Market Engagement & Insights Lead at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Key Responsibilities

Project & Portfolio Management:

• Lead implementation of diverse market research studies, including concept testing, market diagnostics, value chain analysis, processing opportunity assessments, and analytical activities across programs, geographies, and thematic areas, Develop, adapt, and maintain standardized research frameworks, protocols, SOPs, and tools to ensure quality, consistency, and scalability, Oversee field workplans, budgets, and timelines across regions, Manage project reviews, risks, and progress tracking.

Research Design, Data Quality & Standardization:

• Lead research design using cost-effective and standardized quantitative and qualitative tools appropriate for different market research objectives, Integrate AI-assisted design, prompting, and quality control tools.

Coordination & Partner Management:

• Primary interface between CIMMYT programs, country teams, breeders, value chain actors, private sector partners, and research vendors, Coordinate field partners, ensuring proper training and adherence to protocols, maintain strong communication and feedback loops to ensure market insights and evidence effectively inform program design, investment decisions, innovation pathways, and scaling strategies across CIMMYT’s work.

Analysis, Reporting & Insight Translation:

• Produce slide decks, dashboards, briefs, and decision-ready products, translate findings into clear recommendations tailored to different decision contexts, including breeding prioritization, value chain upgrading, market engagement, and program design.

Strategic Development & Future Funding:

• Support proposal writing and strategic business development for CIMMYT’s market research and insights function, including engagement with new donors and programs beyond breeding, represent the project in external meetings and donor engagements.

Requirements

• MBA/DBA, MSc, or PhD in market research, economics, marketing, or similar.
• 7+ years experience running market research projects (commercial background preferred).
• Proven track record managing large portfolios, experience in monitoring and evaluation, and multi-country coordination.
• Strong skills in survey design and software solutions, data quality and dashboards (Power BI, Stata, R, Python).
• Excellent relationship-building and communication experience

Behavioral Competencies

• Highly organized and operationally strong.
• Strong communicator and relationship builder.
• Clear, pragmatic decision-maker.