Practice Lead, Cybersecurity

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 foodsecure 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

CGIARs Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA) part of its P25 portfolio is driving the digital transformation of CGIAR and its 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 agrifood systems (AFS) that enable smallholder farmers to benefit from the digital revolution paving the way for a more equitable sustainable and inclusive transformation of smallholder 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 CGIARs 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 codevelop amongst others agriculturespecific LLMs and computervisionassisted phenotyping approaches.

As CGIAR deepens its digital transformation cybersecurity is missioncritical to protecting the trust integrity and resilience of its research data and operations. Operating at the institutional level and reporting to the Chief Digital Transformation Officer the Practice Lead Cybersecurity is CGIARs seniormost authority on cybersecurity responsible for safeguarding the organizations digital assets infrastructure and systems across its global operations. The Practice Lead Cybersecurity will lead the development and implementation of CGIARs global cybersecurity strategy ensuring robust governance risk management and compliance frameworks are in place to protect both science and operational systems.

Based in Abu Dhabi the Practice Lead Cybersecurity will collaborate closely with CGIAR Centers science programs and enabling functions to embed securebydesign principles build systemwide cyber resilience and establish a Center of Excellence on Cybersecurity to support best practices capacity building and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Purpose

• Lead the development and implementation of CGIARs institutional cybersecurity strategy ensuring alignment with CGIARs digital transformation agenda and enterprise risk management frameworks.
• Proactively manage systemwide cyber risks including threat intelligence incident response disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
• Oversee the implementation of securebydesign principles in all new system rollouts data initiatives and digital platforms to ensure builtin resilience from the outset.
• Lead regular audits and assessments including penetration testing vulnerability scans and compliance reviews in accordance with international standards and donor requirements.
• Ensure compliance with global data protection and cybersecurity regulations including GDPR and other regional requirements while upholding CGIARs commitments to open science and digital public goods.

Engagement

• Serve as CGIARs lead advisor on cybersecurity matters engaging with institutional leadership risk committees and internal audit functions to guide strategic decisions on digital risk and resilience.
• Engage with cybersecurity experts in CGIAR Centres to identify common priorities develop shared plans and exchange information and share best practices
• Represent CGIAR in global cybersecurity and digital trust networks with particular attention to cybersecurity standards and innovations relevant to research agriculture and sustainable development domains contributing to international best practices partnerships and thought leadership.

Delivery

• Design and oversee a comprehensive cybersecurity governance model for CGIARs federated system covering science platforms enterprise applications data infrastructure and cloud environments.
• Establish and lead a CGIARwide Center of Excellence on Cybersecurity delivering shared services technical standards training and advisory support to science and operational teams.
• Develop workplans and budgets for the development of CGIAR Center of Excellence on Cybersecurity.
• Oversee the timely implementation of the CGIARs global cybersecurity strategy.
• Develop and deliver cybersecurity capacitybuilding programs tailored to leadership technical teams and endusers across CGIARs global operations.

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in Cybersecurity Computer Science Information Systems or a related field.
• Industryrecognized certifications such as CISSP CISM or CISA are highly desirable.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in cybersecurity leadership roles in complex global or federated organizations.
• Proven success in implementing enterpriselevel cybersecurity strategies policies and technical controls.
• Experience managing cybersecurity across diverse digital environments including cloud data platforms AI and operational technology.
• Familiarity with compliance and risk frameworks in nonprofit research or international development sectors is an asset.
• Experienced in fostering a culture of shared responsibility trust and continuous improvement in cybersecurity practices.

Key Competencies

• Visionary and strategic thinker with a strong grasp of evolving cybersecurity trends risks and innovations.
• Excellent communicator able to convey complex cybersecurity issues to diverse audiences including executive leadership boards and donors.
• Strong technical acumen combined with systems thinking and a solutionoriented approach to institutional challenges.
• Skilled in building and mentoring geographically distributed technical teams and communities of practice.

Language

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

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 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 multicultural multicolor multigenerational and multidisciplinary 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 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!