SPA (Agronomist), Air Pollution and Waste Management

Senior Programme Associate (Agronomist), Air Pollution and Waste Management

AP/NCR-04-06/25

The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST) is seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to support and lead the organization’s research and policy engagement in the Air Pollution and Waste Management Programme.

The role requires strong expertise and understanding on few areas such as climate-smart agriculture (CSA), Agri-residue management, technological interventions for in-situ and ex-situ process, Agri-based market mechanism, understanding on biomass economy – focusing on reducing air pollution levels.

The ideal candidate will possess a blend of technical, Agro-economic, and policy skills, combined with a commitment to enhancing sustainable agriculture systems across India’s diverse Agro-climatic regions.

Location

Required Experience

Reporting To - Programme Lead

Reporting to

About iFOREST

iFOREST is an independent, not-for-profit research and innovation organization established in 2019 to identify, promote, and scale up solutions for pressing environment-development challenges in India and other developing countries in Asia and Africa.

Air Pollution and Waste Management Programme

The Air Pollution and Waste Management Program at iFOREST tackles the growing challenge of air pollution in India through integrated research, policy engagement, and implementation. A key focus of the program is addressing agriculture-related emissions, particularly from open burning of crop residues, inefficient use of fertilizers and inputs, and unsustainable land management practices.

We aim to develop and promote climate-smart agricultural solutions that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while improving soil health, crop productivity, and rural livelihoods. This includes work on stubble management, low-emission farming practices, alternative cropping systems, and technological and institutional innovations that support farmers transition to cleaner and climate-resilient practices.

The Role

The Senior Programme Associate will be responsible for executing research and engagement outputs for the Air Pollution and Waste Management Programme. This includes conducting impactful research and supporting multi-stakeholder engagement to enable policymakers to make informed decisions to control air pollution levels

Specific tasks to be undertaken by the Senior Programme Associate would include:

Support and execute the research initiatives.

• Lead the applied research on climate-resilient agriculture, with emphasis on crop diversification, sustainable intensification, and stubble management.
• Conduct techno-economic assessments of crop production technologies and residue management solutions.
• Evaluate agronomic and environmental outcomes of field interventions.

Support the outreach and communication initiatives.

• Support on-ground agricultural projects by engaging with farmer groups, cooperatives, and government stakeholders.
• Conduct training sessions for government officials and various stakeholders on stubble management, and climate-resilient crop planning.
• Engaging with policymakers and fostering collaborative interactions with government stakeholders.
• Organize and conduct roundtables, convenings, and report release meetings.

Programme building.

• Contribute to shaping the overall strategy for the program, aligned with institutional priorities.
• Develop concept notes, proposals, and budgets to support projects aligned with institutional objectives.

Additional duties.

Represent iFOREST on public platforms to enhance its brand and visibility. Undertake related assignments to support the enhancement of the Air Pollution and Waste Management Programme.

Qualification & Work Experience

Bachelors/Master’s degree in

3 to 5 years of work experience in sustainable agriculture, preferably in rural development or NGO settings.

Required competencies

In line with the listed responsibilities, the successful candidate is expected to have the following competencies:

Proficiency in research and writing.

• Strong understanding of CSA, CSA policy frameworks, and value chain interventions with knowledge of crop modelling tools
• Proficiency in English and other regional languages
• Experience in managing research teams, building research methodologies and organizing structured data collection.
• Authored at least two research publications related to agriculture in the last five years.

Proficiency in structured multi-stakeholder engagement.

• Ability to lead presentations and convene discussions to present institutional perspectives and research findings
• Demonstrated ability to build connections and engage with a diverse group of people on research and policy issues on multiple platforms.
• A pre-existing network of stakeholders in the air pollution sector.

Flexibility to take up a supporting role.

• Confident, collegial, and passionate about improving air quality standards in India.
• Clear understanding and appreciation of the role of think tanks in shaping policies and programs.
• Ability to manage time and priorities, and ensure the completion of research in keeping with tight policy windows.
• Motivated to build the programs profile, drawing on institutional priorities and emerging issues in the sector.
• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites (urban/sub-urban/rural).

What we offer

At iFOREST, we offer an inclusive and amicable work environment. In addition, our institution strongly supports professional development through education, training and capacity building.

Remuneration

We offer highly competitive salaries in a think tank space, and reward performance through annual appraisals. The final designation of a successful candidate will be based on qualifications and experience.

Application instructions & deadline

We prefer that candidates submit online applications at https://iforest.global/careers/

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Position open until filled.