Project Manager

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Project Manager (Agriculture / Horticulture / Vegetable Science / Seed Science / social sciences) to lead the “Seed Secure Meghalaya: Establishment of low-cost formal and informal potato seed production system to enhance food security and income generation” project based in Meghalaya, Shillong.

The Project: “Seed Secure Meghalaya: Establishment of low-cost formal and informal potato seed production system to enhance food security and income generation” project is implemented by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) and funded by the State Government of Meghalaya. CIP’s engagement is to provide consultation regarding technical backstopping, innovations, and capacity building along the entire potato seed value chain to increase its productivity and improve the livelihoods of small-scale and marginal farmers. CIP will work in close collaboration with Meghalaya State Government, particularly the Department of Horticulture, MBMA, BRDC, and local progressive farmers.

About the role:

The Project Manager should be driven by the desire to achieve impact through high-quality development interventions in close coordination with project partners. The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for all aspects of project implementation and reporting. The candidate selected will directly supervise an interdisciplinary team of specialists. This is a National recruited position that will work closely with other CIP science teams at our India regional office in New Delhi and headquarters in Lima, Peru. The assignment will include frequent travel within Meghalaya and India. The position will be based in Shillong, Meghalaya and will report to the Country Manager in New Delhi, India.

Requirements:

• M.Sc. / PhD degree in Seed Science / Horticulture / Vegetable Science / Agronomy / Plant Breeding / Soil Science / Plant Pathology / Social Sciences or related degree.
• Strong experience of at least 5 years in agriculture related area or project management.
• Field-based rural development project promoting agricultural or other technological innovation, preferably in potato in India.
• Excellent knowledge of innovation systems research and underlying social science methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative.
• Experience of coordinating multi-institutional collaboration in support of rural communities and their governance structures.
• Strong understanding of integrating gender and other social equity considerations into project design and delivery.
• Experience of coordinating M&E and hands-on technical reporting.
• Strong experience of using communication technologies as research and development tools.
• Good record of scientific and technical publications.
• Willingness to travel frequently in-country and work under field conditions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are a must; additional communication skills in Hindi are an additional asset.