develops realistic plans with available resources; establishes high standards of performance and demonstrates a commitment to quality and excellence; empowers staff; focuses on results and delivers on time and within budget.
• Drives for results by being proactive and setting high standards for self and others; takes ownership and responsibility for maintaining a strong focus on both internal and external stakeholder needs and expectations.

Research and Implementation,

• Designs and executes systems for the acquisition of knowledge, critically analyzing and evaluating findings whilst effectively utilizing appropriate resources and equipment.
• Constructs coherent findings and articulates ideas clearly to a range of audiences, formally and informally, through a variety of techniques to promote maximum impact. Contributes to promoting the wider understanding of research.

Collaboration & Teamwork,

• Promotes collaboration; shares knowledge and information; builds partnerships and creates an environment for learning and continuous innovation.
• Creates an environment conducive to inter-disciplinary teamwork across organizational boundaries; builds alliances and promotes open communication and collaboration to achieve joint objectives.

Influencing & Resolving Differences

• Gains support and commitment from others; resolves differences by determining needs and forging solutions that benefit all parties.
• Displays flexibility and respect for differences of opinion; demonstrates transparency and objectivity when negotiating with others.

Promoting Diversity & Inclusion,

• Builds diverse teams and manages differences to achieve results. Demonstrates commitment to diversity and inclusion through staffing decisions (recruitment, recognition, development, etc.).
• Respects and values difference, listens with an open mind and enables all staff to actively and visibly contribute. Challenges preferences in self and others that may affect workplace decisions. Models behaviors that promote an inclusive organizational culture.

Benefits

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. Internationally recruited staff who are employed at a duty station outside of their home base/country of nationality will also receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for eligible dependents. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on October 20, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.