Senior Manager – Food and Land Use Coalition India : World Resources Institute (WRI)

Who we are and what we do?
World Resources Institute India is an independent, non-profit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. Our work focuses on building sustainable and livable cities and working towards a low carbon economy. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, World Resources Institute puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.

WRI India has the capacity to convene key stakeholders, and forge strategic partnerships with governments, business, foundations, civil society organizations, institutes and NGOs, to scale-up solutions that can bring game-changing results for the sustainable management of natural resources in India.

Overview of Food and Land Use Coalition
Established in 2017, the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) is a community of organizations and individuals committed to the urgent need to transform the way we produce and consume food and use our land for people, nature, and climate. The core partners of the FOLU India Country platform are Council on Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Revitalising Rainfed Area Network (RRA-N), World Resources Institute India (WRI India).

Working at FOLU India offers you the unique opportunity to learn and grow as you collaborate with a diverse set of change agents across India. As a unique group that works on food system transformation, we seek thoughtful, open-minded and sensitive individuals who can help us support this transformation and make a positive difference in the way we produce and consume food.

About your role:
FOLU India is looking to recruit a Senior Manager with an advanced degree in agriculture, environmental conservation, natural resource management or other related subjects with a minimum of 10 years of experience in strategic planning, programme management, donor relationships and effective coalition management.
FOLU India has established initiatives for improving the resource efficiency, environmental sustainability, productivity, and retentiveness of agriculture in India. These initiatives and programmes are implemented through its partners, but with a common vision, implementation strategies and result framework. The agriculture interventions include broader network and platform building for catalyzing climate finance to support the adaptation and increase the resource efficiency of agriculture. Using a value chain-based approach, FOLU never limits the agriculture interventions to farming; rather includes improving the backward and the forward linkages while also managing food loss and food waste. FOLU has a strong emphasis on social and gender inclusion while planning agriculture interventions. More about FOLU India: foluindia.org.

FOLU India offers a true global and multicultural environment to the candidate for personal and professional development. The position will provide opportunities for extensive travel to different parts of India and experience actual field work especially in the rural parts of India where limited infrastructure facilities may be available. International travel may also arise occasionally.

With the above background, the successful candidate in this position will efficiently lead the sustainable agriculture portfolio of the Coalition, bringing all the partners and stakeholders together. She/ He / They will accommodate the values and vision of multiple partners and synchronize the FOLU India sustainable agriculture programme to stand out as a value-added endeavor using the strengths of the partners and stakeholders. She / He / They will actively participate in institutional development activities such as identifying and writing proposals, engaging with partners, and other opportunities. The successful candidate will independently manage a research project, resources, stakeholder engagement, travel, thereby representing FOLU India at various platforms. The candidate also will interact with the global secretariat of FOLU for multiple purposes like synergizing the work with other country platforms, fundraising, knowledge building and donor reporting etc. She /He / They will also work with other country platforms towards cross-learning and building collective momentum for global food system transformation.
 
Responsibilities:

Project implementation coordination – FOLU India Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (50%)

• Coordinate with FOLU India partners and India and Global Secretariat for implementation of FOLU India
• Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (FISAI).Support the FOLU India partners to synchronize the research and development of landscape-level implementation plans under the FISAI Initiative.
• Facilitate the research, establishing collaborations and implementations of the landscape level plan in all the IKEA Foundation-supported landscapes in India.
• Facilitate the India–Ethiopia collaboration under the IKEA Foundation-supported agriculture programme.
• Support FOLU India partners for knowledge and data exchange and bring synergy to the landscape-level implementation plan development.
• Coordinate the implementation of the Madhya Pradesh – Sustainable Agriculture Program – Synergizing Policies and Actions.
• Coordinate the implementation of the Financing Nature-based Solutions: A Path to Prosperity, Food Security and Resilience project under FISAI.
• Coordinate FISAI activities to ensure achievement of milestones within the planned timeline.Be responsible for ensuring the adherence to the implementation of the Initiative frameworks, achievement, and timely delivery of milestones and timelines.
• Ensure the time-to-time project reporting.

Support Fundraising for FOLU India (10%)

• Support the FOLU India Country Coordinator for overall fundraising efforts for FOLU India activities.

Support development of the Food System Transformation Hub (30%)

• Support the FOLU India Country Coordinator for developing the structural and functional framework of the Food Systems Hub.
• Supervise the programme team for planning, conducting, and documentation of the regional consultations.
• Work with partners and core/PMU team for planning, organizing, conducting and documenting the Food
• System Hub – Summit in October 2024.

Other programme management responsibilities (10%)

• Support effective communication, organise meetings and consultations.

Qualifications and requirements we seek:

• Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Natural Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Development Studies, or any related field. A doctoral degree is an advantage.
• At least 10 years of full time, post-study experience of working in inter-disciplinary, results-oriented teams.
• At least 3 years of experience in a project management role involving planning, coordination, financial management, monitoring, donor management, and reporting.
• Articulate, versatile, highly skilled researcher with exceptional writing and strong oral communication skills.
• Demonstrable skills of engagement with government, private, and civil society stakeholders at national and state levels.
• Good oral and written communication skills suitable for diverse stakeholders including local communities, governments, business sector and non-government organizations.
• Fluency in spoken and written English as well as one additional regional Indian language. Knowledge of Hindi will be an advantage.
• Ability to take initiative, juggle multiple priorities and work under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Commitment to WRI / FOLU mission and values.
• Excellent inter-personal communication skills, including the ability to encourage collaboration with other programs, international offices, and partners.
• Deep understanding of Indian agriculture and development issues as well as the institutional dynamics and key players in research, government, private sector, and civil society.
• Highly motivated, proactive work style and excellent organizational skills.

Salary and Benefits: INR 20,00,000 to 24,00,000 Per Annum Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

Location:  New Delhi, India. The selected candidate will need to travel to various project locations and other areas, if required.

Duration: 1 year (extendable based on project requirement and performance)

The start date is as soon as possible.

List of Documents to be attached:

• Cover letter explaining how your academic and professional background and skills meet the requirements of this position.
• Resume
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India
• WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact.  It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.
• Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here
  People-centric to the core:
• We keep our people at the centre of everything we do – from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.

Some of the non-monetary benefits that our staff get:

• Health benefits: We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhs
• Term Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff member
• Employee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balance
• Digital healthcare service: Online doctor consultations for your primary healthcare needs
• Flexible work schedule:  Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their job
• Learning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities
• Rest and Recharge weeks: We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.
• Our leave policy: Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.

Equal employment @WRI India
We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability.