Climate Change impacts rice production through exacerbated and more frequent climate extremes. At the same time, rice fields are a large emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of rice and increase the resilience of rice-based systems exist, but uptake of such technologies is often slow. Working with various national and international partners in different projects, IRRI develops strategies to increase the level of adoption of climate-smart technologies in rice production. This task needs a concerted approach of an interdisciplinary team of experts.

Under the minimal supervision of the Senior Scientist II, the Climate Change Specialist will coordinate research projects, conduct studies, and contribute to expanding the research portfolio on climate change mitigation and adaptation within ricebased agri-food systems across Asia, including the piloting and scaling of innovative climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies and practices in close collaboration with partners. This position at the interface between agronomic and economic research will work on relevant topics, such as engagement in carbon markets; development and integration of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems and tools; value chain sustainability and other approaches supporting country partners to move to climate-resilient and low-emission rice systems. The incumbent will manage and conduct research, maintain and expand partnerships, following a clear Impact Pathway for innovations in climate-smart agriculture. They will also develop proposals, provide capacity building, analyze data, publish in international journals, and support research communication. (e.g., policy briefs, presentations, working papers, promotional materials, etc.) to accelerate country-level transitions toward climate-resilient, low- emission rice systems.

The successful applicant should have demonstrated experience and a proven track record of conducting similar research or projects related to low-emission rice farming systems, sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient farming technologies and practices, etc. Apart from research, the position also requires close collaboration with national government partners, international partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

We are looking for an independent and dedicated scientist with experience and willingness to work across different cultural contexts, with a focus on Vietnam and opportunities to contribute to work in other countries in Asia.

This position will be based at the IRRI Vietnam Office in Hanoi, Vietnam and is open for international applications.

• Lead applied research on mitigation and adaptation technologies for low-emission and resilient rice systems, incl. activity planning, budget execution and risk management.
• Design, coordinate, pilot, and evaluate strategies for large-scale adoption of low-emissions and climate-resilient technologies in rice production, together with national research partners and relevant IRRI research groups across disciplines
• Support the development and operationalization of tools and approaches for systematic monitoring, reporting, and verification of GHG emissions in agriculture at the farm and policy level
• Analyze complex stakeholder networks along rice value chains and propose solutions for the challenges posed by new developments in the context of climate change.
• Perform economic analysis and policy-related assessments on the costs and benefits of climate-resilient technologies and farming practices, adoption incentives, and value-chain implications, and evaluate target environments as well as farmers’ groups in space and social context
• Develop and evaluate new models that foster enhanced and sustained investment in climate-smart rice production and market access
• Identify opportunities for new fields of research and propose state-of-the-art approaches to respond to them
• Develop research proposals, scientific publications, and communication products, as well as policy products targeting decision makers. This part of the work will include the review of related literature and the selection of adequate research tools and sampling methods
• Support activities that strengthen the technical capacity of IRRI and its partners to use advanced research tools and methods for policy influence
• Foster a productive work environment by maintaining regular contact with colleagues in Vietnam, HQ, and other countries
  Office teams to ensure harmonization with the IRRI strategy and to create and use synergies
• Liaise with donors (bilateral, multilateral and private sector) to present research outcomes and advocate for additional
  research
• Regularly monitor, evaluate and document practices, and derive lessons learned from project implementation and project results and provide recommendations to improve research activities/tasks performed internally as well as externally by partner staff
• Facilitate science-policy dialogues and multi-stakeholder workshops to translate research into actionable recommendations
• Contribute to regional efforts supporting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national climate strategies.
• Organize regular meetings with partners and stakeholders, including policy makers and donors, to gather feedback, ensure relevance of research results, facilitate smooth project implementation as well as policy uptake and institutionalization of outputs
• Participate in national, regional and international meetings representing IRRI when required, and coordinate with other IRRI staff
• Engage in capacity-building activities for partners, including training on climate finance and MRV systems.
• Contribute to global and regional climate science dialogues by publishing research results as information briefs or scientific articles in high-quality disciplinary and interdisciplinary journals
• Support the project team in the dissemination of research results through appropriate communication products and channels
• Develop concept notes and proposals to raise funds for additional work in this area
• Prepare and submit updated research outputs including policy briefs as required and in a timely manner
• Document and monitor own progress and achievements

• PhD in Agronomy, Social Sciences, Economics, or Geography. Preferred
  disciplines include agricultural economics, environmental economics,
  development studies, behavioral economics, spatial econometrics, geographic
  information systems or other disciplines that provide suitable advanced
  knowledge
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience in research on climate change in
  agriculture, preferably in a developing country context

Mandatory

• Demonstrated ability to perform in a multidisciplinary and multicultural
  environment as well as in a team
• Experience in agronomic or environmental science, good understanding of GHG emissions in agriculture and GHG accounting incl. relevant tools
• Good understanding of quantitative economic and behavioral research in
  agriculture
• Ability and willingness to explore and learn new work disciplines
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills as well as strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Experience working in developing countries in Southeast Asia

Preferred

• Sound knowledge on greenhouse gas emission and mitigation in agriculture
• Vietnamese language skills

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.