CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.  For more information, visit https://www.cimmyt.org/

The Senior Consultant - Headhunter will manage and support end-to-end recruitment processes for globally advertised mid-to-senior level roles. The consultant will partner closely with hiring managers and the Talent Acquisition team to design sourcing strategies, engage diverse candidate pools, ensure inclusive and equitable hiring practices, and deliver high-quality recruitment outcomes within agreed timelines.

Recruitment Strategy & Execution

®      Proactive headhunting and direct sourcing: Identify, approach, and engage passive candidates through targeted headhunting, market mapping, and direct outreach, rather than relying on inbound applications alone.

®      Senior stakeholder engagement: Build credibility and manage relationships with senior stakeholders, including hiring managers, executive leadership, regional HR, and external partners, influencing and aligning them throughout the search.

®      Compliance and process rigor: Navigate and apply CIMMYT's recruitment policies and procedures, GEYSI standards, and host-institute requirements with rigor, ensuring every search is fully compliant and audit-ready end to end.

®      Autonomous delivery: Manage multiple concurrent searches with minimal supervision, setting own priorities and driving processes to closure across competing demands and shifting timelines.

®      Operating across a complex, matrixed landscape: Work effectively across a globally distributed, multi-stakeholder organization, partnering with hiring managers, regional HR, host institutions, and external vendors, often with ambiguous or evolving requirements.

®      International sourcing and on-site presence: Bring a genuinely international outlook to sourcing and candidate engagement across Africa, Asia, and LATAM.

Sourcing & Talent Pipeline Management

®      Develop and implement targeted sourcing strategies tailored to each role and region.

®      Identify and engage high-potential passive candidates through professional platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, academic networks, sector-specific boards).

®      Maintain and update candidate pipelines and sourcing trackers.

Screening & Evaluation

®      Conduct structured screening interviews using competency- and values-based approaches.

®      Prepare interview sheets and support interview panels with relevant evaluation tools.

®      Facilitate structured debriefs to support transparent and inclusive selection decisions.

Process Optimization & Stakeholder Engagement

®      Ensure a smooth, timely recruitment process that meets both candidate and hiring manager expectations.

®      Provide weekly updates to the Talent Acquisition Manager.

®      Recommend improvements to processes, tools, or communications based on candidate and hiring manager feedback.

Candidate Experience & Communication 

®      Ensure positive and respectful candidate interactions throughout the process.

®      Provide timely updates to candidates and hiring teams.

®      Support reference checks and offer coordination as needed.

Requirements

®      Minimum 12 years of experience in international recruitment, executive search, or talent acquisition.

®      Demonstrated success sourcing and hiring for complex, technical, and/or international mid-to-senior level roles.

®      Strong understanding of sourcing tools, Boolean search techniques, and sector-specific networks.

®      Experience working with or for mission-driven organizations, ideally in agriculture, research, development, or nonprofit sectors.

®      Excellent communication, organization, and stakeholder engagement skills.

®      Fluency in English is required; Spanish is a strong asset.

®      Experience with applicant tracking systems is required.

®    The selected candidate should exhibit the following competencies: Client Orientation, Critical and Creative Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Teamwork, and Communication.

Benefits