Specialist – Socio Economics

Job title: Specialist – Socio Economics

Company: International Rice Research Institute


Job description: About IRRIThe International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is 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 PurposeThe International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an independent, non-profit and world’s premier research organization dedicated to abolishing poverty and hunger among people and populations that depend on rice-based agri-food systems. Through our work and partnerships, we aim to improve the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; promote environmental sustainability in a world challenged by climate change; and support the empowerment of women and the youth in the rice industry. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa.Under the supervision of the Resident Coordinator/Senior Specialist, the incumbent will focus on analyzing the socio-economic, cultural and anthropological factors that influence the development, adoption, and dissemination of the low emission package and irrigation management in key rice ecosystems in Kerala. This role will involve stakeholder analysis, supporting and mobilizing farmers, coordinating with the agricultural extension wing of the Department of Agriculture as well as with the Irrigation department. The incumbent will systematically collect and analyze feedback from various stakeholders and identifying the key drivers and barriers that affect the uptake of technologies.The incumbent will ensure that socio-economic and cultural dimensions are systematically integrated into the assessment, design, and development of Low Emission Rice package and promote it to farming communities. The role is also responsible for enhancing the quality of research design, tools, and methodologies related to socio-economic issues, thereby contributing to the achievement of the objectives outlined under Areas of Work (AoW) 2 and 5 of the project framework.This position will be based at the IRRI India Office, Trissur, Kerala, India and may only be filled by permanent citizens of India.Roles and Responsibilities

• Identify the socio-economic and cultural factors that will affect the social acceptance and adoption of low emission rice packages;
• Engage with stakeholders and collect feedback from fields, and other stakeholders involved in the project including KAU, Field and district level officials of Department of Agriculture, Irrigation Department, other service providers
• Provide technical input and support in the assessment, design, implementation, monitoring, analysis and reporting of the project
• Enhance participation of end-users by collecting and transferring feedback, intelligence to various AoWs
• Document the success and failure of different approaches and interventions
• Consult and collaborate with key stakeholders of other Project components in the integration of the execution of the projects;
• Advise internal stakeholders on the socio-economic impact of KERA technologies to direct stakeholder;
• Advise on socio-economic and cultural factors that will facilitate the adoption of value chain and other technology interventions
• Collaboration with stakeholders, KAU, Self-help groups and project partners for the value chain interventions, surveys and research activities
• Ensure that all socioeconomic, cultural, psychological, and gender factors are considered in the execution of the project;
• Identify the vulnerabilities, barriers and coping mechanisms of key stakeholders in low emission rice value chain;
• Monitor indicators that will affect the social acceptance and adoption of the low emission rice and carbon market interventions;
• Understand the vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms of key stakeholders to the risks in rice production;
• Support the overall dissemination experiment design and implementation; and Contribute to the development of report and publication of research outcomes at academic and policy level forums;
• Contribute to the development of report and publication of research process and outcomes at academic and policy level forums.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Agricultural Extension/Social Science/Economics or related field with a minimum 3 years of relevant experience
• PhD in Agricultural Extension, Social Science/ Economics or related field with a minimum 1 year relevant experience.

Skills RequiredMandatory:

• Experience in Initiating and Managing Change
• Experience in Project Planning
• Excellent Analytical, Presentation, and Research skills
• Strong Advocacy and Networking Skills
• Understand Change Management/Familiar with Theory of Change
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred:

• Familiar with the rice sector in Kerala
• Knowledge of local language

Allowances:

• In addition to the base salary mentioned above, IRRI also offers the following allowances:
• House-Rent Allowance: IRRI provides a house rent allowance of 40% of base pay per month.
• Transport Allowance: A monthly transport allowance of INR 4,000
• Dearness Allowance: One Hundred and Thirteen percent (113%) of employee’s base pay.
• Leave Travel Allowance (LTA): One-month base pay per annum, on availing minimum 2 days of vacation leave
• Education Allowance: INR 1000/- per child per month (limited 2 children)

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

Expected salary:

Location: Kerala

Job date: Fri, 25 Jul 2025 22:47:32 GMT

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