Senior Director, Agriculture

Department

Development Economics Center

About the Department

The Development Innovation Lab at the University of Chicago uses the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. It was founded and is led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer.

Job Summary

The job manages a team of managers and professional staff responsible for scientific research projects and research facilities. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. Manages the production of articles, reports, and manuscripts, and presents research findings at meetings and/ or conferences.

The Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago is seeking a full-time Senior Director to provide leadership in the management and policy outreach for the Innovation Commission (IC) on Climate Change, Food Security and Agriculture, one of DIL’s flagship projects. The IC brings together an independent, diverse, and high-level group of Commissioners, which includes former heads of state and cabinet ministers, leaders in international organizations and civil society, and is chaired by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer. The IC promotes innovation development and scaling at the intersection of climate change, food security, and agriculture.

The Senior Director will work closely with DIL Faculty Director and IC Chair, Michael Kremer, the IC Secretariat Executive Director, Paul Winters and the DIL Executive Director in leading the IC Secretariat. The Senior Director will be responsible for overall management of the secretariat including managing the research-related activities and policy outreach activities. To be successful they will need to have strong experience working in complex settings at the nexus of research or development policy, be a highly dynamic and analytical individual who can excel in a diverse set of responsibilities from working with partners to translating academic research into policy documents that are accessible to a broad audience.

The Senior Director will also be a member of DIL’s senior management team and will have the opportunity to help drive forward the Lab’s policy work.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the IC Secretariat in a manner that makes it possible to achieve the objectives of the IC. This is achieved by coordinating with IC Chair and IC Secretariat Executive Director and managing the work of subordinates, including IC Directors, the Senior Manager and their teams. In this capacity, oversees the daily operations of the IC Secretariat and ensures timely action to ensure smooth operation of the Secretariat.

• Performs tasks requiring independent judgment and analysis, including overseeing the writing of key IC reports and high-level outreach to Commission members, heads of NGOs, current and former heads of state, heads of international organizations and other high-level individuals.

• Engages and establishes strong working relationships and collaborative arrangements with relevant stakeholders in selected low- and middle-income countries to advance the agenda of the IC.

• Works with the DIL Leadership Team to ensure a well-functioning IC Secretariat including assessing strengths and gaps in current Secretariat workflow, processes, and procedures and overseeing the management of budgets.

• Develops long-range plans for research projects and oversees the development of research projects. Ensures research projects progress according to plan.

• Manages, investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology. Oversees the establishment of goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines. Develops research in area of expertise. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Presents research findings at meetings and/or conference.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Masters’ degree in economics, public policy, sustainable development or related field.

Experience:

• Twelve or more years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD degree in economics, public policy, sustainable development or related field.

• Prior e