Specialist - Project Coordination

About IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Job Purpose

The Project Coordinator Specialist will be responsible for coordinating the delivery of IRRI's work within two projects in Thailand with a focus on sustainable and low-emission rice production. The candidate will assist the project lead in coordination with project partners, incl. the donor, monitoring of project outputs and deliverables, reporting, budget arrangement, sub-contract preparation and other project logistics. The candidate will further take on project tasks and support data collection and analysis including occasional field work missions in target provinces outside of Bangkok.

As co-implementation entity, IRRI Thailand contributes to two major projects supporting the transformation of Thailand's rice sector through coordinated work with government agencies, financial institutions, international partners, and farmers. The work centers on implementing field-level interventions that promote sustainable and climate-smart rice production practices among smallholder farmers. This includes validating and scaling improved crop management techniques, supporting farmer training and extension services, and testing technologies that increase productivity while reducing environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource use.

In parallel, the initiatives strengthen institutional and market systems that enable broader adoption of these practices. This involves collaborating with government partners and the private sector, applying an integrated landscape and value-chain approach. Overall, the operational focus is on linking field implementation, institutional strengthening, and financing support to enable large-scale adoption of sustainable rice production practices and to contribute to a more resilient and environmentally sustainable rice sector in Thailand.

The successful candidate should have demonstrated experience and a proven track-record of coordinating international development and research programs. The incumbent is also expected to have domain area expertise in agronomy such as precision agriculture or mechanization, soil or plant science.

This position will be based at the IRRI Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand, and may only be filled by permanent citizens of Thailand.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate project outputs and deliverables with the respective Project Leads
• Support and assist the Project Leads to hold regular meetings with partners
• Coordinate with IRRI staff, where appropriate, for their science input towards delivery for the two IRRI-led projects
• Prepare project narrative and financial progress reports for the two IRRI-led projects
• Oversee the financial planning and budgeting and regularly align with Project Leads
• Lead recruitment and supervision of local short-term consultants
• Support IRRI staff with the organization of events, bookings and other arrangements
• Data collection with occasional field missions
• Support IRRI scientists with data preparation and analysis where needed
• Proactively develop and maintain effective working relationships while representing IRRI's institutional interests with development, research, and extension partners across the public and private sectors in Thailand
• Independently manage the performance of nationally-recruited short-term consultants, ensuring timely delivery of assignments in compliance with agreed terms and reference
• Coordinate with nationally recruited staff in the Thailand office, as well as the IRRI Portfolio Management Office (PMO), to ensure that implemented activities are in compliance with IRRI administrative procedures and financial reporting policies
• Collaborate with other IRRI international scientists in Sustainable Impact Department to produce IRRI deliverables as required under the two projects
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with IRRI's project partners in Thailand
• Support the respective Project Leads to ensure performance is fully in line with IRRI and GIZ GEF policies and provide a desirable work environment for project staff
• Keep IRRI Management and scientists informed on local developments and appropriate policies and procedures beneficial to the current projects in Thailand
• Support communication of research results and new ideas in a broad array of outlets, including peer-reviewed journals, mass media, policy fora, as well as nat'l and international scientific fora.
• Contribute to training of local research and extension service partners and other project beneficiaries on relevant skills and knowledge

Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in water management, soil science, plant science, agronomy or a related science field or Equivalent training / experience
• At least 3 years of project coordination experience

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Proven ability to perform in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment
• Has demonstrated research and project management experience
• Has demonstrated analytical skills
• Has excellent organizational skills
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes

Preferred

• Experience working for an international organization

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.