Pros
CIAT provides flexibility and space to develop innovative research linked to development outcomes with dedicated colleagues. The organization is relatively flat which means that there is plenty of scope to follow leads provided that you can deliver the funding needed to keep the work going. Basically if you have a good idea and a solid funding stream you are free to conduct innovative work within the framework of agricultural research for development.
Cons
CIAT scientific staff suffers from excessive administrative burden and a general lack of leadership despite paying for high quality support services. This situation leads to excessive workload for researchers who are asked to conduct research, manage and administer projects, fund raise, show development outcomes and write journal articles. There is a sense that upper management is disconnected from this situation and narrowly focused on simplistic indicators that do not reflect the work environment and morale of the center.