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 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’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. 

As CGIAR deepens its digital transformation, cybersecurity is mission-critical 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 CGIAR’s senior-most authority on cybersecurity, responsible for safeguarding the organization’s digital assets, infrastructure, and systems across its global operations. The Practice Lead, Cybersecurity will lead the development and implementation of CGIAR’s 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 secure-by-design principles, build system-wide 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 CGIAR’s institutional cybersecurity strategy, ensuring alignment with CGIAR’s digital transformation agenda and enterprise risk management frameworks. 
• Proactively manage system-wide cyber risks, including threat intelligence, incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning. 
• Oversee the implementation of secure-by-design principles in all new system rollouts, data initiatives, and digital platforms to ensure built-in 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 CGIAR’s commitments to open science and digital public goods. 

Engagement

• Serve as CGIAR’s 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 CGIAR’s federated system, covering science platforms, enterprise applications, data infrastructure, and cloud environments. 
• Establish and lead a CGIAR-wide 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 CGIAR’s global cybersecurity strategy. 
• Develop and deliver cybersecurity capacity-building programs, tailored to leadership, technical teams, and end-users across CGIAR’s global operations.

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field. 
• Industry-recognized 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 enterprise-level 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 solution-oriented 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 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!