Station Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) is a non-profit international research institute dedicated to addressing food, nutrition, and livelihood security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, as well as environmental rehabilitation in South Asia. Established to combat the challenges faced by over 300 million undernourished individuals in the region, BISA operates in collaboration with CIMMYT and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). The organization focuses on innovative agricultural research and practices to improve the lives of farmers and communities in South Asia. For more information, please visit their website at http://bisa.org/.

Job Overview:
The Station Coordinator position at BISA is a critical role that involves planning, coordinating, and implementing various research and agricultural activities in alignment with the organization's objectives. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing farm operations, adaptive trials, and project activities, ensuring that they meet the established guidelines and objectives. This role requires a proactive and self-motivated individual who can work effectively with partner institutions, research teams, and administrative units. The Station Coordinator will also play a vital role in training staff, monitoring progress, and reporting on project outcomes, making it essential for the candidate to possess strong organizational and communication skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Station Operations & Management: Coordinate the implementation of crop calendars, rotations, seed production activities, and research experiments each season. Ensure compliance with farm management standards, policies, and procedures across operational areas. Support BISA Finance at Jabalpur by facilitating information flow and resolving procurement, input, sales, and disbursement issues. Coordinate with staff on daily and seasonal farm activities according to program instructions. Supervise farm staff and labor teams to ensure timely and accurate execution of assigned tasks. Engage and coordinate with station-in-charge and labor contractors to secure required labor for ongoing operations. Plan and arrange agricultural inputs to ensure timely field operations; oversee produce management, storage, and disposal. Oversee maintenance of equipment, furniture, and facilities, ensuring timely repairs and operational readiness. Review and validate all farm reports for accuracy and timely submission to relevant stakeholders. Ensure safety of personnel, equipment, vehicles, and facilities through effective coordination with security teams. Support administrative tasks related to farm operations, including documentation, logistics, and compliance.
• Research & Project Implementation: Plan and execute project activities at farmers’ fields and research farms in collaboration with partner institutions and KVKs. Formulate and implement climate-resilient cropping systems and adaptive research trials at designated locations. Monitor research trials, collect field data, and ensure timely reporting as per project milestones. Support monitoring, evaluation, and documentation of field activities and project progress. Contribute to drafting project proposals, technical reports, research papers, and related scientific documentation. Conduct farmer training programs and support the development of community seed production systems. Provide technical support to project R&D activities and assist the supervisor in achieving project goals.
• Coordination & Liaison: Liaise with universities, state government departments in Madhya Pradesh, and support other BISA locations as needed. Facilitate smooth coordination with project partners, local institutions, and internal teams.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Station Coordinator position should possess a Master's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Science, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in farm operations, adaptive trials, and rural extension. Strong coordination, supervision, and communication skills are essential for this role, along with proficiency in advanced Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and ERP systems).

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Science, or a closely related field to qualify for the Station Coordinator position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of agricultural research and farm management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in farm operations, adaptive trials, and rural extension. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the candidate can effectively manage farm activities, coordinate with various stakeholders, and contribute to research and project implementation.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential for communication and reporting purposes. Knowledge of local languages may be beneficial for engaging with farmers and local communities.

Additional Notes:
The Station Coordinator position is offered as an initial fixed-term contract of 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and the continued availability of funds. BISA provides an attractive remuneration package, which includes health insurance and other benefits. Candidates are required to apply online for the position, and applications must include a CV with contact details of three work-related references, along with a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. BISA is committed to fostering a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity, and encourages women to apply.