Station Agronomist BISA (Locally Recruited)

CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center); Ludhiana; On-site; INR 600,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

The Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) invites applications for the Station Agronomist role at its Ludhiana, Punjab, India research station. You will lead agronomic and farm management activities, coordinate labor, inputs, and seed/grain production, and ensure compliance and safe operations.

Qualifications include a Master’s or Ph.D. in Agronomy with relevant research-station experience, strong English/Hindi communication, and proficiency in MS Office for data management and reporting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Agronomy with 5+ years at a research station in farm management, or PhD with 2+ years.
• Proficient in MS Office data management, processing, analysis, and reporting.
• Strong teamwork, leadership, communication, problem solving, and negotiation skills.
• Strong English and Hindi written and spoken communication.

Responsibilities

• Implement high-quality agronomic and farm management activities, including crop calendar planning and implementation.
• Ensure timely availability and management of farm labor in coordination with contractors and field staff.
• Ensure timely availability and application of agricultural inputs for station operations.
• Manage seed/grain production operations, including harvesting, storage, inventory, and disposal.
• Record farm operations and share periodic reports with leadership, ensuring data accuracy.
• Provide on-site technical support and improve resource use and energy efficiency.

Skills

Agronomy

Data management

Communication (English/Hindi)

Team leadership

Education

Master's degree in Agronomy

Ph.D. in Agronomy

Tools

MS Office

Job description

BISA Station Agronomist

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/.

BISA is seeking a dynamic, self-motivated, and service-oriented professional for the position of Station Agronomist at its research station in Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

The main responsibilities of this position will be:

• Implement high-quality agronomic and farm management activities, including crop calendar planning and implementation, crop rotation, seed production etc., following prescribed policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.


• Ensure timely availability and effective management of farm labor in coordination with contractors and the field staff for timely execution of crop cycle operations


• Ensure timely availability and application of agricultural inputs for station operations in accordance with compliance and safety requirements.


• Effectively manage the station’s seed/grain production operations, including harvesting, storage, inventory management, and disposal in accordance with operational guidelines.


• Accurately record farm operations, including the of farm assets and produce, and share periodic reports with the Managing Director-BISA and Station In-Charge, ensuring data accuracy and timeliness.


• Provide on-site technical support and decision-making for operational issues and improve resource use and energy efficiency for enhancing overall productivity of the station.


• Ensure the safety and security of personnel, equipment, vehicles, and facilities through effective coordination with station security staff.


• Coordinate between the farm operations and the BISA Finance team to ensure efficient processing of procurement, sales, input allocation, and manpower-related activities.


• Monitor funds generated through land use charge back to relevant research programs, ensuring proper utilization and compliance with station budget allocations.


• Perform any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

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

• Master's degree in Agronomy with at least 5 years of work experience at a research station in a farm management role or Ph.D. degree in Agronomy with at least two years of work experience at a research station or in a farm management role.


• Good command over MS Office, including data management, processing, analysis, and reporting.


• Strong institutional competencies, including teamwork, team leadership, communications, critical thinking, client orientation, problem solving, decision-making, negotiation and conflict resolution.


• Good oral and written communication skills in English and Hindi.

Benefits

The position is for an initial fixed term contract of one year, after which further employment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of funds. BISA offers an attractive remuneration package, with a range of benefits including health insurance.

This position is recruited locally. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the duty station country at the time of application. CIMMYT does not provide visa sponsorship or work permit support for locally recruited staff roles.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.