Job Opportunity for Manager- Sustainable Agriculture Programmes – Synergizing Policies and Actions at World Resource Institute in Bhopal

Who we are and what we do?

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, non-profit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. Our work focuses on building sustainable and livable cities and working towards a low carbon economy. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, World Resources Institute puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.

WRI India has the capacity to convene key stakeholders, and forge strategic partnerships with governments, business, foundations, civil society organizations, institutes and NGOs, to scale-up solutions that can bring game-changing results for the sustainable management of natural resources in India.

About your role:

WRI India’s Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration program aims to inform India’s transition towards sustainable food and land use systems. The focus of the work is to develop strategies around protecting, maintaining, and restoring forest and agricultural landscapes to secure livelihoods of 700 million people directly dependent on forests and agriculture and strengthen India’s environmental well-being. Our aim is that landscapes in India are governed fairly and managed well. To achieve this vision of ecosystem restoration as a critical nature-based solution (NbS) for practices like sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices we are seeking an exceptional candidate who can support project coordination and project development.

The Food and Land Use Coalition in India is a coalition of institutions working to support the Government of India’s efforts to bring about a more sustainable food and land use economy for the country.  The aim of the Coalition is to convene and inspire key Indian stakeholders with a view to accelerating globally significant action which addresses the important development, climate, environment, biodiversity, and health/nutrition challenges India faces in the coming decades.  The Food and Land Use Coalition in India supports policy research, engage directly with the Indian Government and other stakeholders to support the shift towards sustainable land use and food systems, and enables India’s rich experience and diverse perspectives to be shared with the international FOLU community. The Food and Land Use Coalition in India comprises high-level policy engagement with national and sub-national decision-makers in the public and private sector. FOLU Coalition in India includes Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Revitalizing Rainfed Agriculture Network (RRAN), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and WRI India, and with a detailed integrated country modelling effort, led by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) with support from International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-arid and Tropics (ICRISAT). 

WRI India is working with Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) platform in India to develop strategies to enable a transition of Indian agriculture towards more sustainable practices and improving farmer’s income. We are seeking an exceptional candidate for the work to be undertaken in one district in Madhya Pradesh (district will be selected in consultation with the state administration). WRI India is working with Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh to realize the programme objectives.

How your day will unfold:

You will be an important member of Project Implementation Unit (PIU) that will be set-up and will undertake series of activities listed below:

Project Coordination and Research (70%)

• Work closely with agriculture department and other line department at state and district level to prepare the first draft of the detailed work plan to convert the project district into a sustainable and regenerative agriculture district, based on food system approach – blueprint for implementation of comprehensive natural resources and agricultural development plan for improving farm income.
• Work with Agri universities, KVKs and communities to understand local cropping systems, agriculture practices, soil health, agricultural information dissemination networks and associated challenges farmers face towards realizing optimum farm income.
• Work with district administration to explore areas of convergence and assist farmers to access benefits of developmental programmes.
• Conduct focused group discussion with farmer groups and other stakeholders to capture ground realities, challenges, and opportunities for scaling-up sustainable & regenerative agricultural practices.
• Map important schemes/ programmes those promote sustainable agriculture and improve farmer’s income.
• Identify key actors, networks, institutions, and other stakeholders involved in supporting and implementing sustainable agriculture and work with them, using participatory tools like social landscape analysis.
• Assist consultants in preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR).
• Monitor the project progress as per project indicators and develop high quality progress reports.
• Support providing field level information to research staff for writing, analysis, and production of knowledge products (reports, policy briefs) that encapsulate action research findings.
• Any other project management and related work as an when needed as per the discretion of the programme manager.

Administrative support (10%)

• Support in organizing meeting and other events related to stakeholders visit, events, training, field demonstration, etc.
• Support in timely reporting of the progress of the programme.
• Take active part during events like – project inception meeting, etc.

Training and Capacity Building (20%)

• Identify the capacity building support and training required to farmers, district, and sub district level government officials on sustainable agricultural practices for successful implementation of the programme
• Support in identifying relevant experts for imparting training.

Qualifications and requirements we seek: 

• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Rural Development, or any other development related disciplines.
• At least 10 years or above programme implementation experience, out of which minimum five years related to agriculture and rural development. Experience working with government preferred.
• Understanding of sustainable agricultural practices and related policies, schemes, and Programmes in India, preferably in Madhya Pradesh.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as part of an interdisciplinary team. Field research experience preferred.
• Demonstrated skills of engaging in participatory approaches for analyzing local context to come up with context specific solution.
• Experience in detailed programme planning and implementation, DPR preparation (preferred).
• Fluency in spoken and written Hindi and English is an essential qualification.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Salary and Benefits: 15,00,000 to 18,00,000 INR CTC 

Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

Duration: Term hire till August 2022, with possibility of extension.

Location: Bhopal, India with frequent travel to project districts in Madhya Pradesh

Start date: At the earliest 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India

WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact.  It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.

Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here

People-centric to the core:

We keep our people at the centre of everything we do – from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.

Some of the non-monetary benefits that our staff get:

Health benefits: We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhs

Term Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff member

Employee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balance

Digital healthcare service: Online doctor consultations for your primary healthcare needs

Flexible work schedule:  Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their job

Learning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities

Rest and Recharge weeks: We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.

Our leave policy: Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.

Equal employment @WRI India

We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability.