Chief of Staff and Board Secretary
Reference number: 2026020
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Global Position
Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
Landscape Alliance
Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to
advance planetary health and human well-being. Landscape Alliance is the operating name of the Center for International
Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF). CIFOR and ICRAF are
independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers.
Landscape Alliance is looking for a
Chief of Staff and Board Secretary
Overview
Landscape Alliance works at the nexus of five interconnected areas Biodiversity, Climate, Value chains, Food, Equity where trees can make a difference. Landscape Alliance connects science with action, creating solutions from the ground up through inclusive partnerships, transdisciplinary research, and demand-driven innovation. Our vision is “An equitable world in which viable livelihoods in resilient landscapes foster well-being for people, trees and the environment.”
The Chief of Staff and Board Secretary strengthens executive effectiveness and institutional governance by leading the Office of the CEO, supporting the CEO’s strategic priorities, and serving as Board Secretary to the Board of Trustees. The role ensures that executive and Board decisions are well prepared, accurately recorded, clearly communicated and followed through to delivery across Landscape Alliance
Duties and responsibilities
Executive Advisory and Leadership of the
Office of the CEO
Provide strategic advice to the
CEO on institutional priorities, sequencing, positioning, risks and decision
readiness to support effective executive leadership.Ensure the CEO is well prepared
for Board, leadership, government and institutional engagements through
high-quality briefing notes, decision papers, talking points and structured
follow-up.Lead the Office of the CEO by
strengthening work planning, budgeting, systems, quality control and
information flow that enable timely executive action.Supervise, mentor and develop
Office of the CEO staff, setting clear standards for accuracy, discretion,
responsiveness and service to the CEO and institutional leadership.Serve as the delegated link
between the CEO and the Senior Leadership Team, representing the CEO in
internal forums as requested and ensuring key messages, commitments and
follow-up actions are advanced. CEO and the Senior Leadership Team and
represent the CEO in internal fora as requested.
Board Secretariat and Governance
Leadership
Serve as Board Secretary and
principal liaison to the Board of Trustees and its Committees, enabling
effective governance, informed decision-making and clear communication between
the Board, CEO and management.Lead the full cycle of Board
and Committee business, including the governance calendar, agenda setting,
papers, logistics, documentation and follow-up, so that meetings are well
prepared and decisions are actioned on time.Ensure Board packs,
resolutions, minutes and action trackers are accurate, quality assured, issued
on time and maintained as reliable records of governance decisions and
follow-through.Advise the CEO and Board Chair
on governance protocols, bylaws, timelines and compliance requirements to
support transparent, efficient and policy-aligned Board operations.Oversee the Governance Archive
and digital governance systems, ensuring secure access, version control and
records retention that support institutional memory, accountability and
compliance.Oversee statutory filings,
governance-related audits and reporting obligations, ensuring that
institutional governance requirements are met accurately, transparently and
within required timelines.Oversee
preparation and monitoring of the annual Board budget, ensuring resources are
planned and managed to support effective Board and Committee operations.
Decision Follow Through and Institutional
Coordination
Translate Board and Committee
decisions into management actions with named owners, deadlines and reporting
routes.Maintain and report on a
consolidated tracker of Board, Committee and Senior Leadership Team
commitments.Coordinate the preparation of
management responses to Board, audit, assurance and internal control findings.Drive coordination between the
Office of the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, Research, Corporate Services, Legal
and Human Resources so that decisions are implemented consistently.Escalate
slippage, unresolved issues and emerging institutional risk to the CEO with
proposed courses of action.
Special Initiatives for Institutional
Effectiveness
Lead or coordinate special
projects mandated by the CEO, including organizational change, governance
reform, policy review and institutional risk matters.Assemble task teams, design
workplans and deliver against agreed milestones across functions.Prepare analysis and options
papers on matters of institutional, legal or reputational significance.Support Board
level processes including the CEO performance review cycle, Board effectiveness
reviews, and Trustee recruitment and onboarding, in coordination with the Board
Chair.
Executive and Governance Communications
Prepare and quality assure CEO,
Board Chair and Board Secretary communications so that institutional decisions,
governance matters and official positions are clear, accurate and appropriately
framed.Coordinate with Communications
and Outreach to ensure that internal communications on institutional decisions,
Board outcomes and organizational priorities are timely, consistent and aligned
with the CEO’s direction.Safeguard
consistency and quality of governance-related messaging to staff, Trustees,
funders and partners, ensuring communications support transparency,
accountability and institutional confidence.
Institutional Representation and
Stakeholder Liaison
Strengthen trusted, responsive
and professional engagement with Trustees to support effective Board
governance, timely information flow and well-prepared decision-making.Coordinate interaction between
the Board, senior leadership, external auditors, legal counsel and other
external parties to ensure governance matters are accurately documented,
clearly communicated and followed through.Represent the CEO as delegated
in meetings and engagements, ensuring that commitments, risks and follow-up
actions are captured, communicated and advanced in support of institutional
delivery.Provide
governance and assurance input for funder due diligence, institutional
compliance and partnership requirements, ensuring responses are accurate,
coordinated and aligned with Landscape Alliance standards and good governance
practice.
Other Responsibilities
Identify and mitigate potential
risks within your work area.Take reasonable care of own
occupational health and safety and that of others as obliged by Landscape
Alliance’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy and cooperate with Landscape
Alliance in complying with requirements under any statutory health and safety
provisions of relevant country laws.Landscape Alliance is committed
to ensuring the safety, wellbeing and dignity of children, adults at risk,
staff, consultants, interns, board members and stakeholders. Safeguarding and
risk management measures protect these individuals from harm, abuse, neglect or
exploitation. Where a concern arises, Landscape Alliance reserves the right to
take appropriate action to safeguard individuals and mitigate risks. All
information provided will be treated confidentially and in line with Landscape
Alliance safeguarding and risk management policies.
Requirements
An advanced degree in a
relevant field, including but not limited to public administration, law,
governance, international relations, development studies, political science or
business.At least 10 years of
progressively responsible experience in executive office leadership, governance
or board secretariat functions within an international, research,
intergovernmental or comparably complex organization.Demonstrated experience serving
as, or directly supporting, a Board Secretary, including agenda setting, minute
taking, resolution drafting and decision tracking at board level.Proven track record of advising
senior executives and translating strategy and board direction into execution
across functions.Experience leading
institutional change, governance reform or special projects carrying legal or
reputational sensitivity.Strong command of governance
principles, organizational bylaws, compliance frameworks and risk oversight.Experience supervising and
developing staff.Exceptional drafting,
analytical and communication skills, with the ability to produce board quality
documents under tight deadlines.Proficiency in digital
governance platforms such as Diligent Boards, and in MS Office Suite.High integrity, discretion and
proven capacity to handle confidential and sensitive information.Sound political judgement and
the ability to hold a neutral, institutional posture in contested situations.Ability to manage multiple
priorities under pressure without loss of accuracy.Ability to work effectively
across multicultural and international environments.
Education, knowledge and experience
?An advanced degree in a relevant field, including but not limited to public administration, law, governance, international relations, development studies, political science or business.
?At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in executive office leadership, governance or board secretariat functions within an international, research, intergovernmental or comparably complex organization.
?Demonstrated experience serving as, or directly supporting, a Board Secretary, including agenda setting, minute taking, resolution drafting and decision tracking at board level.
?Proven track record of advising senior executives and translating strategy and board direction into execution across functions.
?Experience leading institutional change, governance reform or special projects carrying legal or reputational sensitivity.
?Strong command of governance principles, organizational bylaws, compliance frameworks and risk oversight.
?Experience supervising and developing staff.
?Exceptional drafting, analytical and communication skills, with the ability to produce board quality documents under tight deadlines.
?Proficiency in digital governance platforms such as Diligent Boards, and in MS Office Suite.
?High integrity, discretion and proven capacity to handle confidential and sensitive information.
?Sound political judgement and the ability to hold a neutral, institutional posture in contested situations.
?Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure without loss of accuracy.
?Ability to work effectively across multicultural and international environments.
Terms and conditions
- This is a Globally Recruited Position (GRS). Landscape Alliance offers competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
- The initial appointment will be for two (2) years, with a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
- The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya Landscape Alliance Offices.
- The application will be on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
- The interviews are scheduled to take place on 18 September and 21 September 2026.
Application process
The application deadline is 15 Sep 2026.
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.