Research Technicians

Call for Temporary Research Technicians

POSTING TITLE: Research Technicians

DEPARTMENT: RTC-MARKET Project

WORK LOCATION: Remotely

CLOSING DATE: February 2, 2024 TheInternationalPotatoCenter(CIP)hasdevelopedanovelapproachthatintegratesresearch and development activities aimed at commercializing the Root and Tuber Crops (RTC) subsector (with focus on potato, sweetpotato and cassava). The goal is to increase the subsector’s contribution to food and nutrition security, incomes, job creation and economic growth in Malawi. Funded by the Embassy of Ireland to Malawi, the 4-year project namely ‘Market-led Transformation of the Root and Tuber CropsSubsector (RTC-MARKET)’started on

1st May 2023 and planned to achieve this through four main objectives: (i) To develop and promote improved RTC varieties, technologies and knowledge to support commercial production,valueadditionandlinkagestodomesticandinternationalmarkets; (ii)Toenhance availability and access to quality RTC seed and other inputs; (iii) To increase production of quality RTCs for domestic and export markets and food and nutrition security; and (iv) To increase private sector investment and capacity in commercial processing and marketing of quality RTC value added products for domestic and export markets. CIPisimplementingafour-yearprojectcalledMarketledtransformationoftherootandtuber crops subsector in Malawi (RTC-Market) funded by the Embassy of Ireland. The goal of the project is to 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.

The organization seek to recruit 3 temporary research technicians for a short period of 3 months within the year to collect some project related market and production data. The specific objectives of the position:

The Research Technicians will be responsible for the following:

• Identify and record particulars of the key market actors of the RTCs within the districts where they will be collecting data from.

• With the guidance of the project Monitoring and Evaluations Specialist brief and sensitize the targeted stakeholders on the rationale behind the assignment and thoroughly explain why it is necessary for them to provide relevant information when requested. • Routinelytravel to key production and trading areas within the districts to collect relevant trade related data including:

➢ Market prices (farmgate and retail),

➢ Volumes of traded produce,

➢ Sources of the traded produce,

➢ Final destination where the produce is going, main key players in the business, ➢ Most traded or demanded varieties,

➢ Most preferred attributes by the off takers• Work in liaison with district partners to ensure that there is coordination and complementarity in the execution of their roles.

• Assist Monitoring and Evaluations Supervisor in collecting data as per the program

requirements for its different markets.

• Ensure that questionnaires have been thoroughly checked and completed.

• As part of data collection assignment, participate in briefings, carry out data collection,

data entry and/or reporting.

• Where necessary document and give account of field bottlenecks associated the exercise

and provide useful feedback and lessons learnt for future improvement of the program.

• Participate in any other project related activities as assigned by the project management

from time to time.

Expected duration and conditions:

• These temporary positions are for a period of 3 months.

• The payment is a fixed and consolidated fee.

Qualifications/special skills

• A Diploma or Degree in Statistics, Economics, Business, Agriculture or the Rural

Development

• Experienceindatacollection,administeringquestionnairesandconductinginterviews,

data collection and data entry,

• Not less than 5 years’ experience of working in the rural areas and experience in

working with multiple stakeholders within the district setup,

• Experience or knowledge of relevant agricultural issues or surveys in Malawi is an

advantage.

• Ability to ride and possession of a motorcycle driver’s license will be an added

advantage

Application Process:

Applicants should apply online through our CIP’s Job Opportunities website

(http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/), including a full C.V with the names and contact

information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional

qualificationsandworkexperience.Screeningofapplicationswillbegin February2,2024 and

willcontinueuntilthepostisfilled.Allapplicationswillbeacknowledged,howeveronlyshort-

listed candidates will be contacted.

The consultant WILL NOT have contact with children or vulnerable adults

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org.

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing

countries are particularly encouraged to apply.