Appel à candidature : IRRI recrute un(e) Scientifique – Agronome des systèmes de culture / Changement climatique Agriculture régénératrice, santé des sols, agriculture à faible émission de carbone, Philippines.

Job Purpose

Climate Change impacts rice production through exacerbated and more frequent climate extremes, rising sea levels and temperatures. Understanding future trends is crucial to plan ahead and implement adaptation options to increase resilience of agricultural systems. Working with various national and international partners in different projects, IRRI develops strategies to mitigate climate change (effects) and to adapt to climate change, e.g., through the development and dissemination of climate-smart technologies in rice production.

The Sustainable Impact through Rice-based cropping Systems (SIRS) Platform aims at developing and promoting climate-smart, nature-friendly rice-based farming systems and value chains. Within the platform, the research unit Climate-resilient farming systems deals specifically with cropping systems analysis, agronomy ‘at large’, mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, water management, soil science, pest ecology and management, and mechanization and post harvest. Within this unit, a research position is open in the field of ‘Regenerative agriculture and climate change’ (see ‘purpose’ below), which will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of scientists with a focus of activities in South East Asia and with support to IRRI’s work in Africa.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and is open for international applications.

Roles and Responsibilities

The incumbent will develop and lead IRRI’s research-for-development (R4D) program on regenerative agriculture in rice and on adaptation/mitigation of climate change in rice-based ecologies primarily in South East Asia with support to IRRI’s relevant activities in Africa. The focus of the work will be around the following key areas and responsibilities:

• Development and leadership of a novel research program on regenerative agriculture in rice-based cropping systems with emphasis on increased soil health and low-carbon farming (see below)
• Contribute to IRRI’s climate-change strategy by developing and promoting low-carbon, GHG-reducing crop and farm management options in collaboration with the SIRS platform GHG experts
• Contribute general agronomy and soil science expertise in relevant projects
• Development of dissemination, scaling and partnership approaches, and/or business models for above-mentioned systems that will lead to impact ‘at scale’, such as improved resilience to climatic change and climatic shocks, improved food security, and reduced poverty
• Resource mobilization to support the above-mentioned R4D program
• Nurture and initiate collaboration with partners along the whole impact-pathway continuum, form upstream advanced research institutes to governmental, NGO, public and private sector partners that can help to deliver benefits ‘at scale’
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and capacity development of various stakeholders (public and private sector, NGOs, civil society organizations)
• Communicate key messages and project progress with donors, policymakers, and other primary stakeholders
• Supervise, and mentor junior staff
• Demonstrate scientific leadership through publications and representing IRRI in scientific and strategy forums
• A world-class R4D agenda on regenerative agriculture and low-carbon/low GHG practices in rice-based systems
• A well-funded portfolio of successfully managed R4D projects
• An effective network of collaborators acrossthe various public and private sectors
• Effective scaling approaches, business models, and partnerships with public and private sector parties
• Articles in peer-reviewed journals, proceedings, technical manuals, and training materials

Qualifications

PhD in agronomy, cropping systems analysis, soil science, climate change, or related fields with at least 15+ years post-PhD.

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Strong background in field oriented research and extension activities;
• Have a mix of practical field skills, quantitative abilities; appreciation of interdisciplinary work, and a core commitment to achieving science-led agricultural development;
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Strong proficiency in written and spoken English.