Scientist /Senior Scientist – Natural Resource Management

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT) is seeking applications for a “Scientist /Senior Scientist – Natural Resource Management” to support activities of Global Research Program on Resilient Farm and Food Systems (GRP-RF&FS) on Natural Resource Management. There is a requirement of 2 positions where the incumbent will be based at ICRISAT, Bihar Location, India to support ICRISAT Development Center (IDC) in different R4D projects. 

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 tropics have over 2 billion people, of which 644 million are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT is headquartered in Patancheru, near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and seven country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. In WCA, ICRISAT has its regional hub in Mali and country programs in Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. ICRISAT was, established in 1972. For more details, see www.icrisat.org.

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 research on its mandate crops of chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the arid and semi-arid tropics. 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

Job Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, lead and coordinate research strategy and execute research portfolio on sustainable intensification/diversification/climate resilient agriculture in smallholder systems.

• Establish participatory innovation hubs for sustainable intensification/diversification.

• Using innovative tools and approaches design and implement resource use efficient and resilient cropping systems for sustainable intensification and diversification

• Design scale appropriate value chain mechanization for fostering diversification 

• Collect, collate and analyze data across various project for science evidence-based development paradigm in smallholder agriculture

• Cross program coordination for innovation packaging and implementation of sustainable intensification/diversification at landscape scale

• Supervise and mentor project staff, liaising with key stakeholders, partnership networks and donors;

• Develop an active Community of Practitioners on value chain activities for sustainable intensification/diversification at landscape scale

• Capacity development of stakeholders on Conceptualize and write grant proposals and mobilize resources for research on climate resilient systems/systems agronomy

Coordinate and synthesize the research outputs (technical reports, peer reviewed journal articles, policy briefs, research manuals, etc)

Qualifications:

•          Ph. D in Agronomy/Soil Science /environmental management or related NRM disciplines.

•          At least 12 years of rich experience in systems agronomy, conservation agriculture/sustainable intensification/regenerative agriculture

•          Atleast 5-year experience in international agriculture with strong understanding of multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environments

•          Demonstrated skills in undertaking farmers participatory research on conservation agriculture/sustainable intensification/regenerative agriculture/climate resilient agriculture in smallholder systems

•          Demonstrated ability to independently manage and implement large multidisciplinary, multi-institutional projects.

•          Evidence on adapting and or developing experimental methods/concepts to support research in systems agronomy with special reference to conservation agriculture, sustainable intensification, weed science.

•          Demonstrated skills and experience on scale appropriate mechanization in smallholder systems with special reference to Bihar/Eastern India/South Asia

•          Capacity to effectively communicate research for development concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders

•          Strong data management and analytical skills using innovative tools with proven record of high-quality publications.

•          Demonstrated experience in liaisoning with range of stakeholders specially Government departments, research institutes, NARS and private sector

•          A good track record of project development and fund raising

•          Willingness to travel extensively and ready to relocate to any other research location of ICRISAT depending on institutional requirements.

•          High-level written, oral and interpersonal communication skills in English and other language

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 is continuing need for the position.

How to apply:

Applications must be sent to the address no later than 12 July 2023. Applications should include an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae, with copies of degrees, academic transcripts and relevant working certificates The names and addresses (including phone/e-mail) of two referees, A motivation letter stating the date of availability of the candidate Screening of applications will begin immediately for recruitment by April 2023. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employee