IITA is looking for a Research Associate for the project Root and Tuber Crops for Markets (RTC Markets) Cassava Component

The major responsibilities of the Research Associate will include the following:

• Facilitate the linkage of cassava seed producers to cassava farmers and cassava farmers to fresh cassava produce markets and processors.

• Support the Identification and promotion of locally released cassava varieties with domestic and export market-preferred traits to support food and nutrition needs, import substitution and export.

• Support Cassava Product Manager with Market Profiles of released cassava varieties in Malawi and their associated commercial attributes and market values (in collaboration with partners) in alignment with Market Segment and Target Product Profile

• Support project Economic research on supply and demand for RTC and derived product barriers and opportunities for domestic and international market

• Facilitate business linkage between medium-scale farms, Producers Organizations (Pos) and domestic and export players.
• Strengthening informal cassava traders’ association capacity to expand the off-taking capacity annually.
• Promote and facilitate commercial processing and value addition of cassava by the private sector (including small and medium scale Enterprises (SMEs)) and promote the uptake of improved Cassava varieties, processing technologies and quality standards by commercial processing SMEs.
• Facilitate linkage of SMEs and commercial RTC processors to domestic and export markets.
• Support market linkage facilitation of cassava seed producers and farmers to fresh produce markets and processors and further linkages to export market opportunities.
• In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Extension Services (DAES), strengthen existing producer organizations to identify and recruit potential Producer groups and fresh cassava traders’ associations in the new project Districts.
• Coordinate periodic review meetings with POs, Processors and Fresh Market Off-takers to document progress, opportunities and potential areas of improvement.
• Contribute to project Trade and business statistics to project data management system by collecting data and compiling the project indicators as per the work plan.
• Provide technical guidance and capacity building on business development services to
• Farmers, business and market partners.
• Participation in the Project review meetings and joint project Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning M&E activities.
• To carry out any other duties that will be given to support the project including reporting.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

MSc in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, or related fields. Experience in private sector development, business planning, or value chain and market development.

Benefits