The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research, and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.
Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.
Job Purpose
As part of one CGIAR initiative, IRRI is partnering with six other CGIAR centers namely Alliance-Bioversity CIAT, CIMMYT, ICARDA, IITA, ILRI, and IWMI in implementing a research project called “Sustainable Intensification of the Mixed Farming Systems (SI-MFS).” in Asia and Africa. In Bangladesh, IRRI and CIMMYT are jointly implementing the SI-MFS Research Initiative in the northern and southern regions. The SI-MFS Initiative will provide equitable and gender transformative pathways for improving the livelihoods of 15 million actors in selected mixed farming systems globally across five regions and six countries. SI-MFS will achieve this goal by deploying locally viable socio-technical sustainable intensification innovation bundles that will maximize synergies and minimize tradeoffs between the systems’ biophysical and social components.
This position will focus on day-to-day assistance/support in the implementation of farming systems research, development, and delivery activities of SI-MFS Initiative and other projects including implementation of field activities, organizing farmers, implementing training, and collection of relevant data.
Under the general supervision of the Project Leader and senior researchers, this position maintains the records of field research, development, and delivery activities; assists in conducting field research activities; assists in conducting surveys and case studies; coordinates research activities with stakeholders; assists in the dissemination of knowledge and training of stakeholders/beneficiaries; develop and maintain networks of partnerships with the stakeholders
This position will be based at the IRRI Country Office in Bangladesh and may only be filled by the permanent citizens of Bangladesh.
Roles and Responsibilities
Assist in implementing farming system research, development, and scaling activities
Assist in implementing training, demonstration, field days, and other field activities
Assis in implementing household surveys, FGDs, and other data collection activities
Support the SI-MFS project team and other projects in implementing project activities
Work with the project team for regular support and field activities
Organize required inputs and materials for field research in implementing project activities
Interact with targeted farmers for necessary information, data, and implementation of activities
Engage in institute-wide activities as and when required
Collect required farming system and socioeconomic data from the field
Record, compile, and encode data for reporting
Timely completion of the planned activities
Support in organizing field-level farmers’ training and awareness programs
Support in imparting information to farmers
Regularly update supervisor and line managers on field activities
Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor from time to time
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture with 3 years of working experience in the field and rural areas in agricultural development activities, or
Higher Secondary Certification (HSC) or Diploma in Agriculture with 5 years of work experience in the field and rural areas in agricultural development activities.
Diploma in Agriculture with expertise in agronomic research, social survey, and agricultural mechanization will get an advantage.
Skills Required
Experience in organizing farmers, collecting agronomic and socio-economic data, and office work
Basic knowledge of MS Office programs (e.g.: Word, Excel)
Accountability for delivering assigned activities/ tasks
Experience working in any national/international research organization.
