Manager-Program Portfolio

ICRISAT seeks applications from dynamic and motivated professionals for the position of “Manager – Program Portfolio”. This position is under the Resilient Farming Systems Program, and is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Manager - Program Portfolio to support the Global Research Program Director (GRPD), Resilient Farm and Food Systems (RFS) in overseeing and coordinating the program portfolio across Asia and Africa. The position is based in Patancheru, Hyderabad, India

ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems.

ICRISAT is headquartered at Patancheru near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and eight country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT envisions a prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics. Its mission is to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics. ICRISAT conducts research on its mandate crops of chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the arid and semi-arid tropics. The Institute focuses its work on the drylands and in protecting the environment. Tropical dryland areas are usually seen as resource-poor and perennially beset by shocks such as drought, thereby trapping dryland communities in poverty and hunger and making them dependent on external aid. Please visit - www.icrisat.org

Responsibilities:

• To support Global Research Program Director, RFS, in developing and implementing strategic roadmaps, work plans, and scale-up strategies across Asia and Africa.
• Coordination amongst RFS staff for implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to ensure timely delivery of outcomes.
• Facilitate regulatory approvals, clearances, and high-level compliance-related matters pertaining to the RFS Program.
• Support GRPD, RFS in fostering trust-based relationships with donors, development partners, CGIAR institutions, NARES, and private and public sector stakeholders.
• Provide strategic and operational support to GRPD, RFS for Governing Board and Program Committee meetings.
• Oversee executive operational functions, ensuring strict adherence to institutional policies, donor guidelines, and regulatory requirements related to the RFS Program.
• Support GRPD, RFS in building, mentoring, and managing multi-disciplinary teams, promoting a collaborative, results-driven, and high-performance work culture.
• Prepare strategic reports, briefs, presentations, and promotional materials related to the RFS Program.

Requirements and Experience:

• Master’s degree in business management, Public Administration, or related fields
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, operations, liaison, or high-level institutional coordination.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with various stakeholders, international consortiums, or large-scale development organizations.
• Strong background in stakeholder management, partnership building, and inter-institutional coordination.
• Proven ability to operate in complex, multi-stakeholder, fast-paced environments.

General:

This is a contractual role for a period of 36 months (03 years), renewable based on the performance of the incumbent and the institute’s continuing need for the position.

How to apply:

The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. Shortlisting will start from 12 October 2026. All Applicants should apply with their latest Resume, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining a progressive and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether they have a disability.