Senior Program Associate – Food Loss and Waste

Senior 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: To accelerate private-sector action on food loss and food waste (FLFW) reduction, WRI India is seeking a Senior Program Associate to coordinate efforts under the 10x20kx30 Initiative in India. The 10x20kx30 initiative brings together 10 major farmgate-facing agriculture companies, with each engaging 20,000 (20k) of their supplying farmers to follow the “Target-Measure-Act” approach to reduce on-farm food losses by 50% by 2030. This role will focus on engaging food businesses, facilitating partnerships, and supporting businesses in adopting strategies to track and reduce FLFW. The position is ideal for an individual with experience working in the food industry, strong networks with businesses, and expertise in sustainability, food supply chains, FLFW reduction and monitoring and evaluation. How your day will unfold: You will play a key role in coordinating and driving action on FLFW through business engagement, knowledge sharing, and implementation support.Business Engagement & Partnerships (40%)
• Identify, engage, and build relationships with food businesses, retailers, suppliers, and other stakeholders committed to reducing FLFW.
• Support recruitment of food businesses to the 10x20kx30 Initiative, ensuring strong private-sector participation.
• Facilitate collaboration between businesses and other partners to share best practices, tools, and resources.Project Management & Implementation Support (30%)
• Support businesses in implementing FLFW reduction strategies, including data collection, analytics, and intervention design.
• Develop and disseminate guidance materials, training sessions, and resources to help businesses take effective action.
• Ensure timely tracking and reporting of business commitments and progress.
Coordinate with global and regional counterparts involved in the 10x20kx30 Initiative to align efforts and share insights.Research & Communications (30%)
• Conduct research on good practices, innovations, and policy developments relevant to FLFW reduction in business supply chains.
• Develop reports, case studies, and policy briefs to showcase business-led FLFW reduction efforts and impact.
• Contribute to external communications, including webpage updates, newsletters, and social media engagement.
• Organize and participate in industry roundtables, webinars, and other convenings to engage in discussions relevant to FLFW reduction. Qualifications and Requirements: • Master’s degree in business administration, food sustainability, supply chain management, agribusiness, environmental studies, or related disciplines.
• 4-6 years of experience working with food businesses, retailers, suppliers, or industry associations on sustainability, supply chains, or food loss and waste reduction.
• Strong understanding of food supply chains, procurement, logistics, and business operations related to FLFW.
• Proven ability to engage and collaborate with businesses, including senior industry stakeholders.
• Strong project management and coordination skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and knowledge sharing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and data visualization tools.Preferred skills:
• Prior experience working with food businesses including retailers, processors, suppliers, or hospitality businesses on sustainability initiatives
• Familiarity with global food loss and food waste reduction initiatives
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder collaborations and industry-led sustainability efforts. Location: Delhi, India Duration: 6 months, extendable based on performance and project requirement. Salary and Benefits: INR 14,00,000 to INR 18,00,00 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:

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.