The International Potato Center (CIP) is looking for
an experienced Senior Research Associate in Market Development and Monitoring
& Evaluation to drive the implementation of these two core components of
the project in Lilongwe, Malawi.

About CIP:
CIP is part of the CGIAR global research partnership
committed to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis.
CIP’s mission is to develop and share science-based innovations in potato,
sweetpotato, and other root and tuber crops. CIP partners with organizations in
over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to strengthen agri-food
systems and provide economic, social, and nutritional benefits, especially for
women and youth. We integrate social and biophysical sciences to address
complex challenges in food and agriculture. For more information, please visit
https://cipotato.org/about/
.

About the Initiative:
CIP is implementing a
four-year project on Market-led Transformation of the Root and Tuber Crops
Subsector in Malawi (RTC MARKET) program, 2023 – 2027. The goal of the project
is to sustainably increase the contribution of the RTC subsector to the national
economy, food and nutrition security, incomes, and employment creation through
commercialization of the subsector. It aims to transform and commercialize the
RTC subsector 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 by end of the four years. The project will be
implemented in the following districts: Nsanje, Mulanje, Blantyre, Lilongwe,
Zomba, Mangochi and Salima for OFSP; Dedza, Ntcheu, Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzimba,
Mchinji, Dowa and Ntchisi for potato; and Mzimba, Lilongwe, Kasungu, Blantyre,
Salima, Zomba, Nkhota-kota and Nkhata-Bay for cassava.

About the role
:
This position will Drive the implementation of Market Development
and Monitoring & Evaluation activities within the project. This position
reports to the Project Manager & Crop Management Specialist and will be
based on Lilongwe, Malawi.

Key
responsibilities:

·
Market Development 50%

o
Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of
strategic market development interventions across project partners and value
chains.

o
Design and deliver capacity-building
initiatives for project beneficiaries and partners focused on marketing and
value chain development for root and tuber crops (RTCs).

o
Conduct consumer and market research to
identify key RTC market segments and to characterize and estimate demand in
both domestic and export markets.

o
Lead ex-ante and ex-post economic
analyses to assess returns on investment
in commercial RTC production in Malawi.

o
Collaborate with project partners to
design inclusive business models, marketing strategies, and supply chain
frameworks that effectively link large-scale farmers and producer organizations
(e.g., cooperatives, farmer groups, associations) to structured markets.

o
Support project partners in strengthening
the capacity of producer organizations and SMEs in areas such as group
management, leadership, collective marketing, contract farming, and business
and financial management.

o
Generate and disseminate evidence on the
commercial viability of RTC-based enterprises through market analysis, consumer
insights, and the development of knowledge products that inform and engage
stakeholders and attract investment in the RTC subsector.

·
Monitoring and
Evaluation 50%

o
Lead the design and implementation of a
comprehensive project-level Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system,
including the development of data collection tools, partner training, and the
establishment of a centralized database for tracking and archiving project
results.

o
Analyze and consolidate M&E data from
project partners to inform technical and donor reporting, support adaptive
project management, and guide evidence-based decision-making and learning.

o
Establish a coordinated M&E and
project management framework across partners, while also developing and
disseminating strategic communication and knowledge products to enhance project
visibility and support the scaling of successful outcomes.

o
Design and implement operational
qualitative and quantitative studies, including baseline, mid-term, and endline
surveys, as well as impact evaluations.

o
Contribute to resource mobilization
efforts to grow the country portfolio, supporting innovation and strategic
priorities of the Program and Country Manager.

·
Comply with applicable
health and safety CIP policies and procedures.

Requirements

What
are we looking for?

·
Master’s degree in
agricultural economics and related field.

·
At least 8
years of relevant work experience in agricultural related areas or project
coordination.

·
Demonstrate a
strong understanding of MEL principles, frameworks, methodologies and software

·
Proficiency and
timeliness in collecting, analyzing, 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 to attract investors in the sector.

·
Languages: Advanced written
and oral communication skills in English.

·
Core Competencies:
Accountability, teamwork, integrity, innovation.

Benefits

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, improving nutrition and well-being, and gender equity
for poor people in roots, tubers farming and food systems in the developing
world.

·
CIP is a member of the
CGIAR, a global partnership that unites international organizations engaged in
research about food security. CGIAR research aims to reduce rural poverty,
increase food security, improve human health and nutrition, and sustainable management
of natural resources.

What
are we offering?

·
One-year fixed term
contract with possibility of renewal.

·
Competitive compensation
package commensurate with experience.

·
Excellent working
environment.

·
Work in an
equal and diverse workplace.