Country Representative - Pakistan

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is on the lookout for a dynamic leader to join our office in Lahore, Pakistan as the Country Representative - Pakistan.

This is an internationally recruited position; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate is expected to be based in Lahore, Pakistan.

Under the guidance of the Asia Director for Research Impact, the Country Representative is responsible for designing and leading the strategic research and operational direction in the country, ensuring alignment with national development priorities and research needs while overseeing a research-for-development portfolio and securing funding opportunities. The role involves managing in-country staff, fostering relationships with government bodies, national partners, donors, and civil society, and advocating for the organization’s mission through high-level engagements and the communication of research outputs. The Country Representative oversees office operations, risk management, financial reporting, and quality assurance for research portfolio management to ensure efficient and high-standard service delivery.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Main Purpose of Job:

• Design and lead the implementation of the strategic research and operational direction in the assigned country in line with the organization strategy, creating strong alignments to country development priorities and research needs.
• As the spokesperson for the organization in the country, represent the organization’s interests within the highest levels of governments, in line with the host-country agreement(s), national partners and research entities, to promote and advance the organization’s research agenda.
• Provide advice to senior management on opportunities, risks and trends related to research and program implementation.
• Lead and oversee the execution of a research-for-development portfolio, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategy, research goals and the context of the assigned country.
• Identify funding opportunities and develop and review project proposals to support fundraising in the assigned country.
• Identify, design and lead the implementation of innovative research projects in area of disciplinary expertise, leading to the delivery of high-quality scientific outputs, including peer-reviewed scientific papers, and development impacts.

Main engagement, collaboration and communication responsibilities:

• Manage the in- country/staff, fostering a collaborative, respectful and inclusive environment, overseeing staff well-being performance reviews, and identifying professional development opportunities.
• Lead and oversee the communication of research results and development impacts in a broad array of outlets, including peer reviewed journals, media, policy for development and national and international scientific conferences to promote uptake of organization and CGIAR research outputs, in coordination with communication and partnership unit(s).
• Advocate the organization’s interests, build relationships and identify opportunities for synergies with government bodies, national partners, (potential) donors, civil society and private sector, promoting the organization’s mission and research agenda and the priorities of the assigned country.
• Ensure alignment with CGIAR Centers and other (CGIAR) research programs in the region to maintain consistency in research strategy.
• Serve as IWMI’s primary representative for CGIAR programmatic coordination and integration at the country level, ensuring effective alignment and collaboration across CGIAR Initiatives and Science Programs, in liaison with leaders of strategic programs and projects, to maximize organizational impact and partnership outcomes.

Main responsibilities in the delivery of timely and quality services:

• Lead the management and operations of the country office, including risk management, security, business and management of resources, and (financial) reporting, in line with organization’s policies and procedures and effective collaboration with relevant functional units to ensure efficient and high-quality delivery.
• Lead and manage country office staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality, timely research, programs, and outputs that meet the requirements of partners, donors, and clients and contribute to achieving country and organizational objectives.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Education, Certifications & Trainings:

• PhD degree in water resources management, climate change adaptation or mitigation, international development, environmental science, geography, development economics, sociology, or a closely related field is preferred; alternatively, a Master’s degree in one of the aforementioned fields with experience equivalent to a PhD will be considered.

Experience:

• Experience developing and leading research for development programs related relevant to organization’s mission.
• Experience leading multi-cultural teams in different locations and engaging in systems thinking.
• Experience building and maintaining high level partnerships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including government, donors and experts, advocating research priorities, and fostering collaboration, having strong political acumen.
• Experience identifying funding opportunities, leading proposal development, and securing financial resources to support research programs. Is up to date on global fundraising trends and international donor landscapes.
• Experience working in an international not-for-profit research organization is an advantage.
• Experience producing high-quality written proposals, reports and academic papers with proven ability to communicate research results to stakeholders at different management levels in multiple countries

Selected Technical Competencies:

• Project/ Program Management: Monitors project and portfolio delivery, manages budgets and risks effectively, intervening when needed to maintain progress, manages large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders, and establishes project management tools and work plans with clear targets and indicators for successful implementation and impact.
• Resource Mobilization: Develops and implements strategic resource mobilization plans, negotiates and secures long-term partnerships and funding, and uses data-driven strategies to forecast and meet goals aligned with organizational priorities.
• Water, Land and Agricultural Development Expertise: Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of water, land, and agricultural development challenges and opportunities at national and regional levels, applying this understanding to inform strategic planning, program design, and the effective delivery of regional initiatives.

Selected Leadership Competencies:

• Builds trust and respect by actively engaging with stakeholders, responding to their needs, aligning innovation strategies with stakeholder priorities, keeping them informed of developments, and driving collaborative efforts.
• Leads and supports change initiatives by inspiring adaptability, addressing barriers, monitoring progress and using proactive consultation and engagement approaches.
• Anticipates and evaluates risks within team(s) or function(s), ensuring alignment with business goals and compliance requirements, implements proactive risk mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrates commitment to the organization's vision and mission by aligning contributions with organizational goals and balancing short- and long-term objectives in decision-making and introducing and adapting to emerging technologies.

Languages:

• Essential: Fluency in English is essential to communicate in writing and speaking.
• Desirable: Working knowledge of a second language spoken in Pakistan (preferably Urdu).

Benefits

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. Internationally recruited staff who are employed at a duty station outside of their home base/country of nationality will also receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for eligible dependents. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on September 23, 2026 (Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, and early applications are strongly encouraged). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes 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 working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our 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.