Programme Lead- Sustainable Food Systems (Political Economy)

Purpose

India grapples with a critical juncture in its agricultural sector. Ensuring universal nutritional security amidst climate change demands a paradigm shift away from unsustainable practices. The current system, characterised by groundwater depletion, excessive fertilizer use, neglect of rainfed regions, and a monoculture-driven approach, undermines both environmental sustainability and farmers' livelihoods.

Transitioning to a more sustainable agricultural paradigm, prioritising crop diversification (pulses, millets, fruits, and vegetables) and agroecology, and addressing the population's nutritional needs, will inevitably disrupt existing power dynamics. This transition will create both winners and losers, leading to resistance from stakeholders who benefit from the current system. Therefore, a successful transition requires a multifaceted approach, not just solving the 'What' solutions need to be scaled up, but also 'how' they can be scaled up.

Even when the problems are well accepted, and potential solutions exist, they are not being implemented or scaled up due to lock-ins of interests, influence, and risk perceptions of different actors. These are what we refer to as 'political economy' problems. We seek to hire a Programme Lead to conceptualise, strategise, design, lead, and expand Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) Programme's expanding work in the field of Political Economy Transformation. This will require mapping and unpacking the dominant narratives anchoring the status quo (diagnosing how dominant framings gain legitimacy and emotional resonance, particularly among policymakers and institutional actors), understanding what / who sustains those narratives (and why / how), and identifying / designing counter-narratives which, if disseminated effectively, may hold the power to move the political economy towards a sustainable food system.

With their supervisor's support, the individual would build on The Council's existing work in this field and develop it into a full-fledged programme. He / She would identify our niche and strengths and would create and maintain our thought leadership in those areas. While building and leading a team, she / he would advance our research, policy engagement, and impact in one or more of the above-listed four fields, in addition to other on-going project areas.

Job Duties and Accountabilities

Strategy

• Develop an overall strategy for The Council's Sustainable Food Systems programme by building on existing in-house thinking, assessment of the work programme of other institutions in the sector, our skillset niche, evolving sectoral narrative, and emerging government priorities. The PL must work closely with the team to bring in alignment within the team on the strategy.
• Build a network of donors and partners to achieve indications of support further the work programme. Fundraise and ensure programme expansion.

Research

Leadership and Mentoring

Selection Criteria

Education

Professional experience

Main skills

Personality

Skills Required

Project Management, systems thinking