Associate Manager ? Innovation Management

This is an Internal Job Posting

ICRISAT seeks Indian Nationals for the position of Associate Manager ? Innovation Management.  This position?s objective is to manage the strategic and operational aspects of ICRISAT?s IP function, driving the development and management of the institute’s intellectual property assets to support research and innovation. Responsibilities include formulating IP strategies, managing IP protection and commercialization processes, and handling the business operations of the projects and initiatives executed by the IP and legal office. This position aims to maximize the impact of ICRISAT?s research outputs on global agriculture, aligning intellectual property management with the institute’s overarching mission of agricultural transformation and sustainability.

ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia, Africa and beyond with a wide array of partners worldwide. ICRISAT and its partners help empower those living in the semi-arid tropics, especially smallholder farmers, to overcome poverty, hunger, malnutrition and a degraded environment through more efficient and profitable agriculture.

ICRISAT is headquartered in Patancheru near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and eight country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT envisions a prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics. Its mission is to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in semi-arid areas. ICRISAT conducts research on its mandate crops of chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the arid and semi-arid tropics, with a agricultural systems approach. The Institute focuses its work on the drylands and in protecting the environment. Tropical dryland areas are usually seen as resource-poor and perennially beset by shocks such as drought, thereby trapping dryland communities in poverty and hunger and making them dependent on external aid. Please visit ? www.icrisat.org

Key Responsibilities

• IP Portfolio Management:

Manage the institute?s IP portfolio, ensuring comprehensive IP protection, strategic enhancement, and commercialization of intellectual assets, including research outcomes.

Lead the development and refinement of intellectual property strategies to ensure alignment with ICRISAT?s mission and the broader goals of promoting agricultural innovation globally.

Cultivate a robust framework for IP risk management by identifying potential intellectual property challenges and developing pre-emptive strategies to mitigate these risks.

• Project Implementation:

Manage the entire lifecycle of IP-related projects and initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment with ICRISAT’s overarching goals while driving projects from inception through to successful completion.

Implement advanced project management frameworks to oversee project timelines, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring efficient execution and outstanding results.

• Resource Management and Operational Efficiency:

Support the supervisor in managing the IP office, including budget and cost analysis and financial reporting, and facilitate the sustainability of the IP office?s initiatives.

Coordinate with internal departments, including research and non-research to seek support for IP office operations, facilitating cross-departmental cooperation and resource sharing.

• Capacity building and knowledge dissemination:

Develop and implement targeted training programs, workshops and courses designed to enhance the IP expertise of ICRISAT staff, researchers, and external stakeholders within the innovation community globally.

Develop proposals for training programs and educational initiatives for submission to national and international bodies, governments, and other funding agencies for funding.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Engagement

Engage with stakeholders within and outside the Institute to enhance collaborative opportunities for driving the institute?s IP objectives.

Develop and implement engagement strategies that maximize stakeholder participation in IP-related activities, ensuring diverse inputs and fostering a collaborative ecosystem.

• Documentation, Reporting, and Compliance

Ensure meticulous documentation of all intellectual property (IP) processes, including the recording of IP filings, prosecutions, maintenance, and commercialization efforts to maintain an accessible IP registry.

Create and manage annual IP reports, such as the Intellectual Assets Report, which consolidates IP activities and research outcomes for review at ICRISAT and CGIAR levels.

Report the IP office’s progress, achievements, and strategic direction to the concerned authorities as per the institutional requirements.

• Assist in resource mobilization:

Proactively identify and recommend potential resource mobilization opportunities in the field of IPRs and innovation management. Support the supervisor in identifying new funding opportunities and other resources for IPR-related activities.

• Any other related roles and responsibilities assigned by the supervisor or the institute.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Post-graduation degree or an equivalent advanced degree in business management, IP Law, and/or technology management.
• A minimum of 5 years of work experience in IP /Innovation Management.
• Background in science/technology/agriculture at graduation level.
• Excellent communication skills with proficiency in the English language, both in writing and speaking. Knowledge of any local/regional language may be an added advantage.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Intellectual Property management and project management, especially in Internationally recognized organizations.
• High level of initiative and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in project management, with a keen eye for optimizing processes and workflows.
• Experience in effectively negotiating and building rapport with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Skills and Technical Competence:

• Proficiency in computer knowledge, project management tools, and business tools such as MS Office;
• Experience or knowledge about Government policies, projects, and relevant compliance standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage complex projects with multidisciplinary teams,  delivering measurable results.

General:

This position is on contract initially for a period of three years (36 months) renewable based on the performance of the incumbent and the institute’s continuing need for the position.

How to apply:

Applicants should apply on or before 29 May 2024, with a letter of motivation, latest Curriculum Vitae, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about your professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer.