Senior Specialist

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.

Our work aims to improve the health and livelihoods of rice farmers and consumers, promote environmental sustainability in the context of climate change, and empower women and youth in the rice sector. IRRI's research-for-development approach is rooted in collaboration with advanced research institutions, national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES), governments, the development sector, and the private sector to ensure scientific innovations are translated into real-world impact.

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.

Job Purpose

The IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) serves as a regional hub supporting collaborative research, capacity building, and service provision for stakeholders from India, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. ISARC aims to enhance South-South cooperation, strengthen rice production and seed quality, increase farmers' incomes, deliver research services through its advanced laboratory facilities, and facilitate knowledge transfer through short courses and IRRI Education offerings.

The World Bank-supported UPAGREES project aims to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen rural enterprises, and improve market access in 21 districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh by promoting resilient agri-food value chains, empowering farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and encouraging private sector participation. As part of this initiative, the IRRI South Asia Regional Center (ISARC) will collaborate with the Uttar

Pradesh Diversified Agriculture Support Project (UPDASP) and its Project Coordination Unit (PCU) to provide technical support for interventions in rice-based systems, while a designated Support Organization (SO) will coordinate on-ground implementation, including demonstrations and trainings.

Under the close supervision of the Resident Coordinator, the Agriculture Research and Extension Senior Specialist/ Cluster coordinator will coordinate and lead the implementation of project activities, including facilitating field demonstrations, setting up and operate agricultural equipment/implements and training farmers to deliver

integrated agronomic technology solutions, including distribution of seeds to farmers and providing support to conduct various field activities. He / She will help to collect data from demonstrations, experiments and encode data for reporting and will work in close coordination with the SO for better implementation of the IRRI-supported UPAGREES activities in the assigned districts.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and implement agronomic trials, demonstrations, and learning platforms by designing experimental setups, overseeing accurate field data collection and documentation, and analyzing agronomic information to generate insights and prepare technical reports.
• Supervise the day-to-day delivery of services related to crop production, management of farm machinery and equipment, seed production, irrigation, harvest, agrochemical services and pest control ensuring timely, effective and cost-efficient implementation of farm operations in farmer's field, KVK stations etc.
• Plan and organize practical demonstrations, field days, farmer training and exposure visits by providing support to local partners for disseminating technologies and best management practices.
• Ensure continuous improvement and optimum service delivery on Field Operations through the consistent review and analysis of existing and newly established processes, guidelines, technologies and equipment providing recommendations to rectify performance issues and process inefficiencies in liasion and discussion with IRRI team.
• Provide timely recommendations to new processes and/or improvement(s) to secure efficient performance with respect to operational manuals and review standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines, technologies and equipment providing recommendations to rectify performance issues.
• Represent the specific projects component at various platforms including regular monitoring meetings with the other partners Document on different recommendations to be shared with NARES partners.
• Advance a safe and healthy work environment through the continuous development of processes and policies that are compliant to the standard guidelines with effective record keeping.
• Provide effective input and required information for the development of research project proposals by providing technical inputs on agronomic and experimental field operations, and agricultural technologies relevant to and supporting of the research objectives.
• Coordinate the transfer of appropriate agronomic technologies, providing technical inputs and advisory support to national partners and community organizations, while guiding the organization of trainings and demonstrations to strengthen partner capacity and promote farmer-to-farmer diffusion of best management practices.
• Identify training needs and organize training courses for FPCs, service providers, progressive farmers and other stakeholders on crop production technologies at the field level.
• Develop manuals, booklets and support the partners to conduct training based on the manuals.
• Provide regular updates to government partners by preparing and submitting timely scientific reports, field updates, and other required documentation on project progress.
• Establish, secure and maintain relationships with external stakeholders (e.g. local, national & international government and non-government organizations, private companies, farm implement manufacturers) advancing IRRI' mission of providing quality service.
• Contribute the efforts on bi-annual/annual other reports preparation of UPAGREES or associated projects.
• Develop strategies to organize follow-up with partners and stakeholders to streamline the implementation of activities.
• Monitor and evaluate field level performance related to different agricultural technologies and extension programs.
• Prepare high-quality project reports, technical papers, and documentation for policy and academic forums,ensuring timely submission to the Resident Coordinator and contributing to publications in peer-reviewed journals Support the development and use of training materials with local partners.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in agriculture sciences or related field with minimum 5-7

years of experience in working on Agronomy, soil science etc.
- PhD degree in Agriculture Sciences or related field with minimum 2-3

years of experience in working on Agronomy, soil science etc.

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Hands-on experience working on Agronomy related trials.
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills.
• Team player, able to organize work independently.
• Data analysis and report writing.
• Basic ability to design different experiment
• Language (Speaking and Writing): English

Preferred

• Has experience in working with NARES partners, fabricators, service

providers and farmer groups to test, demonstrate and train farmers and

other value chain actors.
- Language (Speaking and Writing): Hindi

Allowances

In addition to the base salary mentioned above, IRRI also offers the following allowances:

• House-Rent Allowance: IRRI provides a house rent allowance of 40% of base pay per month.
• Transport Allowance: A monthly transport allowance of INR 5,000.
• Dearness Allowance: One Hundred and Thirteen percent (113%) of employee's base pay.
• Leave Travel Allowance (LTA): One-month base pay per annum, on availing minimum 2 days of vacation leave.
• Education Allowance: INR 1000/- per child per month (limited 2 children).

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 that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.

Job Reference: HQ01857