The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for better and more sustainable use of livestock. ILRI is a CGIAR research centre – part of a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
Role Overview
This role requires an individual capable of leading through influence rather than authority. The Implementation Manager will be responsible for holding senior scientists accountable for delivery – a new approach within ILRI that will demand courage, tact, and clarity. To succeed, the individual must demonstrate gravitas and credibility to influence senior experts across disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
The Implementation Manager will be responsible for:
- Conduct daily check-ins with each technical component team to monitor progress against short-term goals and milestones.
- Track dependencies across teams and ensure timely delivery of internal handoffs.
- Identify operational bottlenecks or institutional challenges and coordinate with relevant ILRI units (e.g., P&C, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal) to resolve them swiftly.
- Escalate critical issues to the Investment Manager with suggested mitigation actions.
- Ensure alignment across component teams by facilitating structured collaboration and promoting a delivery-oriented culture.
- Prepare materials and inputs for bi-weekly and monthly review meetings.
- Support documentation of decisions, risks, and adaptations for internal and donor reporting.
- Collaborate with the Program Monitor to support adaptive management based on monitoring data.
- Work with teams to update workplans, timelines, and delivery maps as needed.
- Act as a trusted connector between science leads and institutional support teams.
- Support engagement with external stakeholders when operational issues intersect with delivery.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Public Administration, Agricultural/Livestock Sciences, or related field.
- At least 4 years of experience managing or coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder programs in an international development, science, business, or research environment.
- Demonstrated ability to manage timelines, multitask under pressure, and translate strategy into operational action.
- Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills; ability to work across cultures and disciplines.
- Experience using project management tools and dashboards (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Asana).
- Proven experience in building relationships with an ability to network effectively with high-level stakeholders.
- Excellent planning and organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural communication, and team building skills.
- Commitment to providing exceptional, courteous service to support ILRI staff.
- Familiarity with ILRI, CGIAR, or Gates Foundation processes is an asset.
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