Research Associate – Market Development and M & E

The International Potato Center (CIP) is looking for an experienced Research Associate 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 collect and analysis of 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 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