Practice Lead, Artificial Intelligence

Reports to: Chief Digital Transformation Officer

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Grade: SO7 / CG12

Date Published: 13 May 2025

Closing Date for Applications: 4 June 2025 at 16:00 CEST

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 is accelerating the responsible and inclusive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform food, land, and water systems for a more resilient and equitable future. The Practice Lead of AI will be CGIAR’s most senior AI leader, responsible for shaping and executing a CGIAR system-wide AI strategy that drives scientific innovation, operational effectiveness, and global impact. 

CGIAR’s Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA), part of its P25 portfolio, is driving the digital transformation of CGIAR and it’s mission. With strong institutional and human capacity,  the DTA aims to harness the power of AI, ML, LLMs, robotics, data science, and cybersecurity to create global public goods critical to the agri-food systems (AFS) that enable smallholder farmers to benefit from the digital revolution, paving the way for a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive transformation of small-holder production systems.  

A key enabler of the DTA is strategic partnerships with leading technology companies and experts.  The UAE Presidential Court has pledged support for the establishment of the CGIAR AI Hub in Abu Dhabi (Hub). The Hub will provide essential AI, ML, data, cyber security capacities to CGIAR’s science programs, CGIAR Centers, partners, and technology actors in the global tech ecosystem offering direct access to key players in the global technology ecosystem. Through collaborative efforts, the Hub will co-develop, amongst others, agriculture-specific LLMs and computer-vision-assisted phenotyping approaches. 

Based at the AI and Digital Transformation Accelerator Hub in Abu Dhabi—CGIAR’s flagship hub in a global network hosted by the UAE’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC)—the Practice Lead, Artificial Intelligence will work in close partnership with ATRC’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII), AI71, and other hubs in CGIAR’s Digital Transformation Accelerator. 

The role will also lead the development of a collaborative CGIAR Center of Excellence on AI, ensuring coordinated support for the institutional AI strategy, best practices, and responsible AI adoption across CGIAR’s integrated partnership and network of centers. 

Key Responsibilities

Purpose

• Lead the design, implementation, and governance of CGIAR’s institutional AI strategy, ensuring its integration into both CGIAR’s science and innovation priorities and operational transformation agenda. 
• Advance cross-portfolio integration of AI into CGIAR research, identifying and supporting high-impact applications in areas such as predictive analytics, generative AI, decision intelligence, natural language processing, and remote sensing. 
• Mobilize funding and partnerships to expand CGIAR’s AI capabilities and advance the goals of the AI strategy and Center of Excellence in close collaboration with CGIAR’s Resource Mobilization and Partnerships teams. 
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate potential risks associated with AI in the CGIAR context, in line with the CGIAR System risk management framework. 

Engagement

• Manage and grow the AI and Digital Transformation Accelerator Hub in Abu Dhabi, positioning it as a leading global innovation platform and CGIAR’s anchor node in a growing network of digital transformation hubs. 
• Provide leadership on ethical, inclusive, and responsible AI governance, including safeguards, policy alignment, and capacity building within CGIAR and with partners. 
• Advise and support CGIAR Centers and programs to co-design, adopt, and scale AI-driven solutions, working across agricultural, climate, biodiversity, and food system domains. 
• Engage with global and regional partners, including ATRC, TII, AI71, private sector tech leaders, and multilateral institutions to strengthen CGIAR’s role as a thought leader and innovation partner in AI for development. 

Delivery

• Establish and direct a CGIAR-wide Center of Excellence on AI, serving as a collaborative platform to drive knowledge sharing, standards, responsible AI frameworks, and applied research across CGIAR’s global partnership, focussing initially on developing responsible AI guidelines, guiding and advising pilot applications, and building CGIAR-wide capabilities.
• Develop workplans and budget for the development of CGIAR Center of Excellence on AI.
• Catalyze institutional AI adoption in operational functions, such as monitoring and evaluation (MELIA), People and Culture (P&C), Finance, and Strategic Planning, to enhance internal decision-making and organizational performance. 
• Build and lead a high-performing AI team, including technical experts, partnership managers, and researchers, integrated into CGIAR’s Digital Transformation function and connected to CGIAR science programs, ensuring a productive, respectful and inclusive work environment. 
• Ensure the timely implementation of a CGIAR system-wide AI strategy.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field, with a strong focus on real-world applications. 
• Minimum 10 years of experience in leading AI initiatives across research, innovation, or institutional transformation, with proven impact. 
• Demonstrated experience in building institutional AI capacity, lead strategy execution, and implement responsible AI frameworks. 
• Strong track record in establishing collaborative platforms or centers of excellence, preferably in multilateral, public-good, or international contexts. 
• Experience working with low- and middle-income countries, including knowledge of equity, access, and capacity challenges in digital transformation. 

Key Competencies

• Systems leadership with the ability to connect AI innovation to science, operational transformation, and global development challenges. 
• Deep technical understanding of current and emerging AI technologies and their application to sustainable development and research. 
• Strategic thinker with excellent organizational change and partnership-building skills. 
• Proven ability to lead high-performing, multicultural, and cross-functional teams. 
• Strong communication skills, capable of translating technical AI concepts into actionable strategies and compelling narratives. 
• Commitment to responsible, inclusive, and public-good–oriented AI innovation. 

Language

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Proficiency in Arabic, French, or other UN languages is desirable. 

Benefits

The successful candidate will be employed by the CGIAR System Organization.

The CGIAR System Organization is an equal opportunity employer and offers competitive compensation with favorable taxation arrangements and, subject to eligibility, comprehensive employee benefits comprising extensive insurance coverage, a retirement plan, an education grant, and relocation support at the start of the appointment and upon conclusion of appointment for staff members and eligible dependents.

System Organization appointments are typically for a fixed term of three years, with a possibility of renewal subject to effective performance, operational needs, and funding. 

Submitting Your Application

All applications must be submitted online by clicking the 'Apply' button below. If you require assistance or face challenges in submitting your application, please email recruitment@cgiar.org with the position title in the subject line. Please note we will not accept applications through this email. 

Please ensure that your resume and cover letter are in English and do not contain your marital status, age, or photograph. Documents provided in a language other than English will not be considered. 

CGIAR is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe 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, collegial working environment, with a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and flexible working arrangements. We consciously create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and 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. If you require accommodation due to a disability, please email your request to recruitment@cgiar.org and include “Diversity and Inclusion Accommodation” in the subject line. 

All received applications will be acknowledged; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. 

We look forward to hearing from you!