The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit the Head of ICT, Data Systems and Digital Transformation. The incumbent will be responsible to ensure that ILRI’s digital infrastructure, data capabilities, and innovation systems are fit-for-purpose, scalable, and aligned with its scientific and institutional goals.
The role will provide strategic oversight across three interdependent areas:
- Digital strategy and transformation, with an emphasis on emerging technologies including AI and analytics;
- Data and research systems that support FAIR principles, interoperability, and actionable insights; and
- Core ICT operations, including infrastructure, service delivery, and business applications.
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve people’s lives in low- and middle-income countries through livestock science that contributes to equitable and resilient livestock systems to deliver food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits. It is one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org
Key Responsibilities
Digital Transformation
- Strategic Vision & Leadership: Develop and lead ILRI’s digital transformation and data strategy leveraging AI, analytics, and emerging technologies (including Gen AI), ensuring alignment with the 2030 Corporate Strategy and long-term institutional goals.
- Operational Management & Innovation: Oversee departmental planning, budgeting, and performance management to ensure cost-effective delivery of high-impact data and digital solutions while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Governance & Policy Development: Establish and implement policies, standards, and governance frameworks (including business continuity plans) to ensure secure, efficient, and strategic use of digital technologies across ILRI.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify digital needs and co-create solutions; build partnerships with CGIAR Centers, academia, industry, and vendors to access shared services, technologies, and innovation pipelines.
- Talent Development & Change Leadership: Provide strategic leadership in staff development, mentoring, and change management to build a digitally capable workforce and ensure delivery of KPIs and SLAs institutional wide.
Data and Research Systems
- AI-Enabled Data Strategy: Provide strategic oversight for the collection, management, and analysis of complex research datasets using AI, and advanced analytics to enable evidence-based decision-making and maximize research impact.
- Data Governance & Compliance: Maintain and enforce robust data governance policies to safeguard integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards, ensuring compliance with FAIR principles and global regulations (e.g., GDPR) while preparing datasets for AI-readiness.
- Collaborative Digital Innovation: Partner with researchers and departments to design and prototype human-centred digital tools that streamline research workflows and enhance scientific outputs.
- Digital Solutions for Science: Lead the design and delivery of agile, user-centred research and business applications, ensuring secure, scalable platforms that support ILRI’s research agenda and global data sharing needs.
ICT Operations
- Service Management & Process Optimization: Implement ITIL-based service management frameworks and optimized workflows to deliver consistent, SLA-driven support and seamless user experiences.
- Strategic IT Partnership: Position the ICT department as a trusted business partner across ILRI, providing proactive, responsive and value-driven support and technical backstopping to research, business, and regional teams globally.
- Infrastructure Leadership: Govern the evolution of ILRI’s IT infrastructure, comprising networks, servers, and communication platforms, integrating automation and AI to enhance efficiency and reliability.
- Cybersecurity & Risk Mitigation: Lead organization-wide information security strategy, including policy development, threat detection, vulnerability management, and business continuity planning to minimise risks.
- Innovation & Compliance: Drive adoption of emerging technologies through structured scouting and pilot programs, ensuring IT systems comply with global security standards and institutional policies.
Requirements
- Advanced degree i.e PhD, MSC, Masters in Information Systems or MBA equivalent with significant relevant experience.
9 years’ experience with PhD or fifteen years’ relevant experience with masters and progressively responsible experience in leadership roles overseeing digital transformations and data science in a research or academic environment. Experience in digital strategic planning, budgeting, and people management by delivering efficient and effective digital leadership and delivering technology solutions within a global/international organizational setting. While technical acumen is important, success in this role will depend equally on interest and track record on strategic thinking, change management, and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural, decentralized environment. Ability to build trust and alignment across scientific, operational, and regional teams in a matrixed and multi-stakeholder environment. Capacity to influence without authority and to navigate institutional complexity through strategic communication, listening, and coalition-building. Ability to translate technical vision into organizational priorities and to adapt messaging for diverse cultural and disciplinary audiences. Ability to manage some ambiguity, balancing institutional priorities, and supporting teams through change and transformation. Ability to communicate with a diverse group of stakeholders and influence change through relationship and referential power Ability to build and strengthen partnership with internal teams — including researchers, country offices, and operational units is essential, as is the ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement and digital learning.
Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Terms of Appointment: This position is at job level HG 20, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive international salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical insurance, life insurance and allowances for: education, housing, security, relocation, and home leave.
Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role, and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. The applications will be addressed to the Head of People and Culture and submitted through our recruitment portal by clicking on \"Apply Now\" on or before 13 September 2025.
The position title and reference number: REF: ICT /08/2025 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.
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