Job Title: GEF Country Project Coordinator

Job ID: HQ01261

Location: Thailand

Closing Date: 15-Feb-2022

About IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world’s premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Job Purpose

The successful applicant will be responsible for coordinating the delivery of the International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI) work package for a National Child Project in Thailand under the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Sustainable Rice Landscapes Initiative (SRLI). SRLI is a Regional Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Programme of the GEF and involves a core partnership between UN Environment, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) and IRRI.

The Child Project in Thailand seeks to transform rice and agricultural production landscapes in Thailand by reconciling competing social, economic, and environmental interests. To achieve this, the project proposes an integrated and multi-disciplinary landscape management approach to create inclusive, sustainable rice farming practices through policy, capacity building, financing, and sustainable land management (SLM) practices at landscape scale. Inter-ministerial land use planning at the national and local levels in the target provinces Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani will precede the adoption of SRP Standard practices by smallholder farmers, while maintaining, restoring and improving landscapes, ecosystems and biodiversity.

The successful applicant should have demonstrated experience and a proven track-record of coordinating international development and research programs. The coordinating is also expected to have domain area expertise on conducting environmental impact assessment on the off-farm impacts of agricultural production systems on landscapes.

This position will be based at the IRRI Thailand Office, and may only be filled by permanent citizens of the Thailand. 

Roles and Responsibilities

• Liaise with national and international Child Project Partners to plan and coordinate delivery of IRRI’s Work Package
• Hold regular project meetings with national (Rice Department and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives) and international partners (UN Environment, GIZ, SRP Secretariat and WBCSD members)
• Advise IRRI management and scientists on national developments and appropriate policies and procedures for working in Thailand under the GEF project
• Prepare annual project workplans and budgets
• Lead recruitment and supervision of national short-term consultants
• Coordinate with IRRI Globally Recruited Staff (GRS), where appropriate, for their science input towards delivery of the following IRRI-led project sub-work packages
• Prepare project narrative and financial progress reports to the GEF executing Agency and sub-contracting agencies
• Lead the implementation and delivery of IRRI GEF project outputs
• Develop good working relationships and represent IRRI’s interests with development, research and extension partners, both in the public and private sectors working under the GEF Child Project in Thailand
• Coordinate with nationally recruited staff in the Thailand office, as well as the IRRI Portfolio Management Office (PMO), to ensure that the GEF project is implemented in compliance with IRRI administrative procedures and financial reporting policies
• Collaborate with other IRRI international scientists in Sustainable Impact Platform to produce IRRI deliverables required under the GEF project
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with IRRI’s SRLI GEF partners in Thailand
• Manage the project to perform fully in line with IRRI and GEF policies and provide a desirable work environment for project staff
• Contribute to proposal implementation on by introducing ideas and methodologies on pest management, biodiversity monitoring as well as models and interventions that optimizes biodiversity outcomes in rice landscapes
• Communicate research results and new ideas in a broad array of outlets, including peer-reviewed journals, mass media, policy fora as well as national and international scientific fora
• Contribute to training of national research and extension service partners and other GEF project beneficiaries on relevant skills and knowledge

• Master Degree in Water management, Soil Science or other related discipline with minimum 6 years relevant work experience or
• PhD Degree in Water management, Soil Science or other related discipline with 3 years relevant experience

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Proven ability to perform in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment
• Has demonstrated research and project management experience
• Has demonstrated analytical skills
• Has excellent organizational skills 

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes work experience in Thailand 

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances. Join our team and be part of our story! 

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.