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.
The IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) is an IRRI 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. The centre aims to enhance South-South collaboration and strengthen the capacity of rice growing countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa in crop production and seed quality and enhance farmers’ income. It also seeks to 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. Lastly, it enables knowledge transfer through short courses on rice-based agri-food systems and other IRRI Education products within the region.
Job Purpose
The Manager–Innovation role requires specialized expertise in agri-startup incubation, entrepreneurship development, and business strategy formulation under the PM-RKVY program. Existing IRRI staff do not possess the combined experience in scouting innovations, mentoring startups, and managing incubation operations at scale. The selected candidate has an expertise in guiding early-stage agri-enterprises, developing scalable business models, and fostering ecosystem linkages.
Engaging this expert ensures effective innovation management, mentorship, and successful execution of program objectives.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Support startups in developing innovative products, technologies, and business models to enhance competitiveness and scalability in the agri-sector.
- Lead scouting, selection, and onboarding startups, coordinating with committees and managing application processes.
- Facilitate ideation, technology adoption, and incubation activities, including mentoring, training, and investor engagement.
- Provide strategic guidance on emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and digital solutions for startups.
- Build partnerships with government bodies, research institutes, industry associations, and startup networks.
- Design and deliver capacity-building programs, workshops, and structured mentoring under PM-RKVY guidelines.
- Assist startups with business planning, investment readiness, market strategies, branding, and commercialization.
- Monitor incubate progress, track KPIs, and prepare reports, documentation, and case studies for program stakeholders.
- Ensure program compliance, administration, and support expansion of incubation operations.
- Undertake any additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Institute Director, Project Investigator (PI), or Co-Project Investigator (Co-PI).
Qualifications
- MTech/MBA/PGDM/Equivalent Master degree in Agriculture/Agri-Business/Finance/ Marketing/ Agri-Marketing/ Agri-Economics/Economics/International Business from UGC recognized institute.
- At least 5-6 years experience in technology commercialization; supported incubators.
- Assessment and evaluation of projects startups projects and mentored at least 25-30 startups companies.
- Expertise in designing and delivering training sessions for diverse stakeholders.
Skills Required
- Strong understanding of Agri-startup ecosystems, incubation, and entrepreneurship development.
- Expertise in startup selection, mentoring, and acceleration programs.
- Experience in business development, market access, and commercialization strategies.
- Knowledge of designing and implementing capacity-building programs and workshops.
- Proficiency in preparing DPRs, business plans, financial models, and investment pitches.
- Ability to coordinate with government agencies, research institutions, investors, and industry partners.
- Strong project management, monitoring, and reporting skills.
- Analytical skills to track incubate progress, KPIs, and program outcomes.
- Familiarity with PM-RKVY guidelines and other Agri-entrepreneurship schemes.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and networking capabilities.