About us

ODI (odi.org) is an independent, global think tank. We work to inspire people to act on injustice and inequality. Through research, convening, and influencing, we generate ideas that matter for people and the planet.

 
About the role 

ODI is seeking an exceptional Chief Strategy and Governance Officer (CSGO) to play a pivotal role in shaping ODI's strategic direction, expanding its global presence, driving organisational development, and ensuring effective governance practices.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to lead the development and implementation of strategic initiatives while overseeing governance frameworks to promote transparency, accountability and compliance.

 
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the CSGO will lead the execution of ODI’s 5-year strategy, with a focus on cross-functional collaboration to ensure that ODI’s people, finances and ways of working are better geared to delivering high-quality work that is more global in orientation and increasingly undertaken in partnership with others, most especially under-represented voices. You will also contribute to ODI’s overall leadership, strategic direction, policy development and decision-making.

 
Key responsibilities:

• Lead fundraising and partnership management: Ensure that ODI has an appropriate mix of funding that is managed in the right way. Oversee major central funding partnerships in an integrated way across ODI in all its locations.
  
  
• Strategic leadership: Ensuring ODI has the right people and partners in place to execute the strategy.
  
  
• The focal point for global entities: Moving from a UK-based organization to a more global entity, this role will oversee ODI’s global expansion, including guiding the leadership of the entities in Washington DC and Brussels.
  
  
• The focal point for decolonisation: Raising the ambition of our research and engagement consistent with a more global focus of the strategy.
  
  
• Governance leadership: Contributing strategically to the work of the Senior Leadership

About you

You will have an advanced degree in political science, economics, international development, public policy, business administration, law, or a related field. A Ph.D. or equivalent experience is preferred. Fluency/proficiency in English and ideally one additional official UN language.  You will also have a keen interest in and affinity with our key areas of research, including climate change, peace and security and global inequality. Your role will have significant exposure to all aspects of our work and business.

Skills and experience: 

• Significant senior leadership experience in a think tank, research institute, international organization, or similar setting, with a strong strategic planning, governance, and risk management background. Deep understanding of global development issues, trends, and actors, with expertise in one or more thematic areas relevant to ODI's work.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience in executing strategies in a think-tank environment.
  
  
• Significant experience in managing relationships with key strategic funders.
  
  
• Management experience, including an understanding of how to operate commercially in a think tank
  
  
• Demonstrated capacity for leading strategic programmes of research, engagement, and for leading the governance function.

If this sounds like you, we are very keen to hear back from you before the closing date of 1 May 2024 at 23:59 BST. The exact interview dates are TBC, but the 1^st and 2^nd stage interviews will take place sometime in May 2024.

Our offer

In return we will offer:

• A fantastic opportunity to work for a global organisation inspiring people around the world to tackle injustice and inequality through our world-class research, convening and influencing.
  
  
• The opportunity to work with exceptional talent who are leading voices in their respective fields.
  
  
• Excellent pay and benefits including:
  
  
  • Pension scheme: A generous pension scheme where ODI contributes 5% towards your pension scheme with the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).
    
    
  • Leave: 25 days of annual leave per annum, plus statutory holidays and 3 days’ paid leave for the office closure during the Christmas and New Year period. Maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave. Full-pay sick leave after a qualifying period. Compassionate leave.
    
    
  • Union: ODI recognises UNITE and all staff have the right to become members.
    
    
  • Flexible working options: Support in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, e.g. part-time working, compressed hours, term-time.
    
    
  • Hybrid working: Working at the office/remotely within the UK.
    
    
  • Maternity, paternity and adoption leave: Enhanced pay for eligible employees after a qualifying period.
    
    
  • Loans: The Institute offers an interest-free season ticket loan on completion of the probationary period.
    
    
  • Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on the value of a bike and accessories for commuting, and pay monthly through your salary.
    
    
  • Relocation: Assistance is available towards employees who have been recruited from a place outside the UK.
    
    
  • ODI Groups: A number of social and cross-department work groups, e.g. Podcast Society, Book Club, The Anti-Racist Reading Group, Softball Team, Diversity Forum and others.

ODI is committed to developing and supporting diverse and inclusive teams of people who share our passion, where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds including those who experience intersectional marginalisation on the basis of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious identity or belief, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome applications from those living with disabilities.

This post may be of interest to those keen to contribute to ODI's decolonisation agenda. 

To download the job description and role details please follow this link.

If you are experiencing difficulties downloading, please telephone 020 7922 0351 or email humanresources@odi.org.uk.

ODI is an equal opportunities employer                                           

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