Deadline: 06 August 2022 & Will remain open until filled.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is looking for a Scientist to support IRRI’s R4D program on agricultural technology transfer, adoption & impacts and behavioral changes in South Asia. He/she will be heavily involved in bilateral and one CGIAR projects in the region, and lead farm and landscape level behavioral and policy change studies in South Asia.

Through, this the incumbent is expected to support in developing a strong program for IRRI/ISARC Varansi and contribute to the one CGIAR global impact challenges. The work requires building and sustaining strategic collaboration and programming with other CGIAR institutions, NARES, private sector and NGOs in the region.

He/she will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of social scientists, gender specialist, nutritionists, economists, GIS/remote sensing experts, breeders, soil/agronomist, and policy analysts to understand agricultural development, extension challenges, value chain linkages and farmer/consumer behavior to support developing sustainable food systems in the region. He/she will have clear focus on science-led
agricultural development, scale, sustainability and underlying processes. He/she will conceptualize and mobilize resources for R4D program aligned with goals and objectives of IRRI’s and One-CGIAR.

This position will be based in Varanasi India and is open for international applications

I. Roles and Responsibilities

• Independently develop, manage, and oversee implementation of strategies in accordance with agreed objectives, outputs, and timelines as reflected in approved impact pathway documents
• To manage and coordinate socio-economic activities in ongoing bilateral and other projects such as APART, CSISA, DSR Odisha, NEXUS, etc. across various locations in South Asia
• To conduct research/research support service activities with the transdisciplinary teams of the CSISA, TAFSSA projects, including agro-advisory, adoption and impact assessment, etc. that contribute to policy decisions at various levels to transform agri-food systems in collaboration with key stakeholders
• Contribute to behavioral change activities pertaining to farmer decisions
• Support designing and coordinate implementing of RCTs and other experiments in various projects (CSISA, TAFSSA, etc.)
• Coordination and stakeholders’ management
• Finalize draft reports for CSISA, NEXUS, TAFSSA project for submission to supervisor and stakeholders and technical literature to disseminate results.
• Publish and actively contribute to articles in peer-reviewed journals/digests that highlight findings from research and experiment activities showcasing the Institute’s scientific leadership
• Develop and maintain partnerships with various public and private stakeholders in involved in agricultural marketing systems
• Coordinating and programming with various units under ISARC
• Coordinate with CSISA and TAFSSA project team members for developing and implementing project activities
• Coordinate closely with research decision makers and donors to support investment decision making through high-quality evidence
• Contribute to research proposals and actively help securing funds and manage funds and support
• Build and maintain partnerships with collaborators and stakeholders
• Supervise, coach, and mentor scientific professionals and support staff including PhD students and other scientists
• Participate in Institute wide activities and represent IRRI at various meetings or events
• Publish and actively contribute to articles in peer-reviewed journals
• Develop databases on retail environment and markets in South Asia
• Implement experiments/survey in field
• Contribute in developing toolbox for retail environment analysis
• Represent TAFSSA to a wide audience by presenting at international conferences and meetings
• Contribute to development of project proposals

II. Qualifications

• PhD in Agricultural Economics or related fields;
•  Minimum of 3 years of post-PhD experience in agriculture research,
•  Project or program coordination and implementation,
• Writing project proposals, rice science or related field

III. Skills Required

Mandatory

• Ability to conduct high quality research in the area of modeling, impact assessment and benefit-cost analysis
• Excellent analytical and coding skills in STATA, R or any other statistical tools
• Working knowledge and coding in CSPro, and other CAPI tools
• Demonstrated leadership and people managment skills
• Has a background in both, quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Strong collaboration skills and has experience in creating long-term Partnerships
• Has demonstrated contribution to the delivery of strategies and plans of multiple projects
• Has excellent research management experience
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• A track record / strong pipeline of publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience working in developing countries
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills with demonstrated excellence in written and oral presentations
• Experience of working with NARES partners in South Asia

Preferred

• Worked in an international organization
• Experience in rice research and research with global focus
• Experience working in different parts of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal
• Manage and develop team members to ensure professional growth

IV. Benefits

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

V. How to Apply?

• To Apply, please click here
• Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• This position will remain open until filled.

VI. 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.