Practice Lead, Data Science

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

Data is the foundation of scientific innovation and institutional transformation. As CGIAR advances a bold agenda to transform food, land, and water systems, the Practice Lead for Data Science will be responsible for designing and delivering CGIAR’s institutional data strategy—ensuring data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR), while driving data-driven impact across both science and operations. 

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 ML, LLMs and other AI approaches, robotics, data science, and cybersecurity to create global public goods that enable smallholder farmers to benefit from the digital revolution, the DTA therefore aims to pave 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 a CGIAR AI Hub in Abu Dhabi (Hub). The Hub will provide essential AI, data, cyber security capacities to CGIAR’s science programs, Centers, partners, and technology actors, offering direct access to key players in the global technology ecosystem. Through collaborations, the Hub will co-develop innovations such as, agriculture-specific LLMs and computer-vision-assisted phenotyping approaches. 

Based in Abu Dhabi at the Hub and hosted by the UAE’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), the Practice Lead for Data Science will work at the forefront of CGIAR’s global data ecosystem transformation. The role will be instrumental in leading CGIAR’s shift toward federated, AI-ready, and user-centric data systems—bridging innovation and inclusion to support science, decision-making, and operational excellence. 

Key Responsibilities

Purpose

• Lead the development and implementation of CGIAR’s institutional data strategies, spanning research, operations, governance, and knowledge systems. 
• Oversee the design and governance of CGIAR’s federated data ecosystem, ensuring alignment with FAIR principles and enabling AI-readiness across Centers, platforms, and programs. 
• Advance data, interoperability, and stewardship, supporting cross-program collaboration, science delivery, and institutional performance. 
• Champion responsible data governance, ensuring data ethics, protection, equity, and inclusivity are embedded across CGIAR’s data lifecycle. 
• Mobilize partnerships and funding to support CGIAR’s data transformation agenda, working with governments, philanthropic actors, multilaterals, and technology providers. 
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate potential risks associated with institutional data systems and data management, in line with the CGIAR System risk management framework. 

Engagement

• Work closely with the DTA leadership, particularly the data ecosystem area of work, to ensure alignment of data-related investments, strategies, and governance models across CGIAR’s science and enabling functions. 
• Advise and support research programs and accelerators to co-develop and scale data-intensive solutions and decision-support tools, aligned with CGIAR’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy. 
• Collaborate with ATRC, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), and CGIAR’s global network of Digital Transformation Hubs, contributing to public-good data infrastructure, standards development, and frontier data innovation. 
• Represent CGIAR in global data and digital transformation fora, contributing to shaping global norms and thought leadership in open, responsible, and impact-driven data systems. 

Delivery

• Establish and lead a CGIAR-wide Data Science Function and Community of Practice, fostering best practices, capability building, and standardization in data science, analytics, and infrastructure management. 
• Ensure the timely implementation of the CGIAR’s institutional data strategy including the development of workplans and budgets
• Strengthen internal data capabilities for operational excellence, including integration with enterprise resource planning (ERP), human resources information systems, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact Assessment (MELIA) platforms enabling evidence-based decision-making across functions such as MELIA, Finance, People and Culture (P&C), and Strategic Planning. 

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Data Science, Information Systems, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related discipline with a focus on data architecture, governance, or applied analytics. 
• Minimum 10 years of experience leading institutional or programmatic data strategies and platforms, ideally in research, public-good, or international development organizations. 
• Proven track record in building and managing complex data ecosystems and driving data-enabled innovation across disciplines and functions. 
• Strong understanding of FAIR data principles, data governance frameworks, and digital public infrastructure. 
• Experience working with low- and middle-income countries, including knowledge of equity, access, and capacity challenges in digital transformation. 

Key Competencies

• Leadership skills with the ability to bridge data, technology, science, and institutional strategy. 
• Deep expertise in data architecture, standards, platforms, governance, and analytics. 
• Strategic thinking and delivery orientation, with strong program management and organizational change skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills, capable of engaging diverse stakeholders from scientists to policymakers. 
• Ability to develop and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams in multicultural and distributed environments. 
• Strong commitment to inclusivity, responsible data practices, and public-good data 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!