Research Associate – Market Development and M & E

CGIAR System Organization; Montpellier; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A global research organization is seeking an experienced Research Associate in Market Development and Monitoring & Evaluation to support a project aimed at transforming the sub sector of root and tuber crops. The ideal candidate should have a Master's degree in an agricultural field and significant experience in market research and project coordination. Responsibilities include leading marketing interventions and stakeholder engagement to drive market-led transformation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years' relevant work experience in agricultural related areas or project coordination.
• Strong understanding of MEL principles and methodologies.
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis.

Responsabilités

• Facilitate marketing interventions across partners and approaches.
• Lead market research to identify demand for RTCs.
• Support capacity building of producer organizations.

Connaissances

Data analysis

Report writing

Market research

Project coordination

Formation

Master's degree in an agricultural related field

Description du poste

Research Associate – Market Development and M & E

The International Potato Center (CIP) is looking for an experienced Research Associate in Market Development and M & E with excellent skills and experience to provide support to CIP-Malawi – RTC-MARKET Project.

About the Initiative

CIP is implementing a project on Market-led Transformation of the Root and Tuber Crops Sub sector in Malawi (RTC-MARKET) program, 2025 – 2026. The goal of the project is to sustainably increase the contribution of the RTC sub sector to the national economy, food and nutrition security, incomes, and employment creation through commercialization of the sub sector. It aims to transform and commercialize the RTC sub sector by increasing private sector participation in the RTC value chains. The RTC-Market Project plans to reach at least 60,000 value chain actors with market-led interventions; create at least 4,000 jobs mainly targeting women and youths; etc.

About CIP

CIP is a member of the One CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food‑secure future. One CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis, and it is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.

About the Role

To accomplish its deliverables, CIP seeks to engage the services of an experienced Market Development and M & E to contribute to the market development and monitoring and evaluation goals of the project.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate the development, execution and monitoring of marketing interventions across partners and approaches
• Facilitate training of project beneficiaries and partners on marketing and value chain development for RTCs
• Lead consumer and market research to identify RTC market segments, and characterize and estimate demand for RTCs in domestic and export markets
• Lead ex‑ante and ex‑post economic studies to assess the returns to investment in commercial RTC production in Malawi
• Work closely with project partners to design inclusive business, marketing and supply chain models to link large‑scale farmers and producer organizations (farmer groups, cooperatives and associations) to structured domestic and export markets
• Support project partners in strengthening the capacity of producer organizations and SMEs in group management, leadership skills, group marketing, contract farming and business and financial management
• Regularly collects and analyses different RTC‑based enterprises to demonstrate the commercial viability and business case for investing in RTCs
• Synthesize evidence from market and consumer studies into knowledge products and disseminate to stakeholders
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings to disseminate evidence on the financial and economic benefit of RTCs to encourage increased investment in the RTC sub sector

Requirements

What are we looking for?

• Master’s degree in an agricultural related field
• Six years and above of relevant work experience in agricultural related areas or project coordination
• Demonstration of a strong understanding of MEL principles, frameworks, methodologies and software
• Proficiency in collecting, analysing, and interpreting data relevant to MEL
• Ability to create clear, concise, and informative reports, presentations, and other communications related to MEL findings
• Ability to work effectively with partners and contribute to a positive work environment
• Experience in conducting RTC market research and analysis to evaluate production and price trends, gross margins etc. to attract investors in the sector