Start Date: ASAP-July

Deadline for Applications: 22 July 2024

Time Involvement: 50% July through October then 25% November and December

Project Background:

This Project aims to comprehensively assess CGIAR’s strategic assets and develop a plan to ensure their continued readiness and effectiveness in supporting the CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy. Phase II of the project includes the following objectives:

• Collect data and create the asset portfolio of CGIAR’s 13 Centers

• Develop a methodology to identify which assets should be considered essential or strategic for the delivery of CGIAR’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy and beyond
• Conduct a business and financial assessment of strategic assets, identify potential funding gaps, and reviewing their current business model

• Develop a strategic investment and business model for CGIAR to budget and fundraise for assets, including creating business plans, full life-cycle costing models, and decommissioning.
• Identify opportunities for investment to help reduce our long-term cost base, opportunities to optimize through consolidation, outsourcing or decommissioning, upgrading existing strategic assets, and procurement of new strategic assets to support CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy.

A key component of this project involves developing a strong methodology and validating the final results of the study.

Objective:

To engage an experienced Asset Study Senior Advisor to provide strategic guidance and ongoing support throughout the project. This includes offering expertise on methodologies, data collection tools, and strategic asset identification, culminating in a final assessment of the study’s validity within the final report.

Consultant Responsibilities:

• Strategic Guidance and Support (Ongoing from July through December 2024):
  • Collaborate with the project team to refine and strengthen the research methodology, costing methodology, and data collection tools.
  • Offer strategic insights and recommendations regarding the identification of strategic assets aligned with the 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy.
  • Participate in project team meetings and workshops, providing expert advice and facilitating discussions.
  • Identify and address potential risks and challenges that may arise during the study.
  • Participate in briefings as requested
• Final Assessment and Validation (by 01 November):
  • Review the data analysis methods used by the project team, including costing analysis techniques.
  • Evaluate the final data analysis results, reports, and visualizations for accuracy, consistency, and alignment with research objectives.
  • Assess the final results regarding the costing analysis and the identification of strategic assets aligned with the 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy.
  • Provide a comprehensive assessment of the study’s overall validity and limitations in a dedicated section of the final report.
  • Participate in briefings and presentations as requested

Deliverables:

• Participation in Meetings: Participation in the Steering committee and high-level stakeholder meetings and workshops when required. Active involvement in project discussions and offering strategic advice.
• Final Report – Assessment of Study Validity: Prepare a final report summarizing the advisor’s assessment of the study’s methodology, data collection, analysis, and overall validity, including any identified limitations. This should include an assessment of the validity of the data quality and analysis on a Center-by-Center basis.
• Reports – Support with the preparation of management reports and business cases

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in research methodology and strategic asset management within the agricultural research sector.
• Proven expertise in costing methodologies relevant to research assets.
• In-depth knowledge of CGIAR’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and concise strategic advice.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

Timeline:

The Senior Advisor is expected to participate on a 50% basis from July through October, and on a 25% basis in November and December.

• Stage 1: Develop methodology (July through 10 Aug)
• Stage 2: 13 CGIAR Centers apply methodology (August through September)
• Stage 3: Consolidate Center feedback into a consolidated report and business case (October)
• Stage 4: Fine tune final reports (November and December)

Selection Criteria:

Candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed based on their qualifications, experience, understanding of research methodology, strategic asset management, costing methodologies, and the CGIAR’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy. The successful candidate will possess the expertise to provide valuable strategic guidance throughout the study and deliver an objective assessment of its validity in the final report.

Benefits

CGIAR is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-colour, multi-generational, and multi-disciplinary, collegial working environment, with a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and flexible working arrangements. 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.