International Potato Center (CIP) Job Vacancy

Job Title: Research Assistant: Marketing/Value Chain Specialist
Company: International Potato Center (CIP)

(A member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research – CGIAR-)


The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit a dynamic and experienced Marketing/Value Chain Specialist as Research Assistant to support the up-scaling of orange fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) technologies in East and Central Africa. The position will be based in CIP’s Kampala office, but with travel to Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

The Dissemination of New Agricultural Technologies (DONATA) project for up-scaling OFSP technologies is funded through the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA). The project is working to increase production, consumption and marketing of Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato (OFSP) fresh roots, and processed products to bring about improved food security and nutrition, increased incomes and create employment opportunities, contributing to improved livelihoods and economic growth in the Eastern and Central Africa (ECA) region.
The project is working through a value-chain approach. Innovation Platforms for Technology Adoption (IPTAs) have been established in each country to bring a range of stakeholders (e.g. National Agricultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, farmer associations, NGOs, private sector, Universities etc.) together to identify and document appropriate technology uptake pathways for the scaling out and scaling up of OFSP technologies. CIP has developed a participatory market chain approach (PMCA) to stimulate innovation and open new market opportunities with value chain actors, which has been used in Uganda. This position will extend training and mentoring support to introduce the approach in other countries.

Duties and responsibilities
The DONATA Project Research Assistant is a full-time position based in the CIP Liaison Office Uganda to support the implementation of project activities in the target countries. The Research Assistant will work with country partners (IPTAs) and will:
a. Lead the training for and implementation of gender responsive value chain analyses in sweetpotato sector in collaboration with in-country partners.
b. Support implementation of marketing and promotional activities at country level.


c. Support training, mentoring and development in the participatory market chain approach, including cross site and country visits.
d. Establish quality assurance system to track the different stakeholders who have been trained and the use of the training.
e. Contribute to development and implementation of the overall project monitoring system.
f. Compile quarterly narrative and financial reports for the project.
g. Identify, document in appropriate media and share better practices and innovations related to value chain analysis and up-grading, marketing and market linkages
h. Contribute to the development of new project ideas and proposals
i. Perform other assignments related to project objectives as assigned by the DONATA Regional Coordinator

Qualifications and competencies required
MSc or PhD in Agricultural Marketing/Economics with at least 5-7 years experience working on marketing approaches and value chains (roots and tubers an added advantage) in a research and development context Ability to work with rural communities and technical experts Experience of working with a range of stakeholders from the public and private sector, NGOs and farmer organizations Excellent written and oral communication skills Excellent computer, data analysis and management experience and skills Kiswahili and French language are an added advantage

Conditions: March 2011 – December 2012 with extension subject to funding. CIP offers a competitive salary and benefi ts package.
Deadline for applications: February 18th 2011

Please send a letter of application, detailed curriculum vitae and the names and addresses (including contact numbers) of three referees by email to:
CIP-Liaison Officer, P.O. Box 22274.

E-mail: b.lemaga@cgiar.org copied to: cip-kampala@cgiar.org and m.ameru@cgiar.org

Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
CIP reserves the right not to fill this position.