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: Reducing food loss and waste is a key strategy for transforming India’s food system. To support this vision, WRI India is seeking a Project Associate within the Food, Land, and Water program. This role will focus on policy research and impact analysis of food loss and waste, helping to identify policy interventions and assess their socio-economic and environmental effects. The position is ideal for an individual with an interdisciplinary research background, a passion for food sustainability, and strong analytical and communication skills. The position holder must be willing to travel as necessary. How your day will unfold: You will be responsible for research, project management, and stakeholder engagement related to food loss and waste policy and impact assessment.Research (75%)
• Conduct policy analysis on food loss and waste reduction, identifying gaps, best practices, and opportunities for policy interventions.
• Analyze the effectiveness of existing policies and strategies in addressing FLW and propose evidence-based recommendations.
• Develop a research framework to assess the environmental, economic, and social impacts of FLW across different sectors.
• Identify and evaluate interventions for reducing FLW within supply chains, including their feasibility, scalability, and impact.
• Develop high-quality knowledge products such as reports, policy briefs, and working papers to communicate research findings to diverse stakeholders.Project Management (5%)
• Support in planning, coordinating, and managing research initiatives related to FLW.
• Ensure timely documentation and reporting of project activities.
• Coordinate with internal teams to align research objectives with broader program goals.Communication and Partnerships (20%)
• Engage with policymakers, industry stakeholders, research institutions, and civil society organizations to drive policy dialogues on FLW.
• Identify and build partnerships to support collaborative research and policy advocacy efforts.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing events, workshops, and networking opportunities to promote policy solutions.
• Contribute to external communications, including webpage updates, social media content, blogs, and newsletters.Qualifications and Requirements: • Master’s degree in public policy, agriculture, food sustainability, economics, environmental studies, or related disciplines.
• 2-5 years of post-study research experience related to food policy, food supply chains, post-harvest management, and impact analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Strong experience in policy analysis, data interpretation, and qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is a requirement.• Experience engaging with policymakers, government agencies, and international organizations on food sustainability
• Knowledge of global and national initiatives on food loss and waste
• Familiarity with impact assessment methodologies and frameworks related to food systems and waste reduction
• Prior experience coordinating multi-stakeholder collaborations and policy advocacy initiatives. Location: Delhi, India Duration: 6 months, extendable based on performance and project requirement. Salary and Benefits: INR 9,50,000 to INR 12,50,00 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:

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 opportunitiesRest and Recharge weeks: We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.Our leave policy: Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.Click here to know more about our benefits Careers | WRI INDIA (wri-india.org)Equal employment @WRI IndiaWe believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability.