Corporate Governance Officer

**Reports to**: General Counsel (Governance and Corporate)
**Location**: Cairo, Egypt
Main purpose of the position
The Corporate Governance Officer will serve as the primary coordinator for the ICARDA Board of Trustees. The incumbent will provide high-level administrative, logístical, and governance support to ensure the efficient functioning of the Board and its committees, in line with international standards of corporate governance in intergovernmental organizations.
**About ICARDA**:
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is an international autonomous, non-profit research organization supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
**Main responsibilities**:
Board Coordination and Support
- Serve as the Secretariat support to the Board of Trustees and its committees.
- Coordinate and prepare materials for Board meetings, including agendas, background documents, and action logs.
- Manage the timely submission, verification, proofreading, and quality assurance of all documentation submitted to the Board.
- Upload and maintain accurate records of Board documents on Diligent Boards and other governance platforms.

Logistical and Administrative Support
- Coordinate Board meeting logistics, including virtual/hybrid/in-person meeting arrangements.
- Facilitate travel arrangements, per diem payments, and honorarium processing for Board members.
- Support the agenda-setting process for the Board Chair and maintain proactive engagement with all Board members.
- Act as the primary point of contact for Board members regarding administrative or procedural queries.

Governance and Policy Development
- Proactively identify areas of improvement within existing governance practices and propose policy updates or new governance frameworks.
- Ensure alignment of ICARDA’s governance practices with international standards and CGIAR policies.
- Support the General Counsel in corporate governance reviews, policy formulation, and institutional compliance initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Foster active and effective communication among Board members and between the Board and ICARDA Management.
- Draft formal correspondence, summaries, and briefing notes as required.
- Represent the Governance Office with professionalism and diplomatic tact, especially in cross-cultural settings.

**Requirements**:
**Education, qualifications, and experience**:

- A university degree in Law, International Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification is desirable.
- Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in governance, legal affairs, or board/committee coordination in an international, intergovernmental, or nonprofit organization.
- Prior experience supporting governance bodies or Boards of Trustees is highly desirable.
- Prior experience with CGIAR or a similar research-for-development organization is a strong asset.
- Hands-on experience with Diligent Boards and other board governance platforms.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Arabic and/or French is an asset.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and document management skills.
- Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills, with experience working in diverse, multicultural environments.
- Proactive, solutions-oriented, and capable of working independently and under pressure.
- High attention to detail, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information.

**Benefits**:
**Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits**: