Agriculture Expert (Tamil Nadu, India)

Position Description: The Agriculture Expert is to monitor drought conditions, analyze agricultural impacts, and provide practical and localized drought mitigation strategies, including the preparation of contingency and action plans for vulnerable regions. The position reports to Software Development for Early Warning System Specialist as Immediate supervisor and in close coordination with the RIMES Operation Support team to ensure alignment with RIMES program objectives and adherence to Timelines. Major Duties and Responsibilities: 1.Drought Monitoring & Assessment Monitor agro-climatic indicators using satellite data, weather forecasts, soil moisture, and crop condition reports. Coordinate with meteorological and remote sensing agencies to validate drought status. Assess drought impact on cropping systems, yields, and farmer livelihoods. 2. Contingency & Mitigation Planning Develop and update seasonal agriculture contingency plans for drought-prone areas. Recommend drought-resilient crops, varieties, and agronomic practices (e.g., mulching, staggered sowing, alternate crops). Prepare short-, medium-, and long-term action plans to address drought risks in agriculture. Identify critical gaps in irrigation, inputs, or extension services and suggest mitigation options. 3. Field Support & Stakeholder Coordination Work with local agriculture officers, extension agents, and farmer groups to disseminate advisory services. Conduct training and awareness programs on drought coping strategies. Liaise with line departments (agriculture, irrigation, disaster management) for coordinated response. 4. Deliverables: Periodic drought assessment reports with actionable insights. Agro-advisories and drought-specific crop calen Drought mitigation action plans (including resource needs and institutional roles). Reports on training sessions, farmer outreach, and capacity-building activities. Skills and Qualifications: Education: Masters degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agro-meteorology, or a related field Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of experience in agricultural planning, especially in climate or drought-related contexts Strong understanding of drought monitoring tools, agro-climatic zoning, and contingency planning. Experience working with international development organizations and multi-stakeholder projects. Willingness to travel to field sites as required. Proficiency in English (knowledge of local language is an asset). Personal Qualities: Strong analytical, communication, and capacity-building skills. Excellent programming and debugging abilities. Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Attention to detail and commitment to reproducible research/code. Strong teamwork and collaborative mindset.