Home India Senior Program Research Specialist Behavioural Science, Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration

Home India Senior Program Research Specialist Behavioural Science, Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration

Senior Program Research Specialist Behavioural Science, Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration

Posted on January 8, 2024

Job details

Senior Program Research Analyst BehavioralScience, Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration Who we are and what we do?WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. WRI India’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.We are inspired by and associated with World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organization. Currently over 250 researchers are working with WRI India in our offices at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.Program Overview for Sustainable Landscape and Restoration:WRI India’s Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration (SLR) program aims to inform India’s just transition towards sustainable and resilient food and land use systems focusing on developing interdisciplinary nature-based solutions like landscape restoration, sustainable agriculture to mitigate climate impacts, enhance jobs and livelihoods and improve nutritional security. To catalyze systems change with a focus on circular food systems in India, we also focus on developing equitable strategies to reduce food loss and waste and mitigate climate impacts. With broader systems change and food systems perspective, we work with diverse stakeholders like governments, businesses, civil society partners and farmer producer organizations to inform and develop land use strategies based on robust evidence and analysis to build the resilience of local communities to mitigate climate impacts, bridge capacity gaps, monitor progress, and inform a pathway to building a restoration economy for people, nature, and climate.

About your role:

The SLR Program at WRI India is seeking a Senior Program Research Specialist Behavioral Science, Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration to support the ongoing work on food loss and waste. Larger focus of the work would be to catalyze systems change with a focus on circular food systems in India. With an aim to inspire, engage and mobilize action on food loss and food waste in two large states in India as a critical lever to test and pilot strategies - powered by robust evidence and consultations. Centering your focus on equity and inclusion, your role would be to build evidence-based strategies to reduce food loss and waste to stir action and behavioral change. And identify innovative solutions that can enhance livelihoods and improve access to nutritious food by addressing barriers to food loss and food waste.  How your day will unfold:The position is most suited to an individual who has a specialized degree in behaviour science and has a passion for working in the food sustainability, natural resource management in India. The position holder must be willing to travel to remote locations in the country as well as internationally as necessary. Research (70%)

  • Developing behavioral science informed research strategies for reducing food loss and food waste, and ongoing food, land and waste transition work at WRI India. This would include undertaking research, developing research frameworks, and behavior science informed strategies to reduce food loss and waste for a diverse stakeholders across the food supply chain.
  • Developing high-quality knowledge products (reports, policy briefs, working papers) that encapsulate research findings and communicate these to diverse audiences, for influencing initiatives on reducing food loss and food waste in India.
  • Stay updated on international and national issues on food loss and food waste and propose strategic opportunities for the program that aligns with strategy.
Partnerships, engagement and communication (30%)
  • Work closely with food, land and water transition team in WRI India to incorporate behavioral issues in ongoing research.
  • Support with development of communication and outreach strategy and material like brochures, web content, op-eds, blogs considering behavioral norms and nudges for food and sustainability with the communications team.
  • Support with program/project performance against contractual requirements for the project management team.
Qualifications and requirements we seek:
  • Master’s degree (or PhD) in behavioral science in food, agriculture, and natural resource management sector or any related disciplines.
  • At least 7 years post-study research experience relating to behavioral science in food, agriculture, and natural resource management sector
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as part of an interdisciplinary team
  • Demonstrated skills of engaging in participatory approaches, and high levels of comfort in working with scientific data as well as local knowledge. Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis is a requirement.
  • Excellent/ Strong research, interpersonal/ written/ communication skills
  • Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
  • Ability to work calmly and enthusiastically under high pressure and ability to think creatively 
  • Demonstrated skills preparing programme documents, reports, policy briefs etc. and team management.
  • General awareness of the environment, restoration, agriculture and food domain – key issues, events and updates is essential 
  • Strong ability to communicate clearly and effectively in conversation and writing, including professional-quality writing for policy and communications products.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English is essential. Additional proficiency in Hindi and Marathi will be advantageous.
  • Ability to take the initiative, brainstorm, think creatively, juggle multiple priorities and work under pressure with tight deadlines. The candidate must be willing to try new approaches and ideas and be innovative.
  • Flexible and self-motivated, with capacity to multi-task and prioritize, a self-starter having ability to manage the tasks with minimum guidance
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is a requirement. 
Salary and Benefits: INR 11,00,000 to INR 13,00,000 CTCSalary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

Location: New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, India 

Duration: The position is a two - year position (extendable based on performance and project requirements). The start date is as soon as possible.

List of Documents to be attached:

  • Cover letter 
  • Resume

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India

WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact.  It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.

Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here

People-centric to the core:

We keep our people at the centre of everything we do - from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.

Some of the non-monetary benefits that our staff get:Health benefits: We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhs

Term Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff member

Employee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balance

Health & Nutrition: Personalized diet recommendation from a certified dietitian based on the physical health condition and lifestyle

Flexible work schedule: Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their job

Learning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities

Rest and Recharge weeks:We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.

Our leave policy:Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.

Click here to know more about our benefits 

Equal employment @WRI India

We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, parental status, or disability. 

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