Ifpri Job Desription

Position Announcement for Leader of IRRI Program 2 and the IRRI-CIMMYT Alliance Project on Intensive Production Systems in Asia

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI; www.irri.org) and The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT; www.cimmyt.org ) are seeking a qualified scientist to lead IRRI Program 2 “Sustaining productivity in intensive rice-based systems: Rice and the Environment” and the IRRI-CIMMYT Alliance Program on Intensive Production Systems in Asia (IPSA).

IRRI Program 2 focuses on sustaining the productivity and the environment of intensive rice-based systems with five outputs: (i) germplasm that will improve productivity and be less affected by biotic and abiotic constraints; (ii & iii) options to improve sustainability through studies at the field to landscape level to alleviate constraints, including water availability and quality, contamination by heavy metals, deteriorating soil quality, and increased pest buildup; (iv) germplasm and management options to mitigate the expected effects of climate change and sea level rise, and (v) strengthened consortia of national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES).

The IPSA will address issues critical to sustaining increased productivity of systems with rice and maize, while maintaining the soil resource base and protecting the environment as farmers diversify and intensify land use. Activities will (i) focus on the complementarities among crops within a system’s perspective and the need for system-tailored resource management practices and germplasm to optimize productivity and profitability of the production system; (ii) address cross- cutting concerns of regional importance for sustainability and environmental integrity in intensive lowland rice-based agroecosystems; and (iii) bring together NARES partners of IRRI and CIMMYT to collaborate in research for ‘best management’ of production systems rather than individual commodities.

Responsibilities The incumbent will provide leadership to IRRI Program 2 (60% of time) and to IPSA (40% of time) and will report to the Deputy Directors-General (research) of the two institutes.

Specific duties include 1) As the Program Leader of IRRI Program 2  Responsible for achieving the outputs and product delivery for impact through innovative research, technology dissemination, training and collaboration with partners.  Provide overall leadership in research on sustainability of intensive irrigated rice systems and supervision and coordination of the consortia and special projects under the Program, including the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium, the Rice-Wheat Consortium, the Rice and Climate Change Consortium, and the IPSA.  Responsible for program planning, budgeting, mobilization, and management of human and financial resources, project monitoring and evaluation, as well as team building and staff motivation. 2) As the Leader of IPSA  Provide overall supervision of IPSA research.  Coordinate a core group of regional scientists and networks in the region for rice-maize research and technology dissemination.  Mobilize new funding for the Alliance Program.  Manage the human and financial resources of the Program from the two institutes and donor-funded special projects.  Responsible for administrative, financial, and programmatic reporting of the Alliance Program.

Requirements Candidates must have 1) a PhD or equivalent with 10-plus years of experience in disciplines relevant to agriculture or rural development; 2) a proven record of excellent research; 3) experience in leading and managing a complex, multilocation, international research program; 4) experience in project monitoring and evaluation; 5) a track record in fund raising; 6) the ability to build strong collaborative partnerships across cultures and research disciplines; and 7) well-developed interpersonal skills and fluency and demonstrated excellence in written and spoken English.

Preferred skills include 1) familiarity with rice-based systems and experience with major cereal crops; 2) international work experience, especially in developing countries in Asia; and 3) agricultural science advocacy and publicity.

Perquisites and IRRI environment The position is located at IRRI headquarters at Los Baños, 70 kilometers south of Manila, Philippines, and involves extensive travel to countries where the IRRI and IPSA conduct research, especially in Asia. IRRI and CIMMYT offer salary and perquisites that are internationally competitive, including support for education of children, car and housing at reasonable rental rates, and medical and retirement benefits. IRRI provides a gender-sensitive environment and welcomes women applicants. Citizens of developing countries, particularly rice-producing countries, are also encouraged to apply. The Institute is committed to assisting families in making personal and, to the extent possible, professional adjustments to the local environment. IRRI has an accredited international school (pre-K to grade 5) and excellent preparatory schools for younger children are available locally. Applications Applicants should send via email a statement addressing each of the requirements listed above, a comprehensive curriculum vitae, and the names and email addresses of three referees to

Ms. Selene M. Ocampo Officer-HR Coordination IRRI, DAPO Box 7777 Metro Manila, Philippines Tel: (63-2) 891-1292/580-5600 Fax: (63-2) 580-5699 Email: [email protected]

Applications should be received on or before 31 July 2006 or until a suitable candidate is identified. The successful candidate is expected to report in the first half of 2007.