Community Coordinators – PMI Project

India's Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco industry, primarily located in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, plays a significant role in the rural economy and contributes substantially to the country's export revenue. A key component of FCV tobacco production is the curing process, which relies largely on fuelwood as an energy source. While various initiatives have introduced alternative biomass options, fuelwood remains the predominant source used by tobacco farmers. As part of its commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing, Philip Morris International (PMI) is working towards achieving zero net deforestation across its supply chain by 2025. In support of this commitment, the present study aims to assess the sustainability of fuelwood usage in FCV tobacco production. It will examine the availability, sourcing patterns, and chain of custody of fuelwood at the district level, as well as explore opportunities for enhancing sustainability and traceability. The findings will help establish a baseline and guide future strategies to ensure that fuelwood use remains environmentally and economically viable in the long term. As part the study, CIFOR-ICRAF is looking to hire Community Coordinators to support field-level data collection, community engagement, and coordination under the PMI-supported initiative. The selected candidates will be responsible for facilitating district-level implementation of the study by conducting field surveys, engaging with tobacco farmers, plantation owners, fuelwood vendors, and other local stakeholders, and ensuring that data collection is carried out as per the defined methodology and timelines. The role will also involve managing field logistics, maintaining records, and regularly reporting progress to the state research team.

The Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) harnesses the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to address the most pressing global challenges of our time – biodiversity loss, climate change, food security, livelihoods and inequity. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today's most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.