About IRRI

The IRRI South Asia Regional Centre is a regional facility that supports research collaboration, training and service provision to institutions, scientists and other stakeholders from India and other South Asian and African nations. Centre aims to (1) enhance South-South collaboration and strengthen the capacity of rice-growing countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa in crop production, seed quality and to enhance farmers’ income (2) deliver research for development services for the private and public sectors through its state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for grain quality, crop production and nutritional quality and (3) enable knowledge transfer through short courses on rice-based agri-food systems and other IRRI Education products within the region. Besides, ISARC oversees all the IRRI Programs operating in South Asia and provides them with research and capacity-building support, including DSRC, EiA, DSR Odisha, ICAR-W3, TAFSSA, IFFCO, CORE, etc.

Job Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the supervisor/Director of ISARC, s/he will work closely with CESA/CERVA/CEIRD unit and sub-unit leads, CSSM, and program management unit of ISARC to coordinate phase 2 project activities including planning, report writing, and coordination. S/he will be responsible for developing partnerships and providing strong engagement with NARES partners to develop and disseminate improved and innovative technologies. S/he will oversee the Plant and Soil Lab and will also help manage the farm activities in close association with Farm Manager and farm team. S/he will extend support in managing the activities of various projects on nutrition, health and production and productivity enhancement. S/he will prepare technical literature, improve and/or develop necessary research protocols, tools, data collection, analysis, and interpretation and provide strategic direction to the NARES partners from time to time.

• Liaison and coordination with ISARC’s units/sub-units.
• Technical support to PMU and CSSM for program management and activities to achieve the overall goal and milestones.
• support in the preparation of LoA, MoA, MoU, etc
• Manage the Plant and Soil Lab activities including methodology development and validation, purchase and maintenance of equipment and ensuring timely availability of chemicals and other supplies
• Manage the Farm activities in close association with Farm Manager and Farm team
• Maintain research requirements by ensuring procurement of necessary materials and equipment
• Develop progress reports, technical proceedings, presentations and scientific literature.
• Assist in the implementation of communication strategies and outputs.
• Actively involved in organizing the training, workshops, meetings, visits and other events.
• Represent ISARC at various platforms including farmers fairs, agri-exhibitions, technology/product demonstrations.
• Any other duty assigned by the Supervisor/Director, ISARC/PMU.

The position will be based at IRRI South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support in the coordination of ISARC-CESA Phase2 activities in collaboration with CESA/CERVA and CEIRD unit and sub-unit leads
• Support to PMU for the preparation of project reports, presentations and in consultation with unit/sub-unit leads, and scientists
• Work closely with IRRI HQ farm, lab and finance teams, provide support on the cost-recoveries for farm operations, implements and lab analysis
• Support in developing standardized protocols for biochemical lab estimations and their validation
• Strict supervision on sophisticated instruments/implements/hand-helds’ operations by research technicians/scholars and other important meetings and monitoring/ execution of actions to be taken related to their units /sub-units
• Support in the preparation of six monthly/annual/ other reports preparation of ISARC and associated projects of theme/ sub-theme
• Organize national and international workshops, conferences and training, review missions, senior government officials’ visits
• Manage dissemination of communication product of the project including publications, activity literature, proceedings, audio-visuals
• Develop and sustain partnerships with ISARC’s unit/sub-unit leads/researchers, relevant stakeholders and coordinate activities
• Assist in developing MOUs, MOAs and LOAs with government agencies, NARES and public-private institutions and facilitate their clearances for the implementation of project activities
• Quality assurance and maintaining safety measures for all lab and fam related tasks
• Identify, develop and implement models for learning and dissemination of knowledge and information
• Organize and coordinate training, workshop conferences, and meetings (national and international) for capacity building of partners
• Participate in Institute-wide activities and represent IRRI/ISARC at various meetings or events at both national and international levels to inform about research studies
• Consolidate/synthesize and finalize reports of other projects for submission to donors/partners and other stakeholders
• Maintain proper records of program activities and results
• Provide support and contribute to proposal development for investments.
• Support students, trainees and technical support staff and prepare training curriculum and manuals as needed

Qualifications

M.Sc. in Agriculture/Plant Sciences/life science with a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant work experience or PhD in Agriculture/Plant Sciences/life science fresher/ with experience in agriculture project/program management and coordination in any agricultural research organization of national/international reputed institutes

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Has experience in managing a team or unit
• Has experience in implementing policy and plans
• Has strong collaboration skills and has experience in sustaining long-term partnerships
• Has excellent leadership skills
• Has experience resolving conflict
• Has excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Has good decision-making skills

Preferred

• Has worked in an international organization
• Has experience in managing a team or unit

In addition to the base salary mentioned above, IRRI also offers the following allowances:

• House-Rent Allowance: IRRI provides a house rent allowance of 40% of base pay per month.
• Transport Allowance:A monthly transport allowance of INR 4,000
• Dearness Allowance:One Hundred and Thirteen percent (113%) of employee’s base pay.
• Leave Travel Allowance (LTA):One-month base pay per annum, on availing minimum 2 days of vacation leave
• Education Allowance: INR 1000/- per child per month (limited 2 children)

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.