Senior Associate Scientist II - Scientific and Technical Coordination

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 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. The ISARC 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. High quality analytical laboratories are offering services and capacity development solutions to NARES and private entities. Recently the government of India has accorded approval for ISARC phase 2 through a 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 will report to the Director, ISARC. The incumbent will provide strategic support to the Director, ISARC in liaising and coordinating programs in the South Asia region and help smoothly run the ISARC farm and laboratory facilities. S/he will work closely with ISARC scientists of different domains and collaborating partner(s) for monitoring and implementation of planned activities of ISARC phase 2, critically reviewing and coordinating for inputs with the respective scientist(s)/partner(s), documenting and report finalization, facilitating the development of concept notes/project proposals and organizing important meetings, visits, etc. One of the key roles will be to develop and maintain partnerships, exploring and identifying new investment opportunities and build networks with multidisciplinary stakeholders. S/he will also contribute to developing a communication strategy and managing its implementation, ensuring pitching the project research findings at suitable platforms, creating awareness and promoting modern rice technologies with ISARC/IRRI partners. S/he will lead on liaison and engage with government agencies, international and national NGOs, NARES, public-private organizations and other stakeholders to establish and strengthen the partnerships for successful implementation of ISARC/IRRI programs in the region. S/he will closely work with program leaders, extended IRRI teams, and country offices to establish better coordination and communication among the programs and integration of activities to maximize the impact at the ground level. 

This position will be based at the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and will only be filled in by the permanent citizens of India.

• Work closely with team leads in management and operations of ISARC phase 2 for timely planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of activities and ensure milestone deliveries. 
• Manage programmes in South Asia including complementary ongoing projects and programs in pipelines and new submissions to federal and state governments in India.
• Contribute in developing strategic partnerships with state and central govt, international and national NGOs, NARES, private and development partners, donors and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to developing, implementing program strategy, best possible management and operation practices to expand collaboration and promoting IRRI technologies/products
• Lead resource management planning, execution, monitoring of various project operating through ISARC–sub-grant allocation & reporting on workplan development.
• Manage and monitor inventory of investment proposals developed and submitted through ISARC.
• Contribute to fund management planning, budgeting, forecast, evaluation and control
• Represent ISARC at various platforms, technically lead for event management at ISARC and field locations and provide support to capacity-building programs
• Liaising and coordination with the program leads in smoothly running the ISARC farm and laboratory facilities.
• Develop and sustain partnerships and nurture effective relationships with various stakeholders.
• Engage with external stakeholders such as government agencies, international and national NGOs, NARES, public and private sector organizations and internal stakeholders to ensure the development and delivery of modern technologies.
• Coordinate with regional partners and IRRI/ISARC team including country offices (COs), HQ, objective leaders, and other scientists, to achieve agreed milestones and ensure compliances
• Strengthen and sustain the relations with seed/machinery/equipment suppliers, distributors, manufacturers.
• Nurture a strong relationship with the farm and laboratories team for smooth operations, and maintenance and extend the support in inventory management.
• Strategic support to the unit leaders, and Director, ISARC in managing and monitoring the activities, teams and programs
• Analyze and review existing processes, policies, strategies and guidelines related to program operations, research support and supplies, fund management, team management, change management, etc. and recommend modifications and improvements.
• Finalize and execute the MOU, MOA, and LOA with government agencies, NARES, public-private institutions and coordinate their clearances for implementation of program activities
• Ensure management and successful execution of national and international workshops, conferences and training programs.
• Lead on preparation, compilation and sharing of project reports from time to time. Support with project technical reviews and audits
• Plan and execute procurement of seed, machinery, lab equipment in consultation with project teams and collaborating NARES partners
• Contribute to the proposal development and lead new initiatives
• Coordinate with teams and partners for timely project contributions and share with the stakeholders
• Manage the dissemination of communication materials of the projects including publications, activity literature, proceedings, audio-visuals to relevant stakeholders
• Seamless liaising and coordination with the program leads in farm and laboratories operations and manage ISARC facility, farm and laboratory visits.
• Ensure the financial management in the lab and farm through cost recoveries of farm operations, irrigation and lab analyses

PhD in Agronomy/Soil Science with a minimum of 10 years of experience in working on crop and natural resource management, precision agronomy, alternative crop establishment methods, and related mechanization. Also experience in developing training modules, technical literatures, report writing, and organizing on farm training

Mandatory

• Has experience in managing a team or unit
• Has experience in developing strategies
• Has strong collaboration skills and has experience in creating long term partnerships including investment opportunities
• Has excellent leadership skills
• Has excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Has management skills for implementing complex projects at national level
• Has strong report writing skills

Preferred

• Worked in an international organization, preferably in CG System
• Excellent communication and writing skills

In addition to the Base Salary indicated above, IRRI also offers allowances as listed below:

• Dearness Allowance: 113% of basic salary
• House Rent Allowance: 40% of base salary
• Transport allowance for NRS L8: INR 10,000/-
• Educational Allowance: INR 1000/- per month per child up to two children, as applicable
• Leave Traveling Allowance: Equivalent to one month of basic pay per calendar year
• Provident Fund: 12% of basic pay and dearness allowance

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.