Senior Research Associate – Market Development & M&E

About the role

The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks a Senior Research Associate to lead Market Development and Monitoring & Evaluation activities for its four‑year RTC‑Market project in Lilongwe, Malawi. The role reports to the Project Manager and Crop Management Specialist and focuses on boosting the root and tuber crops subsector through market‑oriented interventions.

Key responsibilities

• Design, implement and monitor strategic market development interventions across value chains and project partners.
• Develop and deliver capacity‑building programmes on marketing and value‑chain development for root and tuber crop beneficiaries.
• Conduct consumer and market research to identify key market segments and estimate domestic and export demand.
• Lead ex‑ante and ex‑post economic analyses to assess returns on investment in commercial RTC production.
• Collaborate with partners to create inclusive business models, marketing strategies and supply‑chain frameworks linking producers to structured markets.
• Oversee the project’s Monitoring & Evaluation framework, collect and analyse data, and produce regular performance reports.

Required profile

• Proven experience in market development and M&E within agricultural or development projects.
• Strong knowledge of root and tuber crops (potato, sweetpotato, cassava) and their value chains.
• Ability to conduct consumer research, market segmentation and economic analysis.
• Experience designing capacity‑building initiatives and inclusive business models.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to contribute to a high‑impact, multi‑country agricultural transformation program.
• Collaboration with international research experts and local partners.
• Professional development in market‑led agricultural research.