Associate Scientist (N-3)

·       As a Scientist, you will be responsible for the overall project implementation in West Bengal to achieve the set goals for the project. You will ensure capacity building of public and private sector on early generation seed production, promote good agricultural practices to ensure availability of suitable quality planting material to achieve greater seed potato security (supply, access, and use of better-quality seed potato, including new varieties) for the partners in West Bengal. You will report to the project PI for project technical matters.

·       Learn the project proposal to fully understand and internalize the entire project mission and be ready to contribute as an important member of the team towards meeting the set goals at scale in an effective, sustainable, and cost-effective manner.

·       Develop and maintain plans to support the project including analyses of task, schedules and resources needed.

·       Under the guidance of your supervisor, you will develop a detailed work plan for yourself and team and diligently implement it to achieve the set goals and targets by identifying, enrolling, handholding and monitoring suitable project partners for various activities in the potato value chain.

·       Liaise with your supervisor to ensure that activities are completed on time within budget and meet quality standard which will include developing and implementing plans for monitoring project progress as well as scheduling project meetings.

·       Oversee day-to-day management and implementation of the project activities in close collaboration with Government of West Bengal Scientists and project partners.

·       Facilitate the implementation of project activities in the project area and participate in the monitoring of progress made towards achieving project set goals and outputs.

·       Provide support to public and private sector partners and ensure that they are fully and actively engaged.

·       Establish and maintain good working relationships with government extension service, research stations, NGO partners, and farmer groups.

·       In close consultation and collaboration with the Government of West Bengal Scientists teams ensure that capacity is developed in all needed areas for various stakeholders within the value chain.

·       Ensure that quarterly and annual consolidated technical and financial project reports are prepared and submitted to the program management office on schedule.

·       Present the activities, results, impacts and outcomes of the project at professional, donor and other stakeholders’ meetings.

·       Document lessons learned and best practices on the project development, implementation, and oversight activities.

·       Carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor to meet the objectives of the value chain.

·       Capacity building of public and private partners on early generation seed potato production to field multiplication and bulking using apical rooted cuttings technology

·       Demonstration and training of potato on-farm seed management, soil fertility and other key agronomic practices and innovations through innovation sites

·       Field bulking, testing, and identification of candidate varieties for national registration

·       Providing technical assistance to the national program, when requested and within the limits of available resources, in disease detection for seed certification schemes, in tissue culture for early generation seed production

·       Development and advocacy for locally adapted protocols and schemes for seed quality assurance to the federal and state level agency

·       Design and implement wide-scale farmer extension materials, briefs, scripts for cartoons and videos, including through innovative use of ICTs platform.

Note: List above is including but not limited to.

INTERNAL RELATIONS

WHO?

PURPOSE

·       Others research areas and Strategic Research Programs.

·       CIP Regions

·       To coordinate cross functional research projects.

·       Relevant operational units

·       To coordinate operational activities to ensure the effective project implementation

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

WHO?

PURPOSE

·       Public and private research and development organizations

• Negotiate Collaboration
  
• Coordinate joints projects
  

·       Contribute with seminars and workshops

INCUMBENT PROFILE

Education:

·       PhD level degree is in Agriculture and agricultural related fields, plus 4 years of postdoctoral level experience with solid publications in impact factors higher than 2.

Experience:

·       The prospective candidate must possess a minimum of eight years’ work experience in Project coordination, implementation, and management. 

·       Demonstrated ability to write, publish, and disseminate technical reports, success stories, and promotional materials.

·       At least six years of practical experience on potato seed system, good agricultural practices, seed storage, potato pest and diseases.

Specialization:

·       The candidate must possess an excellent project management, leadership, interpersonal and team building skills. 

·       Must have experience on project coordination with stakeholder engagement. 

·       Must have organizational, planning and budget management experience. 

·       Must have ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.

·       Willingness and ability to travel and work in resource-poor, rural areas. 

·       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Core competencies:

·       Innovation

·       Accountability

·       Teamwork

·       Integrity

Languages and level:

·       Must be from West Bengal, Fluent in Bengali, Hindi

·       Advanced written and oral communication skills in English, Hindi and Bengali

Specific Competencies:

·       Leadership & People Management

·       Inspire Change

• Decision Making