About IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government.

The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff. Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) with the support of the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has established IRRI-South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is a regional facility that supports
research collaboration, training, and service provision to institutions, scientists, farmers, and other stakeholders from India and other South Asian and African nations. The state-of-the-art rice research Centre catalyzes South-South collaboration, strengthens research and capacity development of rice-growing countries in the South Asia and Africa regions, and contributes towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Recently the government of India has accorded approval for ISARC phase 2 through an MOU with IRRI to implement next-phase activities up to 2027 to help boost farmers’ incomes by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing the cost of production, value addition, diversification, and enhancement of farmers’ skills.

This position is based at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and must only be filled by the permanent residents of India.

Job Purpose

The ISARC’s experimental station is in charge of the delivery, management, and maintenance of all research fields and facilities and will ensure the timely delivery of agronomic resources required by research programs within ISARC. This position will provide overall leadership and management of all operational activities related to crop production, crop protection, land preparation and management, and seed production ensuring optimum service delivery at all times.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Supervise the day-to-day delivery of research farm services (e.g. manpower allocation, maintenance and scheduling of activities) related to crop production, management of farm machinery and equipment, seed production, irrigation and drainage, and harvest, agrochemical services and pest control ensuring timely, effective and cost-efficient implementation of farm operations
• Ensure continuous improvement and optimum service delivery on Field Operations
• Provide support and information to IRRI regional hubs including state projects. NARES and other partners in relation to farm management, operational standards, technology adoption, capacity building and agronomic processes
• Ensure ISARC farm’s delivers effective and relevant services, operations, facilities in all farm related activities
• Provide technical input and information for the development of research project proposals across all ISARC’s vertical
• Evaluate different agro-machinery and practices and identify improved options for farmers and stakeholders
• Identify possible sources of agro and post-harvest machinery supply, fabrication of components and after sales
• Service test and adapt machinery to suit local conditions
• Collect loss data on piloted technologies to current practices
• Monitor and manage approved budgets and write reports and billing statements for partial/Full Cost Recovery
• Establish, secure and maintain relationships with external stakeholders advancing ISARC’ mission of providing quality research services
• Liaison with the IRRI HQ ZES team and IRS Platform to align the ISARC’s farm operations and activities.
• Engage and maintain open communication with research groups and science leaders in ISARC and regional offices
• Lead planning discussions for the coordination of research activities to ensure effective scheduling of agronomic operations enabling research activities to be implemented within the limited resources and manage agronomic risks
• Maintain relationships with partner organizations, vendors and third-party service providers to ensure the continued delivery of products and services
• Align and lead the negotiations with service providers and vendors ensuring quality delivery of service packages, products, and technologies
• Provide technical expertise to IRRI Education and during farm tours involving high level visitors. Ensure effective provision of quality machinery required in IE course delivery
• Contribute to the ISARC and associated projects activities on related aspects/ themes under the guidance of the supervisor and ISARC Director/ technical coordinator
• Engage in the capacity building of NARES partners on different farm machinery
• Contribute for training/ exposure visits being organized by ISARC at the Centre/ at any project sites
• Lead and support fund generation activities by contributing to proposal writing and creating new opportunities
• Any other tasks as assigned by ISARC Director / Supervisor/ Unit leader/ Coordinator
• In collaboration with IRRI Legal, Finance and Supply Chain Services, continuously improve service packages of service providers including the development of new Service Agreements, Terms of Reference (TOR) and be involved in biddings and contract renewals
• Oversee the work of farm manager, technicians and monitor the work of service providers to ensure that the activities are implemented according to the plan, standards and timelines.
• Provide reports for senior management, and other stakeholders as required on the performance of farm operations and activities
• Lead on improving farm machinery options and train farmers’ groups, contract service providers, NGO, etc. on safe operation, maintenance and best practices of using machines

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Agriculture / Agriculture Engineering (M.Tech)
preferably Farm Machinery and Power Engineering with a minimum of 5
years of relevant work experience in Agricultural Research Farm
Management and Project Management, or related fields.

OR

PhD in Agriculture sciences preferably Farm Machinery and Power
Engineering or Agronomy with 3 years of relevant experience

Skills Required

Mandatory

Has experience managing farm/machinery (operation/R &M)/ team
Has excellent communication skills
Has good documentation and organizational skills
Has good leadership skills
Can negotiate with various stakeholders

Preferred

Has experience working in a multi-cultural and international setting

Allowances:

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 5,000
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