This position, Project Manager, Crop Residue Management Program leads TNC’s initiative to end crop burning by 2022 in Northern India. Position located either in Delhi or Ludhiana with extensive travel in between. Reports to Director, Conservation Programs in Delhi.
The Project Manager Crop Residue Management “PM”) is responsible for directing TNC India efforts to end crop residue burning in Northern India. Crop burning is responsible for more than a quarter of the winter air pollution in the region including Delhi. Emissions from burning are a significant contributor to the region’s climate change and burning causes long term depletion of soil nutrients and organic matter. PM will be responsible for developing and launching a program to accelerate the use of “the Happy Seeder” an Indian invented implement that no till seeds crops and uses crop residue as a mulch, thus reducing water and herbicide use while maintain or increasing yields. This technology makes burning of residue unnecessary.
Working in partnership with local and international agricultural research, extension and training institutions as well as government, strengthen educational and policy support for this approach. These efforts, in combination with financial and other incentives designed and developed through the program, aim to end open burning of residue in 5 years. The project manager will work in a complex political environment between central and state governments, farmers, cooperatives and NGOs. The project manager must be able to work seamlessly on the ground one day and with equipment and policy makers the next day. The program envisions a staff of up to 20 providing education and demonstration projects across the three-state region of Punjab, Haryana and Western UP.
The PM will be responsible for keeping current on internal and external developments and trends in the field of crop waste management to maintain excellence in their program, build strong partnerships with public and private partners to further the goals of the Conservancy’s crop program, and keep senior leadership in India informed of program activities, needs, risks and accomplishments.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Oversees up to 20 staff with responsibility for training, and development, communications, teaching and finance activities.
- May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
- Must build relationships with external parties and negotiate complex agreements to accomplish program goals.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in developing and implementing strategies, managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
- Knowledge of financial mechanisms such as micro credit or other rental, lease or loan programs for farmers/manufacturers
- Experience in extension, training and curriculum design.
- Supervisory experience.
- Experience leading effectively in stressful situations.
- Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
- Experience communicating effectively with internal colleagues, partners, government officials and/ or media.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. Punjabi, Haryanvi languages preferred.Hindi proficiency essential
- Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
- Ability and willingness to communicate and work closely with partners, farmers and scientists to develop strategies and meet conservation objectives.
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages