Project Manager - (17-87)

International Potato Center POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Ref: 17-87/PM/IRS/INDIA

Project Manager

Assam, India

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Project Manager (agricultural or social sciences) to lead the potato value chain, sustainable system intensification, training and extension activities of the APART project in the state of Assam, India.

The Center: CIP is a non-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweet potato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.

The Project: The Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation project (APART) is implemented by the Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agriculture Services (ARIAS) Society and funded by the World Bank. APART is a comprehensive development project involving national and international partners to add value and improve resilience of selected agriculture value chains, focusing on smallholder farmers and agro-entrepreneurs in targeted districts of Assam. CIP’s engagement is to provide technical backstopping, innovations, and capacity building along the entire potato value chain to increase its productivity, and improve the livelihoods of small- scale and marginal farmers, thereby contributing to sustainable intensification and diversification of current production systems, including strengthening market linkages and supporting post-harvest value chain development. CIP will work in close collaboration with Assam government, university and private sector partners.

The Position: The Project Manager should be driven by the desire to achieve impact on poverty through high quality development interventions in close coordination with project partners. The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for all aspects of project implementation and reporting. He/she will directly supervise an interdisciplinary team of specialists. The position will be based in Guwahati, India and will report to CIP’s Potato Asia Program Leader & Country Manager of India. This is an internationally recruited position that will work closely with other CIP science teams at CIP regional office in New Delhi, India and its headquarter in Lima, Peru. The assignment will include frequent travel within Assam and India.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Coordination of development activities

• Lead a project team to support local partners in value chain development, varietal selection, seed systems, demonstrating sustainable and climate resilient production and integrated pest management practices, on-farm post-harvest management, enterprise development, and training and extensions programs to scale up innovations in potato based cropping systems of Assam.

• Provide intellectual leadership for the design and implementation of operational research to determine opportunities and constraints for agricultural innovation in project target areas.

• Provide quality control of work plans and ensure that overall project priorities, delivery goals and technology disseminations are well understood and effectively met across the multi-institutional partnership.• Establish flexible and accountable processes for timely planning and delivery of development activities, including technology dissemination, and reporting.

• Establish and maintain good communication links between the APART project management team and international and state government partners to ensure effective field implementation of improved climate smart potato cultivation practices.

• Build and manage a productive partnership across the participating CGIAR centers.

Project Management

• Lead a team of four people including an Economist/Value chain specialist, a Plant Breeder/Potato seed specialist, an Agronomist/Post-harvest specialist, and an administrative assistant.

• Provide management, leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of consultations and project implementation.

• Ensure that project implementation is responsive to communities and partners and aligned with CIP’s principles and values.

• Work with administrative and finance units at CIP and other partners, oversee the development of sub- agreements and work plans.

• Monitor adherence to consultancy contract, CIP policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.

Reporting and Representation

• As responsible manager for all technical and financial reporting to the donor, ensure timeliness, quality, and responsiveness to donor requests in all areas of reporting.

• Work with relevant units at CIP, India and Peru-HQ to obtain technical and administrative support. • Establish a M&E system to ensure that project indicators are timely and of excellent quality to support adaptive management.

• Support the Team Leader to represent the project vis-à-vis World Bank, ARIAS Society, GOI, and research partners.

• Participate in regular planning and review meetings with ARIAS Society and APART team and ensure that the project is well understood and highly regarded by the donor and all project partners.

Staff Management, Professional Development and Team Building

• Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.

• Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews, and ensuring that all staff members are effectively using the performance planning and management system.

• Contribute to project team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Project Support Operations

• Coordinate with M&E, finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics, procurement, security, administration and human resources. • In coordination with the CIP Country Manager, propose and design new local operational policies as needed and in accordance with donor and CIP regulations.

Selection Criteria:

• PhD level degree in relevant discipline in the agriculture and social sciences. 


• Strong experience of at least 5 years in a field-based rural development project promoting agricultural or other technological innovation, preferably in potato in India and Asia. 


• Excellent knowledge of innovation systems research and underlying social science methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative.

• Experience of coordinating multi-institutional collaboration in support of rural communities and their governance structures.

• Strong understanding of integrating gender and other social equity considerations into project design and delivery.

• Experience of coordinating rigorous M&E and hands-on technical reporting.

• Strong experience of using communication technologies as research and development tools.• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are a must; additional communication skills in Hindi are an additional asset.

• Good record of scientific and technical publications.

• Willingness to travel frequently in-country and work under field conditions.

Conditions: CIP’s assignment in the APART project is for five years. This international recruited position is for

two years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and the continuing availability of funds. The

position will be based in Guwahati, Assam and an attractive compensation is offered for the right candidate. CIP

prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and

professional growth.

Applications: Applicants should apply online through our CIP’s Job Opportunities website

(http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/), including a letter of motivation, a full C.V. with the names and contact

information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work

experience. Screening of applications will begin on January 12, 2018 a and will continue until the post is filled.

All applications will be acknowledged; however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are

particularly encouraged to apply.