Leadership Meeting Facilitator, CGIAR Sustainable Farming Program (C-KEN-26-01)

The International Potato Center (CIP), on behalf of the CGIAR Sustainable Farming Program (SFP), is seeking an experienced International Consultant to design, facilitate and document the SFP Leadership Meeting to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 26–28 August 2026. The consultant will work closely with the Program Management Unit (PMU) and the Program Director to develop an engaging, results-oriented meeting agenda, facilitate strategic discussions among the Program's leadership, and produce high-quality meeting documentation that captures key decisions, priorities and agreed actions. The consultancy will support effective collaboration, strategic alignment and evidence-based decision-making across the Program's five Areas of Work.

Objective of the Service: The objective of this consultancy is to provide expert facilitation services for the CGIAR Sustainable Farming Program Leadership Meeting by designing and delivering a structured, participatory and outcomes-focused workshop that enables strategic planning, strengthens coordination across the Program, and supports informed decision-making. The consultant will also ensure that discussions, decisions and action points are accurately documented to facilitate effective follow-up and implementation of agreed priorities.

Deliverables:

1. Pre-meeting planning

· Review the draft agenda and background documentation.

· Hold planning discussions with the Program Director, Program Coordinator and selected session leads.

· Refine the agenda and recommend facilitation approaches, discussion formats and decision-making processes.

· Develop a meeting design and facilitation methodology, including session guides, discussion questions and decision points.

2. Facilitation of the Leadership Meeting

· During the leadership meeting, the consultant will:

· Facilitate all plenary and group discussions in accordance with the agreed agenda and facilitation methodology.

· Create an inclusive, engaging and participatory environment that encourages constructive dialogue and enables all participants to contribute effectively.

· Guide discussions to ensure they remain focused, productive and aligned with the intended outcomes of each session.

· Employ appropriate facilitation techniques to encourage critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving and consensus building.

· Effectively manage time, participation and group dynamics to ensure balanced engagement and timely completion of the agenda.

· Support session leads in managing discussions, clarifying key messages and guiding participants towards informed decisions.

· Help the Leadership Team identify emerging themes, areas of convergence and divergence, and opportunities for collaboration across Areas of Work.

· Summarize key discussion points, decisions and agreed actions at the end of each session to confirm a shared understanding among participants.

· Work closely with the Program Coordinator and designated rapporteur(s) to ensure key discussions, decisions and action points are accurately captured throughout the meeting.

3. Documentation and Reporting

· Capture key discussions, decisions and recommendations.

· Prepare a concise meeting report.

· Develop an action tracker with responsibilities and timelines.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration or any other relevant discipline.
• At least 15 years' experience facilitating high-level strategic meetings.
• Demonstrated experience designing high-level strategic, participatory and results-oriented meetings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Experience working with CGIAR or other international research organizations is an advantage.
• Availability to travel to Kigali, Rwanda.

Benefits

Consultancy Duration:

• The consultancy duration is for 9 working days
• Contract Period: 5 August – 20 September 2026.