Chief Strategy Officer

Job ID:

HQ01839

Location

Philippines

Closing Date

30-Sep-2025

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Reporting directly to the Director General of IRRI, the Chief Strategy Officer will be one of the key architects implementing the IRRI 5-year Strategy, driving Business Development and Strategic Partnerships for collaboration and resource mobilization and understanding how well the strategy is achieving its ambitions. You will exert significant influence on IRRI's success, refining the approach as you go and enabling impact by pioneering efficiency and empowerment for the organization to exceed its ambitious objectives.

To strategically lead and optimize IRRI's Business Development and Resource Mobilization as part of a team, ensuring robust, risk-compliant, and efficient results against key targets. As a key member of the IRRI Leadership Team, the CSO will drive organizational excellence by developing a comprehensive business development & portfolio management strategy with the appropriate teams in IRRI, at the institutional, regional and country levels that are fully integrated with IRRI's research strategy. Much of this work will require collaboration and a collegiate mindset, working with others and next-generation teamwork.

This role strengthens the focus of IRRI's program portfolio by improving project design, articulation, implementation, best-in-class partnerships and continuously improving implementation processes, enhancing new partnerships and stakeholder accountability through a seamless integration of Corporate strategy, Business development, Resource Mobilization, Monitoring and Evaluation, Program Quality, Regional office integration and Communication Divisions.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and is open for international applications.

• Contribute to the development of a comprehensive business development & portfolio management strategy in conjunction with the appropriate teams at IRRI, at the institutional, regional and country levels that are fully integrated with IRRI's research strategy
• Lead a fully integrated fundraising and partnership related resource mobilization and development strategy to achieve institutional financial growth along with the Director General
• Update and modernize IRRI's partnerships to strengthen IRRI's capacity to deliver impact through key relationships, partners and stakeholders
• Enhance and document donor funding policies and trends to ensure effective internal controls
• Provide proactive leadership for the IRRI Regional Directors to ensure that they engage with key partners as ambassadors for IRRI and its mission, develop appropriate regional and country level revenue-generation strategies, identify, assess and progress revenue generation opportunities
• Ensure IRRI's Communications & Engagement strategies effectively promote IRRI's Research and strengthen the impact of the IRRI brand using facts and evidence to build the case
• Collaborate with the DG to develop and implement IRRI's strategic goals and initiatives
• Serve as a liaison to the DG and internal/external stakeholders, ensuring effectively communication and coordination
• Represent the DG as delegated and promote IRRI's mission through strategic engagement
• Develop and manage partner and client relationships in order to build pipeline and grow revenue
• Collaborate with respective team members to determine partnerships, business development and sales strategies as appropriate
• Oversee and manage complex, cross-functional projects that advance IRRI's mission  and contribute to its impact on global food systems transformation and poverty reduction
• Optimize workflows and ensure resources are allocated efficiently to support IRRI's research and development activities
• Monitor - key initiatives and enable metrics to track strategic implementation and performance delivery at a whole of organization level
• Prepare executive briefings and reports on Business Development services' contributions to institutional goals
• Represent the DG at strategic donor, partner, and government meetings alongside other staff to raise IRRI's visibility, value and engage with new resource activities

• Facilitate the development and implementation of Regional Offices policies, protocols, and systems that improve operational efficiency in the Regions through working closely with the COO.

• Advanced degree in Business Administration / Development / Management, or any related field with minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in managing business development functions, preferably within international organization

Mandatory

• Demonstrated success in strategic leadership and organizational change
• Resource Mobilization

Preferred

• Experience managing operational teams in multicultural, multi-location environments
• Experience working in developing and emerging economies

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.