Join CGIAR Independent Science for Development Council-Members

CGIAR is seeking to fill up to two ISDC member vacancies to join current serving members who represent a diverse group of recognized experts in their respective fields.

Suitable candidates may apply or be nominated for the positions listed. Applications/ nominations must provide the four required documents set out in this guidance document.

Deadline for applications/nominations: 30 April 2025, 18:00 (CET)

Summary

The Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) is an external, impartial standing panel of eight experts in scientific domains pertinent to CGIAR’s global mission of research for development. Members are appointed by the CGIAR System Council (SC), the representative body of funders of CGIAR and country representatives.

CGIAR’s mission is to deliver science and innovation that advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. ISDC provides rigorous, independent strategic advice to SC and the CGIAR System as a whole and is responsible for providing strategic oversight and ensuring robust, impartial assessment of the CGIAR Strategy, research structure and processes, funding requests, and research proposals. In addition, the ISDC leads:  

·       Foresight work to inform CGIAR’s longer-term research strategy;  

·       Horizon scanning to provide analysis on how emerging trends and developments can be considered in CGIAR’s work;  

·       Priority-setting exercises and analyses integrating both ex-post and ex-ante analyses. 

Therefore, it is vital that ISDC includes skills, disciplines, and backgrounds relevant to the CGIAR research and innovation agenda. Learn about the current members here. ISDC members serve three-year terms that may be renewed for an additional three years. The System Council of CGIAR is currently recruiting up to two regular members to start on 1 January 2026.

Requirements

What we are seeking

CGIAR is seeking to fill up to two ISDC member vacancies to join current serving members who represent a diverse group of recognized experts in their respective fields. The   commencement date for one of the selected appointees would ideally be January 1st, 2026.  

To assist CGIAR in maintaining an overall ISDC member composition that enables ISDC to deliver on its mandate in the context of CGIAR’s Research and Innovation Strategy, CGIAR is seeking candidates whose origin, experience, and usual work environment reflect the regions where CGIAR’s work is focused. ISDC benefits from multidisciplinary researchers who value and have experience in agrifood systems and innovation approaches. ISDC is a proactive and output-driven Council that relies on the individual and collective work of its members, supported by a small secretariat.

Applicants with two or more of the following areas of expertise related to agriculture, land, food and water systems are encouraged to apply:  

·       Crop and livestock systems

·       Crop and animal science

·       Food systems and value chains

·       Water management

·       Seed systems

·       Biodiversity and/or sustainable natural resource management

·       Climate change and/or climate resilience

·       Human nutrition, health and diets

·       Animal health

·       Soil health and management

·       Digital agriculture

Details on the role

Membership: ISDC consists of eight standing members, among them a Chair appointed by CGIAR System Council based upon a merit-based, open and competitive selection process and a Vice-Chair nominated by the Chair. ISDC is guided by Terms of Reference (TOR) and supported by a secretariat within the CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES). 

Appointment: Members of ISDC are appointed by the SC and accountable to it, with   nominated candidates put forward by a nominations panel. 

Representation: Members of ISDC serve in their personal capacity and must comply   with IAES prevailing conflict of interest policy provisions for ISDC members. 

Term: ISDC members are appointed for a three-year period, with a one-year      assessment period to confirm continuation of the term, and a possibility of one additional three-year term. 

Time commitment: Up to 25 days per calendar year, as determined by the ISDC Chair, supported by an honorarium, as outlined in the ISDC Member Competencies, time commitment and honorarium arrangements

 Activities: An approved workplan outlines the main activities. Members must attend a minimum of two in-person meetings a year and will be required to travel internationally to implement activities in line with the ISDC TOR. Other activities include attendance at virtual monthly meetings, writing tasks, and sometimes availability to review/comment on materials with quick turnaround. Work outside normal office hours, depending on time zone is expected. 

Teamwork: Members must be willing to work as a team member and volunteer to lead workstreams; ISDC members rotate leadership/management role for workstreams with ISDC secretariat support. Members must value divergent scientific       opinions and demonstrate a willingness to develop consensus.

Competencies:

• ISDC members are expected to demonstrate experience and/or expertise in several domains outlined in the member competencies framework. Consideration will be given to individuals who:  
• Contribute to ensuring that when taken as a collective whole, the ISDC membership continues to bring a balance of scientific, programmatic, innovation, and development expertise relevant to food, land and water systems. 
• Reflect eminence in their fields with internationally recognized achievements, not limited to scientific innovations and publications, in accordance with their current career progression and capacities to develop a systemic vision. 
• Demonstrate the ability to work across different disciplines, integrating knowledge from various fields to address complex global challenges. 
• Have the ability to recognize the mechanisms by which science and research deliver development and innovation outcomes in line with CGIAR’s mandate. 
• Have the capacity to deliver strategic advice that benefits from members with diverse cultural, organizational, educational, training, and geographic backgrounds. 
• Possess strong leadership and governance skills, with experience in guiding organizations and initiatives towards achieving strategic objectives.  

Other desired competencies:  

• Good communication skills; English required and proficiency in other languages a bonus.
• Ability to work as/in a team and willingness to build consensus. 

Early to mid-career researchers and science for development experts who apply for the position will be assessed against the criteria stipulated in the vacancy.

Eligibility

Based on the CGIAR IAES Conflict of Interest Policy, persons will not be eligible to be appointed to ISDC, and should not apply, if:  

• A current employee or executing a material consultancy with CGIAR, or have been employed by or served as a material consultant to CGIAR at any time during the two years prior to the date of application;  
• Actively serving on a CGIAR Board or any of its committees;
• Working directly in a Funder agency represented on the System Council;
• Other eligibility may be considered during the process based on any potential perceived or actual conflicts based on the candidate’s past and current personal and professional.

Requirements for applications and nominations

Individual applications or nominations* of potentially qualified people are welcomed by 30 April 2025 with the following four documents:

• One-page cover letter (max 500 words) - stating the applicant/nominated person’s   name, contact details, summary of expertise and experience, and suitability for the role   based on the competencies listed. In case of a letter of nomination, please include details of the nominee and a statement regarding your relationship. 
• Full curriculum vitae;  
• The names and current contacts of three referees who provide a diverse group of persons to contact; and 
• Declaration of past and/or current involvement with CGIAR and any potential perceived or real conflicts based on your past and current personal and professional affiliations, in accordance with the IAES Conflict of Interest Policy

* In the case of nominations, confirmation of interest and availability from the nominated person needs to be provided.

Benefits

CGIAR’s commitment to diversity: CGIAR fosters diversity that powers its innovation, contributes to excellence in its work and partnerships, and is critical for realizing its mission to deliver science and innovation that advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. Our priority is to appoint people that reflect our global character. CGIAR encourages qualified applicants from all cultures, races, geographies, ages, abilities, and genders.  

Candidates whose origin, experiences and usual work environments are from the following regions where CGIAR’s work is focused are highly desirable to fill current membership gaps:  

·       South Asia  

·       Southeast Asia & the Pacific  

·       Central & West Asia & North Africa

·       East & Southern Africa  

·       West & Central Africa