The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is looking for a competent, self-motivated, and dynamic candidate to join as internationally recruited Researcher to support a) CG-wide initiative on Transformational Agroecology across Food, Land, and Water Systems, and b) plan and carry out research for development in hydro-ecology, land and water management. The Researcher will: i) be responsible for playing a key national-level coordinating role in the implementation of the One CG Agroecology Initiative (AE-I) in India and ii) will contribute to other IWMI projects including develop new research projects. The Researcher needs to be familiar with approaches that combine methodologies for participatory processes/stakeholder engagement with technical knowledge of water science, natural resources management, hydrology, and farming systems.
Working with the AE-I lead and co-lead as well as other CGIAR staff and national and international partners, the Researcher will play an important role in the AE-I, supporting a unified and coordinated approach to Initiative delivery in a target “Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALL)”. The coordination of AE-I India activities will ensure an organized process for stakeholder engagement and for implementation of all AE-I activities.
The position will involve stakeholders’ engagement, participatory approach, fieldwork, desk-research, co-design of innovations and best practices, and project management.
Duties AND Responsibilities:
Work with the Work Package (WP) leads and co-leads of AE-I in fine-tuning the WP activity plans to the specific context of the Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALLs) in India.
Foster integration amongst AE-I WPs and with other initiatives in the country in consultation with the IWMI India Representative and respective IWMI Research Group Leader.
Coordinate and oversee day-to-day implementation of AE-I activities in the Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALLs)
Support Initiative and WP lead and co-leads in regularly revisiting the Theory of Change and adapt as necessary to be relevant and ensure delivery of outcomes and impacts in India.
Participate in monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment processes of AE-I.
Organize periodic meetings to bring together scientists from across the AE-I WPs to present results, exchange research methods, develop strategies to maximize impacts and build stronger collaboration in the target country.
Support the IWMI Country Representative in managing the IWMI India project portfolio.
Lead and/or contribute to proposal writing and fundraising opportunities for bilateral and multilateral funding sources
Ensure proper consideration is given to gender and related issues in the programming of activities and in stakeholder engagement processes.
Support the development of strong and respectful internal and external partnerships necessary to ensure the success of the AE-I and other relevant IWMI projects in India.
Work with colleagues to ensure that project outputs and engagement of partners are effectively coordinated to enhance impact.
Provide information on relevant projects and research results and breakthroughs for communication to donors, research users, partners, networks and policy platforms.
Provide leadership in participatory processes; stakeholders engagement and partnerships; co-designing of innovations; and project management.
Disseminate research findings via peer-reviewed publications; convene and attend workshops, conferences and webinars in a range of international, regional and national settings
Conduct capacity building activities such as training sessions, workshops, and seminars on agroecology, natural resources management and hydro-ecology.
Support a work environment that promotes a culture of collaboration, learningand effective knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer, interdisciplinary teamwork, and innovation.
Requirements
Educational Qualifications And Experience Required:
A PhD or equivalent in agricultural sciences, ecology, natural resources management, hydrology, or a closely related field.
A minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience, preferably related to research, and with strong project management experience in a developing country context.
Strong demonstrated evidence of participatory processes; ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders; and a strong project management skills.
Evidence of science publishing, demonstrated by a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, research impact and other acknowledgements.
A clear understanding of sustainable development challenges, especially in relation to participatory natural resources management, agroecology, farming systems in India and South Asia.
Strategic communication skills with the ability to explain development challenges and complex interdisciplinary water, environment, and agri-food systems issues in simple terms.
Policy engagement, as well as client orientation and commitment to demand-driven research that supports decision-making and delivery of outcomes.
Experience in designing and implementing research projects pertinent to agroecology, natural resources management and hydro-ecology.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required:
Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and research experience relevant to Agroecology and IWMI’s overall mission of water management in developing countries.
Successful management of complex research or development projects, with multiple partners, in complex political environments, and under conditions of limited data.
An in-depth understanding of challenges and opportunities in low-income countries and emerging economies related to sustainable water, land and agricultural development under a changing climate.
Successful track record of representing an organization at national/international forums.
Experience in engaging with regional and international professional networks and building partnerships with different categories of stakeholders.
Experience in coordinating a multidisciplinary, multi-location, multicultural and multi-partner project team(s).
Significant experience in participatory research, co-designing innovations, and project management.
Proven ability to effectively communicate research results to stakeholders at different management levels.
Ability to lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, managers, and other stakeholders in a multicultural setting, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Proven ability to work strategically and innovatively on research and development in the context of emerging global challenges related to agroecology, natural resources management and hydro-ecology.
