Job Summary

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as Project Coordinator I in its Development Strategies and Governance Unit located in Bhubaneswar Office, Odisha, India. The position would require frequent travel and extended stay in different parts of Odisha and rural India. The Project Coordinator I facilitate and supports the work of IFPRI researchers and Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha and other department officials to assure that the research project meet the requirements of the project. The Project Coordinator I assists in the management of financial resources, monitoring the progress of research activities, and in meeting reporting requirements. Interested applicants must have work authorization to work in India.

Essential Duties:

The Project Coordinator will report to the Program Lead (Shahidur Rashid, Devesh Roy and Mamata Pradhan) and will be working in close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DoAFE), Government of Odisha (GoO) and other department officials on project activities including but not limited to:

• Contribute to regular reporting of the program progress including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports in alignment with partners and donor requirements.
• Closely follow up with project partners responsible for implementation; provide technical assistance and ensure timely execution of project activities.
• With support from the DoAFE and other department officials, facilitate the development of appropriate communication materials, technical documents, advocacy briefs and related materials to drive key project activities.
• Set up a monitoring framework and develop associated templates as part of contribution to routine project monitoring.
• Provide key inputs and engage in analysis of government policies and programs- for example, millet mission, decentralized procurement; assessment of Farmer Producers Organization (FPOs), Self-help Groups (SHGs), and market reforms and other areas of work in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha.
• Assist in conducting surveys (if any)-for example conducting semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions with farmers, traders, and government officials to understand how policies and programs work on the ground with the research team.
• Verify and monitor data and statistical analysis.
• Participate in preparation of analytical reports and publishable papers using information from primary surveys and secondary data.
• Assistance in the preparation of project reports, policy briefs and journal articles.
• Assist in organizing high level policy forum, workshops, and seminars.
• Assist in organizing training for GoO officials.
• Coordinate and liaison with GoO officials, universities such as Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), CGIAR centers, research organizations, private sector organizations and IFPRI team based in Delhi.
• Prepare and maintain performance dashboards for the program.
• Support in execution of the communication plan for the program.
• Coordinate executing the knowledge management plan for the program.
• Coordinate in preparation of Policy for Climate Change Agriculture.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, rural development, public policy or business management.
• Strong understanding of agri-food systems, value chain, FPOs, SHGs, markets, agriculture commodities especially in the context of Odisha
• Strong project management skills, including effective communication and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated experience working with quantitative data sets.
• Demonstrated strong writing skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Hindi, and Odia (optional).
• Ability to work independently, be self-motivated, show initiative, and work productively as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational skills and systematic thinking that demonstrate good judgment, expert problem solving, and creativity.
• Computer literate in MS Office
• A willingness and ability to travel extensively.
• Eligibility to live and work in India.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in fieldwork, using mixed methods for research.
• Demonstrated strong writing skills.
• Experience working in a global, multicultural organization.
• Experience working within the government/private sector or working closely with government / private sector actors.
• Experience in organizing workshops and seminars
• Experience in analysis of policy documents.
• Experience working in rural South Asia
• Experience in understanding large datasets and MIS.
• Experience in liaison and coordination with ministries and departments.

Physical Demand & Work environment:

• Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time.
• Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds.
• Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and organizing workshops, seminars, interaction with department officials, analysis policy documents, data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading.