About IRRI

Job Purpose

As part of one CGIAR initiative, IRRI is partnering with other CGIAR centers implementing projects “Sustainable Intensification of the Mixed Farming Systems (SI-MFS).” and Transforming Agri-Food Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA). In Bangladesh, both Research Initiative will be jointly implemented by IRRI and other CGIAR centers in Bangladesh’s northern and southern regions. These Initiatives will provide equitable and gender-transformative pathways for improving the livelihoods of millions of actors. Both projects will achieve this goal by creating a food production-to-consumption continuum to improve equitable access to sustainable healthy diets and deploying locally viable socio-technical sustainable intensification innovation bundles that will maximize synergies and minimize tradeoffs between the systems’ biophysical and social components.

This IRRI staff position will contribute to the market systems development work for the biofortified rice and diversified crops for TAFSSA, and farming system research, development, and delivery activities for the SI-MFS. This position will primarily contribute to the work packages 3 (WP3- Improving access to and affordability of sustainably produced healthy foods through evidence and actions across the food system) for TAFSSA, and WP3 (co-design MFS with validated and evidence-based SI innovation bundles), WP4 (advancing and supporting scaling of innovations), and WP5 (capacity building for systems design and analyses) for the SI-MFS.

Under the general supervision of the Project Leader and senior researcher, this position will work for the market systems development by linking different stakeholders with farmers’ groups and supporting market systems and food environment research for TAFSSA, and assisting in conducting field research activities, surveys, case studies; and coordinating research activities with stakeholders for the SI-MFS. In addition, this position will also work to assist in the dissemination of knowledge and training of stakeholders/beneficiaries, develop and maintain networks of partnerships with the stakeholders, and assist in the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of projects/activities for both projects.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Implementation of the biofortified rice-based diversified cropping system work by engaging with other CG centers.
• Implementation of market and food environment surveys and other research studies.
• Assist in designing research, development, and scaling activity work plan
  Coordinate with partners to implement research, development, and scaling activities
• Conduct demonstrations/field days (informal) training for partners/farmers/communities
• Assist in planning, allocation, and distribution of seeds, inputs, and other resources to beneficiaries
• Carry out needs assessments of farmers and other stakeholders about farming system research, development, and scaling activities
• Assist in designing and implementing household surveys, FGDs, and meetings with different value chain actors
• Collect data from the fields, including analyzing, keeping, and reporting
• Provide technical guidance to farmers, partners, and other stakeholders
• Supervise activities of the field staff and data collectors
• Operate and maintain a field office
• Develop strong linkages with national partners (e.g. NGOs, government agencies, farmers’ organizations, inputs dealers, traders and millers) to disseminate information. Organize regular meetings with partners and stakeholders to discuss, streamline and implement activities.
• Select locations and farmers’ implementation of field activities
• Organize meetings with various stakeholders to discuss, streamline, and implementation of field activities
• Establish partnerships with stakeholders and work as a focal person for communication with partners
• Organize and implement training for farmers and other value-chain actors
• Assist supervisors in field visits, including travel and logistic support
• Assist in transferring technologies, knowledge, and technical information to NARES, NGOs, and value chain actors.
• Monitor and ensure smooth implementation of research, development, and scaling activities of IRRI and the partners.
• Maintain records and data of field research, development, and scaling activities.
• Assist in collecting, compiling, cleaning, and storing data.
• Assist in writing training Manuals, Brochures, Fact Sheets, etc.
• Assist in collecting technical and financial reports from partners.
• Assist in writing project technical reports.
• Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of project activities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in agronomy, farming systems, agricultural extension, or related field with a minimum of 3 years of work experience in agricultural research and development, or
• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field with a minimum of 5 years of work experience in agricultural research and development

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Experience in agricultural research and development
• Good oral and written communication skills in Bangla and English
• Good organization and interpersonal skills
• Computer literate in MS Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Skills in data collection and analysis using different statistical software packages
• Experience in monitoring and documentation of fields activities
• Experience in report writing

Preferred

• Experience in market development and field-based farming system research and development activities

In addition to the base salary mentioned above, IRRI also offers the following benefits:

• House-Rent Allowance: 30% of base pay per month.
• Transport Allowance: BDT 12,000
• Contributory Provident Fund (CPF): IRRI contribution of 15% of base pay to the fund
• Returning Mother Allowance: BDT 2000 up to nine months on post-delivery of baby
• Globally-covered medical insurance, life and accident insurance, and other allowances.