Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC)… at CGIAR · Rome

The Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) is an external, impartial standing panel of eight experts in scientific domains pertinent to CGIAR’s global mission of research for development. Members are appointed by the CGIAR Council (CC), the representative body of funders of CGIAR and country representatives.

Date published: Monday, 27 July 2026

Closing date for Applications: Monday 7 September 2026 at 4pm CEST

CGIAR’s mission is to deliver science and innovations that advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. ISDC provides rigorous, independent strategic advice to the CGIAR Council and the CGIAR System as a whole and is responsible for providing strategic oversight and ensuring robust, impartial assessment of the CGIAR Strategy, research structure and processes, funding requests, and research proposals. In addition, the ISDC leads:

• Foresight work to inform CGIAR’s longer-term research strategy;
• Horizon scanning to provide analysis on how emerging trends and developments can be considered in CGIAR’s work;
• Priority-setting exercises and analyses integrating both ex-post and ex-ante analyses.

Therefore, it is vital that ISDC includes skills, disciplines, and backgrounds relevant to the CGIAR research and innovation agenda. Learn about the current members here. ISDC members serve a three-year term that may be renewed for an additional three years. The CGIAR Council is currently recruiting up to two members to start in January and July 2027, respectively.

Who are we seeking

CGIAR is seeking to fill up to two ISDC member vacancies to join current serving members who represent a diverse group of recognized experts in their respective fields. The commencement date for one of the selected appointees would be January 1st, 2027. The other appointee is expected to start July 1st, 2027.

To assist CGIAR in maintaining an overall ISDC member composition that enables ISDC to deliver on its mandate in the context of CGIAR’s Research and Innovation Strategy, CGIAR is seeking candidates whose backgrounds, experience, and/or typical work environments reflect the regions where CGIAR work is focused. ISDC benefits from multidisciplinary researchers who value and have experience in agrifood systems and innovation approaches. ISDC is a proactive and output-driven Council that relies on the individual and collective work of its members, supported by a small secretariat.

Details on the role

Membership: ISDC consists of eight standing members, among them a Chair appointed by CGIAR Council based upon a merit-based, open and competitive selection process. ISDC is guided by Terms of Reference (TOR) and supported by a secretariat within the CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES).

Appointment: Members of ISDC are appointed by the CGIAR Council and accountable to it, with nominated candidates put forward by a nominations panel.

Representation: Members of ISDC serve in their personal capacity and must comply with IAES prevailing conflict of interest policy provisions for ISDC members.

Term: ISDC members are appointed for a three-year period, with a one-year assessment period to confirm continuation of the term, and the possibility of one additional three-year term.

Time commitment: Up to 25 days per calendar year, as determined by the ISDC Chair, supported by an honorarium, as outlined in the ISDC Member Competencies, time commitment and honorarium arrangements.

Activities: An approved annual workplan outlines the main activities. Members must attend a minimum of two in-person meetings a year and will be required to travel internationally to implement activities in line with the ISDC TOR. Other activities include attendance at virtual monthly meetings, writing tasks, including reviewing or commenting on materials sometimes with quick turnaround. Work outside normal office hours, depending on time zone, is expected.

Teamwork: Members must be willing to work as a team and are expected to volunteer to lead workstreams; ISDC members rotate leadership and management roles for workstreams with ISDC secretariat support. Members must value divergent scientific opinions and demonstrate a willingness to build consensus.

Criteria

• Applicants must possess a strong academic record in at least one of the following areas of scientific expertise related to agriculture, land, food and water systems: Plant breeding and genetics; Crop science; Agronomy, incl. agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; Water Resources and Irrigation Science; Soil Science; Animal science, including health and sustainability of animal-based systems.
• Applicants with expertise in plant breeding, genetics and genomics or animal science and livestock systems are particularly encouraged to apply to complement existing member competencies.
• CGIAR’s commitment to diversity: CGIAR fosters diversity that powers its innovation, contributes to excellence in its work and partnerships, and is critical for realizing its mission to deliver science and innovation that advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. Our priority is to appoint people that reflect our global character. CGIAR encourages qualified applicants from all cultures, races, geographies, ages, abilities, and genders. CGIAR is seeking candidates whose backgrounds, experience, and/or typical work environments reflect the regions where CGIAR work is focused, as a requirement to fill current membership gaps: South Asia; Southeast Asia & the Pacific; Central & West Asia & North Africa; East & Southern Africa; West & Central Africa.
• ISDC members are expected to demonstrate experience and/or expertise in several domains outlined in the member competencies framework. Consideration will be given to individuals who: Contribute to ensuring that when taken as a collective whole, the ISDC membership continues to bring a balance of scientific, programmatic, innovation, and development expertise relevant to food, land and water systems; Reflect eminence in their fields with internationally recognized achievements, not limited to scientific innovations and publications, in accordance with their current career progression and capacities to develop a systemic vision; Demonstrate the ability to work across different disciplines, integrating knowledge from various fields to address complex global challenges; Have the ability to recognize the mechanisms by which science and research deliver development and innovation outcomes in line with CGIAR’s mandate; Have the capacity to deliver strategic advice that benefits from diverse cultural, organizational, educational, training, and geographic backgrounds; Possess strong leadership and governance skills, with experience in guiding organizations and initiatives towards achieving strategic objectives.
• Good communication skills; English required and proficiency in other languages a bonus.
• Ability to work as/in a team and willingness to build consensus.

Eligibility

Based on the CGIAR IAES Conflict of Interest Policy, persons will not be eligible to be appointed to ISDC, and should not apply, if:

• A current employee or executing a material consultancy with CGIAR, or have been employed by or served as a material consultant to CGIAR at any time during the two years prior to the date of application;
• Actively serving on a CGIAR Board or any of its committees;
• Working directly in a Funder agency represented on the System Council;
• Other eligibility criteria may be considered during the process based on any potential perceived or actual conflicts based on the candidate’s past and current personal and professional affiliations.

Requirements for applications and nominations

Individual applications or nominations* of potentially qualified people are welcomed by 7 September 2026, and should be submitted with the following four documents:

• One-page cover letter (max 500 words) - stating the applicant/nominated person’s name, contact details, summary of expertise and experience, and suitability for the role based on the competencies listed. In case of a letter of nomination, please include details of the nominee and a statement regarding your relationship;
• Full curriculum vitae;
• The names and current contacts of three referees who provide a diverse group of persons to contact; and
• Declaration of past and/or current involvement with CGIAR and any potential perceived or real conflicts based on your past and current personal and professional affiliations, in accordance with the IAES Conflict of Interest Policy.

* In the case of nominations, confirmation of interest and availability from the nominated person must be provided.

Supported by an honorarium, as outlined in the ISDC Member Competencies, time commitment and honorarium arrangements.