Head - Experiment Station -- IRRI, Philippines

Head - Experiment Station

Job ID:HQ00170

Location:Philippines

Closing Date:15-Jan-2015

Salary:70000.00  - 120000.00  USD per Year

About IRRI

IRRI is a nonprofit independent research and training organization and is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. IRRI’s research is being done under the framework of the CGIAR Research Program on Rice, also known as the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP), which the Institute leads.

Job Purpose

The successful candidate will manage IRRI’s Research Farm including cost-efficient management of all resources to the high quality standards of a modern, international research farm operation.
This position is based at IRRI Headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines. Internationally Recruited Staff benefits can be found here.

Roles and Responsibilities

1.  Responsible for providing strategic direction of the Experiment Station (ES) at Los Banos.

• Develop and implement new business approaches for managing the ES resources
• Regularly review the structure of the ES team and initiate necessary changes
• Oversee and coach the performance of ES team
• Encourage the professional development of ES staff

2. Resource Management

• Implement full cost recovery initiatives on the research station in a transparent and supportive manner; and maximize the usage of new technologies to enable innovation, communication and greater efficiencies
• Develop, implement and, monitor operational plans for the management of assets (land, buildings, machinery/equipment) and farming activities on (or under the control of) the Experimental Station
• Manage experimental station assets for the acquisition, security and disposal of machinery, equipment, buildings, produce and consumables
• Oversee contract labor services which serves as temporary unskilled agricultural manpower requirements of IRRI researchers
• Ensure efficient systems for billing, materials and labor management, and self-sustained business planning

3. Experiment Station Services (e.g. field management, grounds and controlled environment services)

• Oversee the management of the grounds unit services which includes landscape development and maintenance as well as waste management at the staff housing and the research center
• Ensure effective field management services such as land development, land preparation, fallow management, irrigation, nutrient and pest management, crop scouting and providing advice to research groups, and harvesting
• Develop and implement policies for operating field, greenhouse, and phytotron facilities
• Ensure controlled environment facilities (screenhouses, greenhouses and phytotron) are provided to researchers at an international standard.
• Proactively identify areas for improvement in field and greenhouse management and communicate this to research groups and IRRI management.
• Ensure timely delivery of repair and maintenance services for tractors, graders, threshers, harvesters, dryers and other farm infrastructure, special equipment and associated facilities
• Manage cost-efficient seed production on 20-40 ha of land and operation and maintenance of the rice mill

4. Stakeholder Management

• Lead the Experiment Station Management Committee as the principal interface between the ES and research groups in IRRI
• Develop and maintain constructive working relationships and networks with staff, clients and stakeholders
• Provide advice to stakeholders related to ES services(e.g. grounds, field, and controlled environment)

5. Others

• At the request of the DDGR, provide input into IRRIs development or running of experimental stations at other sites globally
• Implement new construction and refurbishment projects in a cost-efficient, time-bound and transparent manner
• Implement appropriate risk management strategies including workplace health and safety and ensure site operations comply with all corporate governance and regulatory frameworks
• Implement environmental management systems
• Other functions as agreed with the DDG-R

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma from a recognized tertiary institution or equivalent academic qualifications and experience, in agronomy, agricultural engineering or other fields relevant to the position;
• At least 5 years experience in the management of an agricultural research stations or comparable operations

Skills Required

• Demonstrated knowledge of modern farming technologies and farm management approaches, with particular emphasis on agronomic best management practices. Knowledge of rice farming and research methods is an additional advantage.
• A demonstrated ability for conducting business planning and managing assets and operations associated with field and controlled environment research on a cost-efficient basis.
• A demonstrated record of leadership and productivity in the context of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment
• Current driver’s license and ability to operate farm machinery
• High level interpersonal skills
• Foster diversity and tolerance of diversity in the team

Key Performance Indicatiors

1. Timely delivery of Experiment Station services (e.g. field and bio-environment) and goals according to plan and milestones
2. No budget deficits noted
3. Timely delivery of operations, manpower and facilities necessary to conduct field and greenhouse research projects at high quality standards
4. High level customer satisfaction rating from researchers and seed purchasers.
5. Satisfactory performance of staff
6. Assets and farm activities adequately controlled – minimal losses
7. Compliance to standards as reflected by only minor incidences recorded in audits

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Moreinfo: http://jobs.irri.org