Research Program Director – Resilient Dryland Systems (RDS)

Research Program Director – Resilient Dryland Systems (RDS)

ICRISAT is seeking applications from a dynamic and highly innovative person for the position of Research Program Director-Resilient Dryland Systems (RDS), to be based at ICRISAT Headquarters near Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.  The Program Director reports to the Deputy Director General-Research.

ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi-arid tropics is home to over 2 billion people, with 650 million of these being the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower those living in the semi-arid tropics, especially smallholder farmers, to overcome poverty, hunger, malnutrition and a degraded environment through more efficient and profitable agriculture. ICRISAT, established in 1972, and is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. For more details, see www.icrisat.org.

The Job and Responsibilities:

• Provide effective research management and leadership to the Research Program-Resilient Dryland Systems (RDS)
• Commit a minimum of 20% to a maximum of 40% time in conducting research relevant to the Research Program in the area of expertise.
• Contribute to the planning, implementing, delivering, and reporting of research outputs and impacts as outlined in ICRISAT's Strategic Plan, Business Plan, Medium Term Plan and the CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) in which ICRISAT leads and participates. 
• Ensure science quality, relevance, research excellence and impact, including internal cross-Research Program interactions and teamwork across the institute and especially within RP-RDS and area of own expertise.
• Lead the development, resourcing/fundraising and reporting of CRP and bilateral research projects in coordination with the Research Committee and the Director of Strategic Marketing and Communication.
• Establish, monitor and evaluate Research Program scientists’ research work plans and performance, and provide oversight of Research Program budget (based on the approved CRP budgets and work plans).
• Assume roles and responsibilities in the internal and external research management of CRP-RDS as required.
• Enhance capacity building of scientists and staff through technical and other developmental training in collaboration with the Learning Systems Unit and Human Resources Services.
• Provide leadership in championing of ICRISAT’s Critical Focus Areas, e.g. mainstreaming gender, monitoring and evaluating impact, promoting knowledge sharing and innovation.
• Lead the preparation of the ICRISAT Annual Research Archival Reports and other institution level reports (e.g., reports required by the CGIAR) in coordination with the Directors of ESA and WCA.
• Conduct public awareness and marketing activities in coordination with the Director of Strategic Marketing and Communication.
• Assist in transforming research outputs into information and knowledge products to satisfy informational, educational and training needs of ICRISAT staff, NARS partners and other stakeholders in coordination with the Global Leader of Knowledge Sharing and Innovation.
• Serve as member of the Research Committee.
• Perform other responsibilities assigned by the DDG-R and/or the Director General.

The Person:

• PhD degree in Soil Science / Agronomy, or other related field.
• At least 10 years of post-doctoral research experience in any of the following areas:  Soil Science, Agronomy, Land and Water Management, Agro-climatology or related field.
• A record of achievement with academic publications, development and management of research grants, and capacity building initiatives.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is essential, and knowledge of French will be an advantage.

The Reward:
This is an internationally recruited staff position with an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package payable in US dollars. The position is initially for three years, and extendable depending on performance of the incumbent. An attractive compensation will be offered for the right candidate.

How to apply:

Applicants should apply on or before 15 July 2013, with a letter of motivation, a full Curriculum Vitae, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience.  The position will be kept open until it is filled. For more information or to apply, please contact or submit your CV with your expression of interest to: Ms Helen McGardle, SRI Executive Search, (hmcgardle@sri-executive.com) (Phone: +353 1 6479206).

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer and is especially interested in increasing the participation of women on its staff. ICRISAT has a flexible approach to international appointments and welcomes dual-career couples.