myOrientation

This online orientation provides you with information you need to settle into life at IRRI. It gives a glimpse of what we do and how you fit into the big picture. It is divided into several lessons, at the end of which is a quiz to check how much you have learned.

We hope you enjoy using your online orientation as much as we enjoyed preparing it for you.

IRRI at a glance

A brief walk through IRRI history, and some quick facts and figures

IRRI's history

IRRI: Quick facts

IRRI's Directors General

IRRI's Board of Trustees

IRRI's Board of Trustees (BOT) is composed of fifteen members who are among world leaders in their respective disciplines. The BOT reviews IRRI's research priorities and resources and sets the Institute's direction, policy, and strategies. The director general is responsible for ensuring that these are carried out. Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman is the current chair of the BOT.

IRRI's Management Committee

Bob
Robert Zeigler

Director General

Has the over all control in implementing the decision of the Board of Trustees.

Matthew
Matthew Morell

Deputy Director General for Research

Makes sure IRRI is at the forefront of rice research.

Norm
Norman Macdonald

Deputy Director General for Management Services

Provides proactive results-oriented services to support the achievement of IRRI's mission.

Bruce
V. Bruce Tolentino

Deputy Director General for Communication and Partnership

Provides leadership and direction to IRRI's communication and partnership activities.

Corinta
Corinta Guerta

Director for External Relations

Is responsible for making sure IRRI maintains a good relationship with donors and research partners.

Chris
Christine Croombes

Director for Human Resources

Provides high quality support to employees and partners with managers to make sure IRRI remains a good place to work.

What makes us different

IRRI is a nonprofit organisation motivated by its mission, goals, and values

IRRI is a nonprofit independent research and training organization and is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. IRRI’s research is being done under the framework of the CGIAR Research Program on Rice, also known as the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP), which the Institute leads.

Our goals

Ensure that rice production is stable and sustainable, does minimal harm to the environment, and can cope with climate change.

Improve the nutrition and health of poor rice consumers and rice farmers.

Provide equitable access to information and knowledge on rice and help develop the next generation of rice scientists.

Provide rice scientists and rice producers with the genetic information and materials they need to breed better rice varieties, develop technologies to support optimal farming practices, and enhance rice production.

Our values

Excellence and Quality Service
At IRRI, we aim high. We are passionate about what we do, and we are fully committed to doing the very best we can, to international standards, in all circumstances.

Integrity and Accountability
Our integrity is central to the maintenance of stakeholder confidence in our Institute. We use resources efficiently, collaboratively, and in consideration of our stakeholders

Innovation and Creativity
We are constantly looking forward for ways to improve our individual and collective ability to meet our mission,. We accept change that will aid our continuous improvement and foster innovation and creativity to drive that change.

Respect and Diversity
We are proud to be part of a multi-cultural organization that employs women and men from all around the world. We are committed to supporting and respecting each other’s efforts to balance our personal and professional lives.

Teamwork and Partnership
We acknowledge each other’s expertise and are willing to collaborate. We are consultative and participative. We constantly reach out to new partners outside IRRI, in the public and private sectors, who share our mission and values and strive to work with them in fulfilling our mission.

Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Sustainability
We respect and value the important knowledge that indigenous communities hold. We are committed to environmental sustainability and our research approaches and operations are guided by the principles of respect for indigenous knowledge and environmental sustainability.

Our funding

IRRI is a nonprofit organization which means any funds we receive go directly to our mission toward reducing poverty and hunger, improving the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensuring that rice production is environmentally sustainable.

We receive financial support from many donors around the world. These include governments, philanthropic foundations, the private sector, international agencies, universities, and through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.

What we need to know

All employees and persons under contract to IRRI are expected to follow the rules imposed by the Institute

IRRI Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct sets out basic principles and a methodology to help guide all of us as we work toward achieving IRRI's mission.

The Code cannot address all possible situations. IRRI employees and contractors to IRRI are encouraged to approach their Supervisor or Human Resource Services with questions regarding this Code. You download a PDF document of the IRRI Code of Conduct and the Guidelines on IRRI's Disciplinary Procedures by clicking on the links below.

Network user’s Code of Conduct

IRRI’s computer and communications systems are provided primarily for official use only. Any other authorized uses will be spelled out as warranted in complementary policy documents. Uses that are neither official nor explicitly authorized are not allowed.

Software

To connect to the IRRI network, you must have IRRI’s standard antivirus software installed or you must have your own copy of the same software installed, and it must be up to date.
No IRRI software may be installed on computers not owned by IRRI except and unless such installation is not in violation of IRRI’s software licensing agreements.
Third-party software may be installed on IRRI computers only with the authorization of the head of the organizational unit concerned, who must verify that any required license or proof of purchase can be presented on demand.

Hardware

The possession, transfer, and disposal of fixed IT assets must be in accordance with the existing “Systems and Operating Procedures on IRRI Properties Assigned for Plant, Property & Equipment."
Network devices not belonging to IRRI may not be connected to IRRI’s network without authorization from IT Services.

Resource Usage

Any excessive use of network resources, in particular bandwith and storage, is forbidden.
Excessive use is use that suddenly and adversley affects the work of others without notice.

Security

Using passwords, access codes, accounts, and personally assigned network facilities other than those assigned to you is forbidden as is the sharing of these with others.
Loss, theft, and unauthorized use of passwords, accounts, or computers must be reported immediately to IT Services.
Passwords may not be used to prevent IRRI (the DG or persons designated by the DG) from accessing information on any IRRI computer.
Use of passwords to protect any Microsoft Exchange folders is specifically prohibited because they cannot be recovered if lost.
Unauthorized use of administrative privileges is forbidden.
Efforts to “test” IT security without prior disclosure and appropriate authorization from IT Services are forbidden.

Occupational health and Safety

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is committed to the pursuit of progressive improvement in health and safety of its employees, affiliates, visitors, and service providers. Because of the nature of activities involved in research, IRRI recognizes the fact that it cannot provide a completely risk-free environment. However, it is committed to doing all that is reasonably practicable to provide a safe and healthy working environment.

IRRI is committed to

Complying with relevant standards and codes of health and safety practice, both local and international;
Mitigating the risks to health and safety;
Requiring supervisors and management to set a high standard to promote a culture of health and safety;
Monitoring health and safety performance throughout IRRI;
Ensuring that the health and safety policy and all subsidiary policies and procedures are updated at regular intervals and made accessible to employees, affiliates and organizational units in a timely manner;
Ensuring that all employees and affiliates are able to perform their tasks safely by providing relevant information, training, and supervision;
Consulting with employees and affiliates on matters affecting their health and safety; and
Providing sufficient resources to support this policy.

You can download a PDF document of the Occupational Health & Safety Policy by clicking on the link below.

Getting Started

Explore links to helpful websites and resources, check out valuable information and a lot more

Phases of orientation

Learn about the things you need to do prior to your start date and what you can expect on your first day of work and beyond.

Pre-arrival

Complete all pre-arrival checklist
Get relocation guidelines and information for family (if relocating)
Get familiar with IRRI by checking its official website at www.irri.org
Receive a welcome email in your official irri.org account

During the first week

Settle in your new workstation
Meet your Admin Coordinator and colleagues
Have objective-setting with your supervisor
Complete administrative requirements
Complete online orientation at myOrientation.irri.org

During the first quarter

Attend classroom orientation and get to meet other IRRI newcomers.

Welcome message from DDG-MS/CO-CSM
Code of Conduct
An overview of the local culture and working in a multi-cultural workplace

After six months

Continue to discuss any questions on the job or the organization from.

Supervisor
Admin Coordinator
myBuddy online forum

Orientation is important as it is within this process that you, as new employees, take your first steps on your IRRI journey.

My Supervisors

During your first day at IRRI, a welcome meeting shall be organized by your respective Administrative Coordinator/Unit Secretary/Country Office representative to make way for goal setting with your supervisor.

If possible, be available on the first day to welcome new employees in your unit
During the first week, discuss their position, your performance expectations, their individual development plans, and their work assignment
Encourage an employee’s attendance at orientation events and training; get them involved in meetings, projects and organization activities (this will make them understand how their work fits into IRRI’s mission)
For the first months, schedule periodic meetings to ensure they are being taken care of and that they have what they need to do their job and to jumpstart a great IRRI career

My Focal Point

Your Focal Point could be your Administrative Coordinator/Unit Secretary/Country Office Representative who will be assigned to assist you to get settled into the unit and your workplace.

Ensure that the employee has the contact information for you, and their supervisor
Identify the new employee’s work space and help ensure that it is prepared for the first day with the necessary work tools (phone, computer, furniture, user ID and password)
Be available on their first day to welcome them and help them find their way around
During the first weeks, check with them often to see how they are doing and answer any questions

To view full list of Administrative Coordinators/Country Office Representative per location, please refer to the list below.

Staying connected

Stay connected anywhere, anytime and enjoy easy access to IRRI’s resources and information

myBuddy

An online forum designed to give you ongoing support throughout your stay at IRRI.
Visit myBuddy

IRRI Bulletin

Read news, current events, announcement etc within IRRI community.
Visit the IRRI Bulletin

myHR/jobs.irri.org

Find important information on Human Resource Services.
Visit myHR
Visit jobs.irri.org

OCS

Update you personnel information, file for leave or request for supplies in OCS.
Visit OCS

Knowledge Check

A short quiz to see how much you have learned.