The selected candidate will be based at Mohit Nagar, West Bengal. He/she will supervise operations in the locations and consultants and will report to the Principal Scientist.
Responsibilities:
Review and internalize the project proposal to fully understand objectives, ensuring effective, sustainable, and cost-efficient contribution toward achieving goals at scale.
Develop and maintain detailed work plans, including analysis of tasks, schedules, and resources.
Identify, enroll, and monitor suitable partners across the potato value chain, providing continuous support and capacity building.
Oversee daily project activities in close collaboration with the Government of West Bengal scientists and project partners.
Ensure timely, quality, and budget-compliant completion of activities, including progress monitoring and scheduling meetings.
Build strong relationships with government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, and farmer groups to support project objectives.
Train public and private partners on early-generation seed potato production, field multiplication, and apical rooted cuttings technology.
Demonstrate best practices in on-farm seed management, soil fertility, and agronomic innovations through field sites.
Facilitate field bulking, testing, and promotion of newly released potato varieties in the region.
Provide technical assistance in disease detection, tissue culture, and seed certification support as needed.
Develop and advocate for locally adapted seed quality protocols and schemes with federal and state agencies.
Prepare and submit quarterly and annual technical and financial reports on schedule.
Present project outcomes at professional, donor, and stakeholder meetings.
Document lessons learned, best practices, and develop extension materials, including scripts, videos, and ICT-based outreach tools.
Perform additional responsibilities assigned by the supervisor to meet project objectives.
Education:
PhD level degree is in Agriculture and agricultural related fields.
Work Experience:
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of six years’ experience in project coordination and implementation, with a strong background in potato seed systems and good agricultural practices. Practical expertise in seed storage, pest and disease management, and potato production is essential.
The candidate should also demonstrate the ability to prepare and disseminate technical reports, success stories, and promotional materials effectively.
The candidate must possess strong project management, leadership, interpersonal, and team-building skills, along with proven experience in project coordination and stakeholder engagement.
He/She should demonstrate expertise in organizational planning and budget management, and the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
Excellent communication skills and a willingness to travel and work in resource-limited rural areas are essential.
Language:
The candidate must be a resident of West Bengal and fluent in Bengali and Hindi, with advanced written and oral communication skills in English, Hindi, and Bengali.
