BISA - Station Coordinator

The Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) is a non-profit international research institute dedicated to food, nutrition, and livelihood security as well as environmental rehabilitation in South Asia, which is home to more than 300 million undernourished people. BISA is a collaborative effort involving CIMMYT and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).  Please refer to this website for more information: http://bisa.org/.  

We are seeking dynamic, innovative, self-motivated, and service-oriented professional for the position of Farm Operations Assistant.

The position will be based in Ludhiana.

The main responsibilities of this position will be:

•Act as a single point of contact for Station In-charge with a BISA farms.

•Coordinated implementation of planning in the three farms for crop calendars, rotations, seed production and research experiments in each of the crop season in coordination with other Station Coordinators.

•To ensure that all processes of farm management are uniformly practiced in all three BISA farms. In coordination with other Station Coordinators.

•Supporting BISA Finance Coordinator to organize/control the information flow, solving technical issues regarding procurement, sale and disbursement of inputs and manpower.

•To be on site to address any concern or making decision on technical matters; and keep inform Station In charge on timely basis on the Audit/pre-audit related issues that need immediate attention and suggesting solutions if possible.

•To travel frequently to each of three BISA sites and in any other BISA site having finance office/farm management type of activities, for best internal control.

•Support BISA farms during audit keeping perfect Liaoning with main finance office at Delhi

•Coordinate with staff, the activities to be performed at each stage of the crop cycle, according to the instructions of the research programs to maintain parity of process in each of the farm. In coordination with other Station Coordinators.

•Implement crop calendars and rotations.

•Supervise different areas, to ensure that staff activities are performed in accordance with the instructions and procedures defined for CIMMYT-BISA.

•Make the necessary required agronomic adjustments in experimental plots at Ludhiana farm to preserve them and keep them in good condition for planting. Also keep other sites in equal control.

•Engage and regulate, in coordination with the station’s coordinators and labor contractor, the supply of farm labor that is required in all three stations to meet the requirements of the research programs and the station itself.

•Plan and arrange Agri-inputs for timely farm operations. Manage the farm produce, its storage and disposal. A common approach for all 3 farms to be followed.

•Ensure that the administrative and accounting activities are performed timely and correctly, to ensure compliance with the established programs and laws. Parity in all sites to be ensured.

•Keep a check on the funds that are generated through charges to research programs, ensuring proper implementation and verifying compliance with the budget allocated to the station.

•Perform programming activities and maintenance of equipment, furniture, and facilities, to ensure proper and timely completion and kept in good condition to the station.

•Supervise staff activities of the research units, ensuring that policies are implemented.

•Manage the records of Farm operations including movements of the assets and farm produces and keep timely communication with Administration Head Office to ensure timely availability of funds.

•Perform a review of all reports issued by the Farm, to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information they contain and verify that it is sent to areas of interest.

•Guarantee the safety of people who are in the station and equipment, vehicles, and facilities, through the coordination of the activities of security personnel assigned to the station.

•Maintain a good relationship with institutions, authorities and organizations in the town and attend key meetings of Dept. of Agriculture and local administration.

•Overall, in charge of the farm and managing the farm independently and efficiently.

•Apart from the research activities he is also responsible for various administrative activities at the Ludhiana farm and assist other locations to ensure implementation of proper norms and policies.

•Responsible for liaison with universities and state government, mainly at Punjab, but also to support other two BISA locations whenever required.

We are seeking candidates with the following academic qualifications, experience, skills, and attitudes:

·         Must possess B.Sc (Ag)  and MSc (Ag) degree in agronomy/ soil science/ plant protection from a reputed university.

·         At least 7 yrs. of work experience at station/ farm management role.

·         Must possess institutional competencies like, teamwork, Team leadership, communication, critical thinking, client orientation, Problem solving and decision-making, Negotiation, and conflict resolution.

·         Excellent verbal and written communication in Hindi and English

·         Good command of MS Office.

The position is for an initial fixed-term contract of 1 year with annual renewal subject to performance. Thereafter, the contract would be renewed based on overall performance and the continued availability of funds. BISA offers an attractive remuneration package, with a range of benefits including health insurance.