Job Description

About IRRIThe 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 Ba\xc3\xb1os, 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.Globally, rice is a significant commodity for livelihood, income, and nutrients. Crop improvement initiatives for rice worldwide confront the humongous challenge of the delivery and diffusion of technologies like new varieties, and quality seeds. IRRI plays a catalyzing role in the faster dissemination and uptake of newly developed improved varieties in vast rice-growing regions of Asia and Africa. The market demanded varieties fitting into varying rice ecologies should reach the farmers at an accelerated pace to deliver the potential genetic gain. However, owing to the complexity of the seed delivery system in several of the major rice-growing countries, many of those new germplasms
fail to reach a peak in terms of adoption and scaling. The research and development investment for new and improved varieties doesnt fully translate into economic gains for the farmers. The framework for collaboration between national research institutes and seed agencies is often fragile and not well-equipped to fast-track the evaluation and amplification of potential products.Seed systems of countries like India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Kenya are typically characterized by insipid varietal turnover, fragile seed access of farmers, especially smallholders, inept product management by public seed corporations, and poor participation of private agencies particularly in the inbred segment. A significant gap between market demand and research outcomes with respect of new varieties is also a strategic concern. Consequently, the advancement of need-based rice varieties that are high-yielding, resilient to climatic events, and market fit for preferred traits is slow-paced. Rice sufficiency in countries like India has also called for the development and adoption of diversified segments of rice varieties including nutrient-dense, low GI, DSR-appropriate varieties and different climate-resilient genotypes. Therefore, the seed system needs to be equipped with competitive products, channels, and delivery of the right varieties to cater to the emerging needs in growing markets, for the benefit of growers and consumers.Job PurposeReporting to IRRI Lead for Seed System in South Asia and globally mapped under CG genetic innovation, this position under the Rice Breeding Innovation division at IRRI will provide strategic leadership in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other potential countries in South Asia, and foster South-South Cooperation to expand knowledge to Africa and other countries to streamline and revitalize the seed system for targeted products. S/he will closely work with various national partners to identify, position, and fast-track the diffusion of best-fit products through a vibrant seed network. The functional collaboration in this regard with breeding institutes, public and private seed agencies, and community-led seed scaling institutes will be the key delivery areas to improve the varietal turnover, seed security, and genetic gain of smallholders in the targeted regions. Forging a stronger institutional linkage between research bodies and seed-amplifying agencies to secure the best available market-demanded products will be another mandate for this position. The incumbent will display strong research and leadership acumen to deliver on the planned impact areas in the seed system landscape.This position will be based at Odisha, India and is open for international applications.Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop systematic product evaluation, delivery and scaling roadmaps for varieties aligned to IRRIs breeding pipelines and priority market segments.
• Foster rigorous partnerships and suitable rice varieties and seeds through national extension systems bridging the gap between breeding research and technology transfer units
• Develop public-private partnerships for seed scaling and product positioning through early-generation seed and quality seed provisioning systems.
• Engage and partner with national flagships and developmental programs around varietal delivery, dissemination, and adoption
• Develop robust partnerships particularly with seed trade organizations and delivery networks as well as breeding networks to have the best intelligence of demand and supply systems
• Engage with participatory models and approaches, including farmer-led organizations civil society, or national or sub-national programs focusing on inclusive seed access and empowerment.
• Facilitate learning and exchange of knowledge between Asia and Africa through direct exchange and South-South Cooperation
• Ensure delivery of outcomes aligned with IRRIs vision, mission, values, target goals, policies, and procedure
• Develop and execute capacity-sharing roadmaps and foster regional cooperation and learning between various countries
• Engage with IRRI Breeding and seed system partners in South Asian countries and also regional cooperation networks or bodies
• Representing IRRI on national and international seed forums for forging and expanding institutional partnership
• Engage with IRRIs multi-disciplinary team in the region and in the country for collaborative research and delivery
• Engage with stakeholders in CGIAR programs and other centers for integrated delivery and program designing
• Close interface and working with women and youth collectives and their incubating agencies for their empowerment with seeds, information, knowledge, technology, and market access
• Coordination and networking with government functionaries, statutory bodies, and R&D institutions for rapid scaling of best-fit varieties and related knowledge.
• Productive interface and coordination with prospective donors of ongoing projects
• Develop and monitor the execution of demand-driven, market-led varietal delivery and seed scaling mechanisms as per priority pipelines for targeted countries.
• Creating and expanding partnerships, coordination, and communication between breeding, seed system, and biometric teams
• Align the regional seed system programs to the departments global strategy and vision.
• Ensure alignment to platform and institute strategy, plans, and priorities, and with regional strategies
• Deliver strategic direction of the project and/or team and substantially contribute to the strategic thinking and planning of the research agenda and seed and delivery systems.
• Effectively execute needed partnerships (internal and external) to generate needed information and to drive data-driven strategy to strengthen rice seed systems and Product management in Africa
• Lead teams including budget and time management, staff learning and development, and performance management
• Supervise, coach, and mentor scientific professionals and support staff including PhD students, Post-Doctoral Fellows
• Publish and contribute actively to scientific papers, articles, and posters to be used in local and international conferences, workshops, trainings etc.
• Actively seek external funding and secure partnerships for research and development with relevant platforms/clusters and regional team

Qualifications

• Ph.D in Agriculture (Agricultural Economics/Extension Education/ Rural Management /Developmental studies) with at least 1-2 years of working experience
• Post-doctoral Fellow with 2-3 years of work experience; or

Minimum of 6-8 years experience in relevant disciplines after Masters in
either of the above subjects * Experience and a productive track record in technology transfer, and scaling, particularly for varieties, seeds, and information dissemination.

• Experience in grant proposal development, donor interface, and resource mobilization in the South Asia context in specific.
• Experience in networking, team management, strategic partnership with seed trade organizations, and other scaling institutions, and government bodies

Skills RequiredMandatory

• Expert knowledge about the rice and seed sector in developing countries, especially India, Bangladesh, and Nepal
• Strong research orientation for applied studies in seed system
• Aptitude and skills in project formulation, developing implementation plans, and donor reporting
• Persuasive communication and coordination skills for diverse and transnational stakeholders
• Skills to work in a multi-cultural environment and lead a team of people with different nationalities and disciplines.
• Knowledge and Experience in handling advanced statistical software like STATA, SPSS, R, etc is a must.
• Working experience with survey and mapping tools like a Kobo toolbox, ODK, and QGIS is strongly required
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in gender-equal and inclusive seed systems in developing countries

Preferred

• Skills, knowledge, and experience in working on poverty alleviation programs with international development organizations

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.
This position will remain open until filled.

International Rice Research Institute