Careers at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Global Mobility Vision

• Design and implement a forward-looking global mobility strategy aligned with CIMMYT’s global research agenda and long-term talent needs.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to HR leadership on global mobility trends, risk, cost optimization, and workforce deployment models.
• Develop and refine policies and frameworks that support cost-effective and scalable mobility solutions, including short-term secondments and/or long-term international placements.
• Monitor global mobility trends and recommend innovative solutions to enhance CIMMYT’s competitive edge in attracting and retaining top international talent.

 International Assignment Lifecycle Management

• Oversee end-to-end management of international assignments (relocation and onboarding, insurances, payroll processing, labor, tax as applicable, offboarding) for international assignees and consultants ensuring smooth transitions and support to staff, consultants and families.
• Collaborate closely with the recruitment team to ensure seamless handovers of internationally recruited employees, from offer acceptance to relocation and onboarding.
• Ensure high-quality service delivery and positive employee experience through all stages of international placement.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts to streamline assignment processes and adopt new technologies or vendors where appropriate.

Policy Development, Risk & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and review global mobility policies and frameworks, ensuring alignment with legal and tax requirements in both home and host countries.
• Develop and present training materials according to needs.
• Ensure adherence to compliance standards, including immigration laws, employer taxation if applicable, and labor laws, mitigating risks associated with international assignments.
• Keep up to date with changes in global mobility regulations and advise management on necessary adjustments to policies or processes.
• Attend regulatory and donor audit requirements as required.

Stakeholder & Partnership Management

• Act as an escalation point for complex HR related cases involving immigration, taxation and labor risk.
• Develop strong relationships with external vendors and partners to ensure the best support for international staff and consultants.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous feedback across functional teams and with globally mobile employees.

Data & Systems Oversight

• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of international staff records in CIMMYT’s HRIS and manage the timely updates to ensure compliance.
• Use data analytics to assess and report on the effectiveness of the global mobility function, including cost management, assignment success, and employee satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities for process automation and system improvements to enhance operational efficiency in global mobility management.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and manage the global mobility team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and excellence in customer service.
• Provide coaching and professional development opportunities for the team to build internal capacity and maintain high standards in delivery service.
• Set clear performance objectives, monitor progress, and support the team in achieving departmental and organizational goals.
• Model proactive leadership, strategic thinking, and global HR acumen.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in human resources, International Business, Law, or a related field.

Experience

• 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with a minimum of 8 years specializing in global mobility and international assignment management.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing and executing HR strategies across diverse, multicultural environments.
• Proven track record managing international assignments, including international assignees administration, relocation, and cross-border HR programs.

Skills and Attributes

• In-depth understanding of international labor law, expatriate taxation, immigration regulations, global compensation frameworks, and assignment types.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with the ability to effectively influence and negotiate at all organizational levels.
• Highly organized, strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Fluent in English; Spanish language skills are an asset.
• Adaptable and culturally aware, with experience working across regions and time zones.

Competencies

• Strategic HR Leadership
• Global Mobility Program Design & Management
• Cross-cultural Communication
• Policy Development and Compliance
• Change Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Conflict Resolution
• Decision-Making and Analytical Thinking

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Summary of responsibilities:

Procurement and Vendor Management

• Procurement Coordination.
  • Coordinate procurement processes for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), ensuring compliance with organizational policies and guidelines.
  • Raise ESA CAPEX requisitions and ensure timely follow-up with procurement teams.
• Vendor Management.
  • Evaluate vendor performance to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
  • Upload vendor performance reports for access by the team.

Germplasm Movement.

• Process SMTAs (Standard Material Transfer Agreements) for germplasm movement, ensuring adherence to legal and procedural requirements.
• Maintain an updated database of germplasm movement records.
• Manage the processing of KeMHPIS documents, oversee DHL shipments and logistics clearance, and coordinate with procurement to ensure seamless execution.

Grants and Financial Management

• Subgrant Management.
  • Draft and upload subgrant agreements on SGM and ICERTIS platforms.
  • Maintain an updated Subgrants Tracker.
  • Upload partner documents for payments.
  • Notify partners of payments and track confirmation of receipt.
  • Donations Management.
  • Coordinate donations, ensuring proper documentation and alignment with applicable
    project goals.

Asset Management.

• Maintain the DCP ESA assets register, ensuring accurate records of storage, maintenance,
  and usage.
• Coordinate periodic audits to ensure accountability.

Knowledge Management

• On-line information repositories.
  • Lead and manage the upload of critical project information on platforms such as Teamwork and PMP.
  • Support the program Manager to develop and oversee a detailed calendar of critical
    project milestones and necessary follow-ups.

Program and Team Support

• Provide clerical support to the ADCIN Steering Committee, including documentation, meeting organization, and communication follow-ups.
• Maintain an organized repository of ADCIN documentation for easy access.
• Support DCP scientists:
  • Raising purchase requisitions (PRs).
  • Organizing internal team meetings.
  • Processing non-HSBC (credit card) expenses.
  • Ensuring timely documentation and follow-up on action points from meetings.
• Teamwork: contribute to DCP’s Admin Team success by learning new tasks, rotating responsibilities, covering for each other during leaves, etc.

Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Post and maintain breeding team, Subgrants, Procurement, ADCIN, Donations, Assets, SMTAs, and other documentation on DCP Teams to ensure accessibility and proper knowledge management.
• Implement a structured folder system to enhance document retrieval efficiency.

Requirements:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communications, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience as an administrative assistant or similar role, preferably in an international or non-profit organization setting.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiar with administrative
  management systems and cloud-based platforms.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to multitask.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English; Swahili is desirable.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment and under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and well within teams.