Program Manager

Job Purpose

he International Rice Research Institute with the support of the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has established IRRI-South Asia Regional Centre (I-SARC) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is a center of excellence in rice research and training and has been providing a real benefit to farmers not only in India but also across SAARC, ASEAN and Sub-Saharan Africa in mitigating the risk of climate change. The government of India has accorded approval for ISARC phase 2 through an MOU with IRRI on 12 July 2022 to implement the next phase activities up to 2027 to help boost farmers’ incomes by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing the cost of production, value addition, diversification, and enhancement of farmers’ skills.

This position will report to the Director- ISARC. The incumbent will provide assistance and strategic support to the Director, ISARC in liaising and coordination of programs activities in the South Asia region. S/he will lead on liaison and engage with government agencies, donors, One CG institutions and partners, NARES, public-private organizations and other stakeholders to establish and strengthen the partnerships for successful implementation of IRRI programs in the South Asia region. S/he will lead the entire operation and program management functions of ISARC in South Asia. S/he will lead the management functions of various projects being operated thru ISARC such as APART, CSISA, DSRC, DSR Odisha, EiA,, TAFSSA, CORE, DBT, and other projects of WB, CSR, FAO, etc. S/he will manage and monitor Seed Without Border activities, an important initiative of ISARC in South and South-East Asia. S/he will also contribute to and lead the management of projects in pipelines, new submissions to federal and state governments in India. Additionally, the role of this position will also focus on strategic management of programs in South Asia including different units of ISARC, project management and monitoring, control and compliances, team integration, change integration, budgetary issues, fund management and corrective & preventive actions as and when needed. S/he will closely work with program leaders, IRRI teams, country offices to establish better coordination and communication among the programs and integration of activities to maximize the impact at ground level and also contribute in the budgeting, assess human resource needs for development of new investment proposals.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead management of ISARC phase 2 and various projects being operated through ISARC to achieve the timely implementation, monitoring and delivery
• Lead entire operation portfolio of ISARC – business development, administrative & financial management, communication, infrastructure & facility management, Human Resource Services, Logistic & Event management and work closely with Corporate Service Management units to ensure timely execution
• Manage programs in South Asia including APART, CSISA, DSRC, DSR-Odisha, EiA, ICAR W3, TAFSSA, CORE, ISARC, DBT, programs in pipelines & new submissions to governments in India etc.
• Contribute in developing strategic partnerships with NARES, private & development partners, donors & other key stakeholders.
• Lead fund management planning, budgeting, forecast, evaluation & control
• Engage with external stakeholders such as government agencies including MOAFW, MHA, MEA, ICAR, DBT, DST, CSIR, APEDA etc., NARES, public and private sector organizations & internal stakeholders
• Liaise with government agencies & institutions including MHA, MEA, DBT, DST, CSIR, APEDA etc. beside MOAFW, ICAR, SAD&Us
• Provide strategic support to the Director, ISARC in managing and monitoring the activities, teams and programs
• Liaise & coordinate with government agencies for various clearances, fund release & VIP movements
• Support coordination with member countries of Seed Without Border initiative and provide strategic support to organize the workshop, develop POD, establish linkages & communications
• Liaise & coordinate with One CG institutions and partners for implementation of collaborative activities
• Oversee operational activities such as research support services and supply chain management
• Develop resource plans to support research and capacity building programs
• Finalize & execute the MOU, MOA, and LOA with government agencies and partners
• Plan & execute procurement of seed, machinery, equipment
• Anticipate and conceptualize HR needs & provision for staffing, promotion, extension & job reclassification and budget
• Manage dissemination of communication of the project
• Ensure risk management & exercise control

Qualifications

• Master’s in Business Administration, management, science or agriculture with a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in agriculture project/program management and coordination in agricultural research or developmental organizations OR
• Bachelor’s in Business Administration, management, science or agriculture with a minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience in agriculture project/program management and coordination in agricultural research or developmental organizations

Skills Required

Mandatory:

• Good understanding of agriculture project management
• Strong exposure to office management
• Managing a large team or unit
• Strong network with partners and has experience in creating long-term partnerships
• Excellent leadership skills
• Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong decision-making skills

Source: https://www.irri.org/talentlink/details.html?id=Q7LFK026203F3VBQB79QWQWAS&nPostingID=1863&nPostingTargetID=3466&mask=irriext&lg=EN