Key skills
Curriculum Development
Conflict Resolution
Time Management
data entry and analysis
Additional/Preferred Skills
Team Collaboration
Adaptability
Research Skills
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelors
Senior Associate – Dryland Academy
ICRISAT seeks applications from dynamic and motivated Indian nationals for the position of Senior Assistant – Dryland Academy. The incumbent will provide comprehensive administrative, coordination, and logistical support for training, capacity building, and related activities under the Transforming Agri-food Systems Research Program. The position will work closely with internal units, scientists, gender researchers, and external stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of training programs, including donor-sponsored and ITEC courses. This position will be based at ICRISAT’s Headquarters in Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems.
ICRISAT is headquartered at Patancheru near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and eight country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT envisions a prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics. Its mission is to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics. ICRISAT conducts research on its mandate crops of chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the arid and semi-arid tropics. The Institute focuses its work on the drylands and in protecting the environment. Tropical dryland areas are usually seen as resource-poor and perennially beset by shocks such as drought, thereby trapping dryland communities in poverty and hunger and making them dependent on external aid. Please visit - www.icrisat.org
Responsibilities:
Administrative and Coordination Support
Provide end-to-end administrative and coordination support for Dryland Academy training programs and capacity-building initiatives.
Maintain records, documentation, schedules, and reporting related to training activities.
Inter‑Unit Coordination
Coordinate with various Institute units and research programs for the planning and implementation of training courses, workshops, and learning events.
Liaise with scientists, trainers, and support teams to ensure smooth execution of activities.
Training Logistics and Participant Engagement
Design and organize cultural tours, exposure visits, and group activities for training participants.
Support participant onboarding, logistics, and on-campus coordination during training programs.
Gender-Responsive Training Support
Assist Gender Researchers in organizing and delivering gender-responsive trainings and capacity-building activities.
Support integration of gender considerations into training design, logistics, and reporting.
Monitoring and Team Coordination
Monitor progress of assigned activities and coordinate with team members and associated scientists to ensure timely delivery.
Track action points and follow up on implementation.
General Administrative Support
Perform day-to-day tasks as assigned by the Supervisor and/or the Global Research Program Director.
Assist the Program Administration team in ensuring smooth functioning of program operations.
Support to IP and Legal Office
On a need basis, provide administrative and coordination support to the Intellectual Property (IP) and Legal Office, particularly for ITEC-funded courses and related documentation.
Eligibility and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Minimum of 10 to 20 years of relevant experience in administrative support, program coordination, training management, or capacity-building activities, preferably in an international or research organization.
Fluency in English with strong oral and written communication skills.
Proficiency in computer applications, including MS Excel and other standard office tools.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi‑cultural environment and establish harmonious and productive working relationships.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities independently.
General:
This is a contractual role for a period of 36 months (3 years), renewable based on the performance of the incumbent and the institute’s continuing need for the position.
How to apply:
The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. Shortlisting will start from 24 May 2026. All Applicants should apply with their latest Resume, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining a progressive and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether they have a disability.