Head, Agribusiness & Innovation Platform (AIP)

ICRISAT seeks applications from dynamic Indian Nationals for a national position of Head– Agribusiness and Innovation Platform (AIP). This position is responsible for managing the operations and projects of the Agribusiness and Innovation Platform (AIP), as one of 6 clusters within the Global Research Program – Enabling Systems Transformation (EST). This position will report to the Global Research Program Director (GRPD)-EST and is based at ICRISAT- Patancheru, Telangana.

ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems.

ICRISAT is headquartered at 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 the dryland tropics. ICRISAT conducts crop improvement research on its mandate crops of chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the arid and semi-arid tropics and food systems research on dryland focused production systems. 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

Brief role

Developing high quality business strategies and plans for AIP ensuring their alignment with short-term and long-term objectives of ICRISAT. Overseeing all operations and business activities to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the overall strategy and mission of the institute.

Key responsibilities

• Envisioning, managing and promoting the strategic direction of AIP in keeping with Global and Regional Research Programs and ICRISAT’s guidelines and policies
• Manage the AIP program comprising of the Agri-Business Incubator (ABI), Innovation & Partnership (INP), NutriPlus Knowledge (NPK) & Intellectual Property Facilitation Cell (IPFC).
• Formulate the strategy and business plan of AIP for review and implementation;
• Project planning, proposal development and execution of the national and international projects of AIP.
• Lead and manages the senior staff of AIP within the guidelines developed and approved in conjunction GRPD-EST
• Regularly report to GRPD-EST with achieving AIP’s objectives and to forthwith advise the Supervisors of any matter of importance to AIP;
• Report periodically on the progress against plan and targets to GRPD-ISD;
• Monitor the financial position of AIP and help develop strategies to achieve and maintain financial sustainability;
• Evaluate and execute operational setup and activities of the AIP programs;
• Oversee the development and execution of AIP events – including workshops, seminars, and conferences – ensuring high levels of quality and professionalism;
• Build and maintain positive, fruitful relationships in the market with businesses, governmental organizations, NGOs, donors, the media, and other stakeholders, as necessary;
• Lead the drive for memberships, sponsorships and other revenue sources to help achieve and maintain AIP and its programs financial sustainability.
• Ensure the business of the Institute operates with the highest standards of conduct and ethics, taking steps to help maintain the Institutes reputation of quality and excellence.
• Ensure sound financial and operational controls are in place to mitigate the potential for misuse of funds;
• Make operational decisions and approve business expenditures and activities in line with the approved business plan;
• Deliver progress reports, as needed, to other funding and technical partners;
• Maintains a positive work climate that is conducive to attracting, retaining and motivating a diverse group of top quality employees at all levels;
• Develops and maintains an annual management-approved plan for the development and succession of senior management;
• Foster a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices, encourages individual integrity, and fulfils social responsibility;
• Any other responsibilities assigned by the Global Research Program Director (GRPD)-EST and Deputy Director General – Research (DDG-R).

• Qualification and Skill Requirement:
•  ·       A minimum of a post-graduation qualification in Agribusiness Management
• ·       Total of at least 15 years postgraduation experience in a similar profile is needed
• ·       Experience in an international developmental organization will be an added advantage
• ·       Leadership ability, administration and team management
• ·       Value-chain operations, business model scale-up and staff management
• ·       Track record of resource mobilization skills and donor relationship management
• ·       Excellent partnership and stakeholder management skills

Competencies

• ·       Excellent writing, communication and networking skills in English 
• ·       Experience working in a multicultural and diverse team 
• ·       Experience in handling MS Office package 

Personal Characteristics:

• ·       Must be well organized, detail oriented, and able to prioritize in a highly fast-paced environment. 
• ·       Demonstrated analytical, communications and problem-solving skills. 
• ·       Demonstrated acumen in project management, leading in a collaborative nature, managing multiple tasks, priorities and strategic thinking required. 

General:

This is Contractual position 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 24 August 2023, with the latest Resume, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short listed candidates will be contacted.

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer