Centre Director

Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is seeking a new Centre Director for its Latin America Centre. SEI Latin America is one of seven SEI centres, a leading research institute focused on sustainable development. SEI’s mission is to support decision-making and induce change by providing integrative knowledge that bridges science, policy and practice in the field of environment and development.

As Centre Director, you will lead SEI Latin America’s strategic direction, shape its research agenda, build partnerships and strengthen SEI’s presence in Latin America. You will work closely with the leadership team at SEI Headquarters in Stockholm and with other Centre Directors in SEI’s Global Management Committee. The role offers the opportunity to engage in a high-level scientific environment, creating opportunities to advance sustainable development in the region. You will be part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural team, fostering collaboration and diverse perspectives to address key environmental challenges.

About SEI Latin America

SEI Latin America is SEI’s youngest research centre. Established in Bogotá in 2018, it has since grown rapidly to become a regional centre of excellence for research and engagement on key sustainable development issues in the region. The centre is a collaborative and growing community of approximately 35 researchers and support staff who conduct  rigorous research, engage with key stakeholders, translate knowledge into action, and build capacity in critical areas such as water resources, climate and energy, pollution, nature, natural resources and the 2030 Agenda. Our research teams continuously innovate to develop specialized research areas in response to emerging challenges.

The role

The Centre Director plays a pivotal role in advancing SEI Latin America’s mission and strategic objectives. This role encompasses five key areas:

1. Strategic leadership: lead SEI Latin America’s strategy and roadmap in alignment with SEI’s global strategy. This includes setting the strategic direction, overseeing organizational planning and execution, budgeting, results reporting and ensuring the centre’s financial sustainability and administrative efficiency.
2. People management: recruit, lead and develop the centre’s employees. The Centre Director will foster a collaborative and high-performing work environment while overseeing organizational, management and employee-related matters in alignment with SEI’s mission, strategy and values.
3. Partnership development: facilitate knowledge-sharing and relationship building with key partners. This includes establishing and strengthening partnerships with funders, policymakers and institutional partners at local, national and regional levels and ensuring that policy recommendations are channelled effectively to the right audiences. The Director will actively participate in conferences, seminars and policy discussions to enhance SEI’s visibility, impact and network in the region.
4. Resource mobilization: oversee resource mobilization and donor relations to increase and diversify funding. Ensure research outputs are of the highest quality by coaching researchers in developing excellent proposals and fostering engagement with partners and donors.
5. Global integration: as a member of SEI’s global management team, contribute to SEI’s global strategic development, report directly to the SEI Executive Director, and play a leading role in shaping SEI’s presence and influence in Latin America.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee and drive the implementation of all organizational matters at the centre, ensuring financial sustainability and administrative efficiency. 

• Manage the centre’s employees and operations, ensuring the development and implementation of all policies and procedures.

• Lead research, organizational development and resource mobilization, contributing to a strong, visible and lasting project portfolio in alignment with SEI’s global strategy.

• Promote and strengthen the centre as part of “One SEI”, fostering collaboration and integration between SEI teams to enhance synergies, creativity and impact within SEI’s research and policy network in the region.

Who you are

You are an experienced leader with a strong background in environmental sustainability and development. You bring excellent leadership skills and can engage, empower and support employees to grow SEI Latin America. You can provide clear direction, delegate effectively and build trusting professional relationships. You have several years of experience in leadership, people management and strategy development and implementation.

Qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree (or higher) in a relevant field.
• Recognized expertise in research related to at least one of SEI’s strategy areas.
• Senior experience in a knowledge-based or research organization.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership and people management.
• Proven track record of significant resource mobilization for research and/or development.
• Experience in strategy development and implementation.
• Excellent English and Spanish language skills, both spoken and written.

Personal skills and attributes

We are seeking a leader with a strong interest in organizational development. You should be enthusiastic about inspiring and empowering employees, with strong interpersonal skills that drive a culture of commitment, innovation and engagement. A collaborative leadership style, coupled with strong communication and relationship-building skills, is essential.

Additional information

This is a one-year fixed-term employment contract with the aim of extending employment to a total four years full-time at SEI Latin America in Bogotá. SEI Latin America offers a hybrid work model, a competitive compensation package and the opportunity to expand professional networks.