Program Associate – Food Loss and Waste

Program Associate – Food Loss and Waste

About WRI India WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. WRI India’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. We are inspired by and associated with World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organization. Currently over 250 researchers are working with WRI India in our offices at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Program Overview for Food, Land and Water: WRI India’s Food, Land and Water program aims to inform India’s transition towards sustainable and resilient food and land use systems focusing on developing interdisciplinary nature-based solutions like landscape restoration, sustainable agriculture to mitigate climate impacts, enhance jobs and livelihoods and improve nutritional security. To catalyze systems change with a focus on circular food systems in India, we also focus on developing equitable strategies to reduce food loss and food waste and mitigate climate impacts. With broader systems change and food systems perspective, we work with diverse stakeholders like governments, businesses, civil society partners and farmer producer organizations to inform and develop land use strategies based on robust evidence and analysis to build the resilience of local communities to mitigate climate impacts, bridge capacity gaps, monitor progress, and inform a pathway to building a restoration economy for people, nature, and climate. For more details, refer to the webpage6488- Reduce | WRI INDIA (wri-india.org) About your role: Tackling food loss and waste is a key strategy for transforming India’s food system and achieving this vision. To support this vision, WRI India is seeking a Program Associate within the Food, Land and Water program to advance its ongoing work on reducing food loss and waste in India, through robust research and partnership development. The position is most suited to an individual who has an interdisciplinary research background, a passion for working in the agriculture and food sustainability sector in India, exceptional research and communication skills. The position holder must be willing to travel as necessary. How your day will unfold: You will oversee a range of responsibilities for the food loss and waste work within the Food, Land and Water program. Research (50%)

• Support in developing a science-based research framework to understand the different sources and reasons for food loss and waste in India and associated analysis like identifying interventions for a particular sub-sector or value chain to reduce food loss and waste.
• Identify and scope new areas of research and innovation around food loss and waste and strategies to take forward the agenda in India.
• Stay informed about developments in policy, technology and industry standards related to food loss and waste reduction.
• Research and innovation around the development and implementation of sustainable practices in food supply chains, and achievement of nutrition security, inter alia.
• Support in developing high-quality knowledge products (reports, policy briefs, working papers) that encapsulate research findings and communicate these to diverse audiences, for influencing initiatives on reducing food loss and waste. Project Management (10%)
  • Coordinate and oversee the project activities and initiatives to ensure the timely achievements of milestones.
  • Support in developing high-quality documentation and timely reporting of the programme. Communication and Partnerships (40%)
    • Identify and cultivate partnerships with diverse food supply chain actors, to leverage resources and expertise for food loss and waste reduction initiatives.
    • Facilitate networking opportunities and knowledge exchange among stakeholders to foster collaboration and maximize impact.
    • Responsible for following up with stakeholders, organizing regular meetings and setting up the agenda.
    • Support internal and external communications such as webpage, social media, newsletters and writing blogs. Qualifications and Requirements:
      • Master’s degree in agriculture, food sustainability, economics, management or related disciplines.
      • 2-4 years of post-study research experience relating to food supply chain, post-harvest management, sustainable food system issues and policies, etc.
      • Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as part of an interdisciplinary team
      • Demonstrated skills of engaging in participatory approaches, and high levels of comfort in working with scientific data as well as local knowledge. Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis is a requirement.
      • Excellent/ Strong research, interpersonal/ written/ communication skills
      • Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
      • Demonstrated skills in preparing programme documents, reports, etc.
      • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is a requirement.
        Preferred skill: Demonstrated experience in leading/ coordinating any network of organizations. Location: Delhi, India Duration: 1 year Salary and Benefits: INR 8,00,000 to INR 9,00,00 Per Annum Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI India offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package. To Apply: Qualified applicants should apply online at www.wri.org/careers. All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose. List of Documents to be attached:
        • Cover Letter
        • Resume
        • Writing Sample Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose. Finalized candidate will be required to take a writing/analytical test. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI IndiaWRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact. It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here

          People-centric to the core:We keep our people at the centre of everything we do - from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.Some of the non-monetary benefits that our staff get:
          
          Health benefits: We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhsTerm Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff memberEmployee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balanceDigital healthcare service: Online doctor consultations for your primary healthcare needsFlexible work schedule: Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their jobLearning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities