Programme Associate (Research and Knowledge Management)

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About the Organization

WASSAN (Watershed Support Services and Activities Network), Hyderabad since 1999. WASSAN is a network-based organisation focusing on improving the quality of mainstream programs in natural resources management and livelihoods. It engages actively in policy advocacy initiatives at state and national level mainly related to rainfed agriculture. It also provides field level support services to a large number of watershed development and other programs implemented by the civil society in partnership with communities. Currently, WASSAN has around 300 employees spread in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Job Description

The National Coalition for Natural Farming (NCNF) is a pan India network of civil society organizations (CSO) that strives to scale up agroecological farming practices across the country in partnership with multiple stakeholders including the CSOs and Government. The NCNF seeks to build a platform for accelerating learning, practice, and policy related to agroecology-based farming practices in its multiple variants.

For the advancement of the field of knowledge of natural faming, the NCNF undertakes collaborative documentation and research projects from time to time. We are looking for a Research and Knowledge Management associate to support our work on a project carrying out participatory research on farmers’ transition to agroecology, through models of farmer-to-farmer extension and public policies. The project is part of a joint collaboration between the National Coalition for Natural Farming (NCNF), Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (SNIoE), and Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA).

As a Programme Associate (Research and Knowledge Management), you will conduct field-based participatory social science and agroecology related research as per project requirements, in a team with other research associates and the research lead. You will be involved in all aspects of the research, organizing and conducting the participatory research workshops with collaborators (CSO representatives and farmers), and carrying out frequent visits to rural field sites in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to carry out participatory social research that takes into account the interlinkages between the biophysical environment, socioeconomic context, farmers’ learning practices, norms and values, and agroecological practices. The work will involve literature review, data collection, analysis, writing, and dissemination. Much of the work will be done in a context of collaboration with CSO partners at field level.

Job Responsibilities

• Liaise with partner CSOs and NCNF state chapters for the planning of the field research
• Carry out extensive field research, involving immersion in the host context, use of participatory action research tools (such as participatory diagramming and focus group discussions).
• Assist in organizing and conducting in-person workshops.
• Organize and systematize field research data.
• Collate and organize other background information, documentation and data pertaining to the research.
• Carry out qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Assist in writing reports, publications, blogs, briefs and other outputs to disseminate findings.
• In addition to the ongoing participatory research project as described above, you will also be involved in the following roles and activities:

Collaboration with State Chapters:

• Work closely with NCNF state chapters to identify regional research gaps and priorities.
• Assist in collaborating with research partners to design and implement region-specific research projects that address identified needs.
• Aid state facilitators in documenting regional best practices and innovative models in natural farming.

Knowledge Repository Development:

• Take responsibility for creating and maintaining comprehensive natural farming knowledge repositories at the national level.
• Ensure these repositories are accessible, user-friendly, and updated regularly with the latest research and field insights.

Extension Materials and Dissemination:

• Develop research-based extension materials focused on natural farming science and practices.
• Facilitate the dissemination of these materials to stakeholders at regional and national levels to ensure widespread adoption and impact.

Strategic Research Collaboration and Implementation:

• Establish and strengthen collaborations with different research institutions and universities to identify priority research areas, develop actionable research agendas, and drive their successful implementation through joint initiatives.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

• Master’s degree in social sciences, including training in social science research methodology, and experience conducting participatory research, surveys, and qualitative research. 2+ years’ experience carrying out social science research. Experience outside of academia, with civil society organizations, would be especially valued.

Desirable Skills and Qualifications:

• Additional academic qualifications in ecology, environmental science or other natural sciences
• Ability to use participatory research tools and methodologies
• Ability to conduct interdisciplinary field research and carry out semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions
• Ability to systematically document learning from the field
• Proficiency in qualitative data analysis
• Basic proficiency in survey data analysis or other quantitative analysis.
• Strong academic writing ability
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Familiarity with the theory and practice of agroecology
• Sensitivity to ground level issues of farmers and concerns around gender and social justice
• Interest in questions around learning processes, including popular education and the role of indigenous knowledge in agroecology
• Knowledge of at least one relevant local language.

Please fill out the google form: https://forms.gle/9f6pCk6EVL6m15sq5

Last Date of Application: 31st May 2025

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