Research Associate at International Potato Center

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit a highly motivated and self-driven Research Associate to provide support to the SweetGAINS project.

The Position: The Research Associate will work collaboratively and effectively across disciplines to support analysis of the needs of breeding end customers, and with good understanding of agricultural market analysis and market segmentation. The suitable candidate should also have the ability to engage creatively, effectively and productively with different value chain stakeholders and analyze large datasets. The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, with frequent travel to Uganda and will report directly to the Impact Assessment Specialist.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct review of literature sweetpotato and potato and Excellence in Breeding product profiles to aid in product profiling work.
• Support the design and implementation of targeted household, market and value chain studies and drafting of tools.
• Collect high quality quantitative and qualitative data needed to fill gaps and aid market segmentation exercise.
• Support collection of data from key value chain stakeholders for product profiling work.
• Analyze available (secondary) and primary data to identify characteristics (evidence) of market/actor segments.
• Synthesize evidence from data and stakeholder interviews and draft technical/project reports.
• Prepare early drafts of journal manuscripts for submission to peer reviewed journals.
• Prepare any collected dataset and working data for manuscripts/reports for archiving in Dataverse.
• Any other duty as will be assigned by the supervisor.

Selection Criteria

• MSc in economics, agricultural economics, development economics or equivalent.
• At least 6 years of experience required in similar position.
• Specialization in marketing, agricultural marketing or equivalent.
• Knowledge of market analysis.
• Experience in analyzing large datasets (national demographic surveys, LSMS-ISA, or equivalent).
• Excellent quantitative skills.
• Advanced level of MS Office knowledge.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary team.
• Fluent in Kiswahili.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills in English.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

• CIP is a global and reputable international organization that has a strong, state-of-the-art R&D background.
• CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved nutrition and well-being, and gender equality for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world.
• CIP is a member of the CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

What are we offering?

• Excellent working environment.
• Generous compensation package commensurate with experience.
• 6 month term contract with possibility of renewal.
• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.

What are the conditions?

The position is Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position limited to Kenya nationals and permanent residents only. The employment contract will be for 6 months (with a 3-month probation period).