Technical Director, Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN)

POSITION TITLE: Technical Director

LOCATION: Bangkok, Thailand

PROJECT: USDA Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN)

REPORTS TO: Chief of Party

Winrock International (Winrock) is a non-profit organization that works worldwide to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. The USDA Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN) is a five-year project, implemented by Winrock International, starting from 2022 to 2027, and aims to promote production, trade, and increase climate resilient in six agricultural value chain crops in Thailand, namely rice, cassava, coconut, durian, mangosteen, and longan. The project will identify climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies and will select and promote up to 30 technologies and services in the value chains focusing on 11 provinces in Thailand (Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chumphon, Chaing Rai, Chaing Mai, Khon Kaen, Lampoon, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Ratchaburi, and Samut Songkram). The project supports conducting studies, grants for developers, capacity-building programs, and financial mechanisms to promote the adoption.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Technical Director will lead the technical strategy and implementation for the USDA Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN) project, which will be based in Bangkok, Thailand (2022-2027). The project will source, validate, and disseminate climate-smart innovations in rice, cassava, and fruit in Thailand.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide technical oversight. Supervise the five technical activities (Source, Support, Scale, Sell, Share) by creating work plans, ensuring completion of work plans, and making necessary adjustments as needed. Ensure timely, high-quality implementation and reporting, gathering and drafting inputs for bi-annual reports.

2. Coordinate SOURCING and validation of innovations. Collaborate with Michigan State University (MSU), evidence panels, and other identified stakeholders to confirm innovations' market and technical validation. Oversee the validation/testing/piloting process for innovations in coordination with MSU, ensuring that accurate data and reports are produced for each innovation.

3. Develop and assist grants. Identify research and innovation needs, develop appropriate grants, advertise for applicants, select grantees, and oversee grantees' completion of research and innovation activities.

4. Develop service SUPPORT bundles. Work with technical specialists to develop support packages for climate-smart innovations that include extension, data, and access to finance.

5. Implement SCALE plans. Lead development of plans with technical specialists to scale successful innovations. Ensure that women, youth, and marginalized communities are integrated in all activities where feasible

6. Coordinate SELL and SHARE activities. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with private sector actors, relevant ministries, development projects, and regional bodies. As needed, represent RAIN in meetings with USDA, other donors, projects, ministries, and stakeholders.

7. Manage team. Directly manage six technical experts (business development specialists, field technical and engagement specialists, project assistant); oversee the employees' hiring, training, development, and supervision per the Winrock personnel manual.

8. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience. At least 10 years of experience in agricultural development, research, and/or innovation, including extensive experience within Thailand's agricultural sector, is required.

2. Education. Master’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, international development, or equivalent experience in a related field.

3. Supervision. Experience hiring, coaching, and supervising staff.

4. Project Management skills: Understand the Project Management Cycle

5. Leadership and communication skills

6. Outreach. Familiarity with managing partnerships and engaging other organizations or ministries.

7. Reporting. Experience in compiling information and crafting events into a compelling narrative.

8. Software. Competent computer software skills in MS Excel and Word.

9. Language. Fluency in English and Thai is required.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants should apply by emailing a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by August 19, 2024. Please include “Technical Director” in the subject line of the email. Winrock would like to thank all applicants for their interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.

Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization