***DRAFT*** Career Opportunities - IPNI SEAP Deputy Director

IPNI is seeking a Deputy Director for our Southeast Asia program, based in Penang, Malaysia. The position of IPNI SEAP Deputy Director requires a highly motivated young scientist with strong technical soil science, agronomy or crop sciences kills and an ability to work well with people. The position will support IPNI SEAP’s oil palm research, reports to the Regional Director, and works very closely together with the senior oil palm consultant of IPNI SEAP.

The overall responsibility of the Regional Deputy Director is to support the mission of IPNI. That is, ‘to develop and promote scientific information about the responsible management of plant nutrition for the benefit of the human family’. In supporting the Institute’s mission, the Regional Deputy Director must identify plant nutrition information needs and nutrient management improvement opportunities, then develop research and educational programs to fill the needs and capitalize on the opportunities.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ethics – demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and ethics in the conduct of Institute business at all times.
• Research Program – In collaboration with the senior IPNI SEAP oil palm consultant and the regional director, conduct an effective cropping systems and plant nutrition research program in OIL PALM. Identify research needs specifically for OIL PALM. Develop or assist in the development of project proposals for review and approval by the Regional Director and IPNI Group Coordinator. Lead, supervise and monitor projects, secure annual results, and develop interpretive summaries. Convert research results into information of use to the industry, farmers, agricultural and environmental leaders, scientists, and public policy makers and see that it is published, in Institute and other publications, and on the Institute website. Contribute to and develop research on other commodities when required.
• Global Thematic Areas – Contribute appropriately to the Institute’s global thematic areas as defined by the IPNI Management Committee. Participate in related task forces as requested. Work with the Regional Director and IPNI Director of Research in identifying global or multiregional priorities.
• Member Company Support – In collaboration with the Regional Director, respond appropriately to individual member company (MC) requests. Become acquainted with and maintain association with MC representatives having responsibilities in the region. Provide technical information as requested.
• Professional Activities – As they may be important to the accomplishment of IPNI’s mission and professional stature, be an active participant in appropriate professional societies and in national and regional fertilizer organizations.
• Leadership – In collaboration with the Regional Director, we are asking you to be a communications and ideas facilitator on nutrient related issues among research scientists, extension personnel, teachers, students, environmental groups, the fertilizer industry, agribusiness, the farm press and media, and farm groups.
• Reporting – Prepare monthly program reports; develop and keep regional website information up-to-date; contribute other information for use on the Institute website; prepare other informational items such as folders, brochures, white papers, software, etc.; complete other writing assignments such as critical reviews and responses to issues deemed important to MCs and the Institute.
• Budget – With the budget assigned to you by the Regional Director, manage the Institute’s financial resources in a fiscally responsible manner, including: research and education funding, travel and office expenses, and other expenditures.
• Annual Review – Participate in an annual performance review and planning session with the Group Coordinator.
• Publication Expectations – They include but are not limited to:
• Supporting the publication of regional newsletters or articles that specifically promote appropriate nutrient use in the region
• Write and submit 1-2 peer reviewed journal articles per year
• Solicit and/or write and submit a 1-2 Better Crops (BC) articles per year
• Update the regional website at least on a monthly basis
• Meet deadlines on all assignments and reporting to IPNI management

The Regional Deputy Director is expected to carry out any other responsibilities or assignments as designated by the Regional Director, Group Coordinator or by the IPNI President or their designee.

Qualifications and experience

• A recent PhD degree in soil science, agronomy or crop science, ideally with strong working scientific knowledge of production agriculture in oil palm
• Experience in oil palm project management and with the plantation sector, 2 to 3 years minimum
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, and ideally Bahasa Indonesia, especially scientific issues related to the fertilizer industry
• An ability to travel extensively in Southeast Asia
• An exhibited ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, work independently, and to cooperate with others in reaching goals
• Adequate computer skills (working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, electronic communication capabilities, and IT)

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience, up to US$ 30-55k/y
• Pension and retirement contribution, up to 15%
• Living adjustment
• Insurance package
• Bi-annual home leave
• Housing and transport allowance
  

This position is open until filled. Interested candidate, kindly write to us at seap@ipni.net.