Senior Administrator, Governance & Strategic Partnerships at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Duties and responsibilities

• Secretariat Leadership & Governance Management
• Serve as the principal liaison and administrative lead for the Board of Trustees and its Committees.
• Manage the full cycle of Board and Committee meetings: planning, scheduling, logistics, agenda-setting, documentation, and follow-up.
• Ensure all governance processes adhere to CIFOR-ICRAF bylaws, policies, and good governance practices.
• Support the CEO and Board Chair in preparing briefing notes, decision papers, and official governance-related communications.
• Board Meetings, Documentation & Records
• Prepare, review, and quality-assure all Board documents, including meeting packs, resolutions, minutes, and action trackers.
• Ensure all decisions and actions are accurately recorded, monitored, and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain an organized, secure, and up-to-date Governance Archive, including policies, Board instruments, and statutory records.
• Manage digital governance systems (e.g., Diligent Boards), ensuring accuracy, version control, and accessibility for Trustees
• Compliance, Policy Oversight & Institutional Governance
• Monitor compliance with internal policies, legal requirements, donor requirements, and good-governance standards.
• Contribute to statutory filings, governance-related audits, and official governance reporting.
• Review governance policies, charters, and procedures and support updates or revisions as required.
• Advise the CEO and Board Chair on governance protocols, timelines, and compliance considerations
• Strategic and Executive Support
• Provide high-level administrative and organizational support to the CEO and Board Chair on governance-related matters.
• Draft correspondence, statements, and official notifications on behalf of the Board Chair, Board Secretary (where distinct), and CEO.
• Conduct background research and prepare concise summaries to support Board deliberations and decision-making.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Trustees, ensuring effective communication and timely response to inquiries.
• Coordinate interactions between the Board, senior leadership, donors, auditors, and external partners where governance matters arise.
• Uphold confidentiality, professionalism, and institutional integrity in all interactions.
• Strategic Partnerships & Business Development Support
• Support the CEO in expanding and diversifying CIFOR-ICRAF’s donor base by identifying, cultivating, and strengthening relationships with new and existing funders, including bilateral and multilateral donors, foundations, development banks, and other strategic financing partners.
• Coordinate and support high-level engagement with funders involving the CEO, senior leadership, and Trustees, including preparation of briefing materials, background notes, and meeting documentation.
• Maintain an overview of strategic donor relationships, engagement pipelines, and key touchpoints to support informed decision-making by the CEO and senior leadership.
• Support the CEO’s Office in monitoring trends in the funding landscape and identifying opportunities for new partnerships aligned with CIFOR-ICRAF’s strategic priorities.
• Research, Documentation, and Knowledge Management
• Conduct background research to support governance matters, institutional benchmarking, and policy development.
• Maintain an organized and up-to-date Governance Archive, including Board resolutions, bylaws, policies, and governing instruments.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Law, Business Administration, International Relations, Governance, or a related field.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification or professional certification in governance is an asset.
• At least 7–10 years of experience in governance, executive administration, or Board Secretariat functions within an international, research, intergovernmental or complex organizational environment.
• Strong track record in minute-taking, agenda-setting, decision tracking, and stakeholder coordination.
• Experience supporting or acting as a Board Secretary is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting senior executives in fundraising, donor engagement, partnership development, or resource mobilization processes within an international or development-oriented organization is highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of governance principles, organizational bylaws, and oversight processes.
• Strong understanding of donor landscapes, partnership models, and governance considerations underpinning institutional funding relationships.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong analytical and drafting abilities.
• High integrity, discretion, and capacity to manage confidential information.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.