DEVELOPMENT AND VALUE CHAIN SPECIALIST (17-88)

International Potato Center POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Ref.: 17-88 DVCS/India/NRS DEVELOPMENT AND VALUE CHAIN SPECIALIST Assam, India

International Potato Center (CIP) is looking for a creative and enthusiastic Development and Value Chain Specialist who can contribute understanding and using the potential of potato markets and market-based interventions to reduce rural poverty in Assam, India.

The Center: CIP is a non-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweet potato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIPisa member oftheCGIAR Consortium. CGIARisa global agricultureresearch partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.

The Project: The Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation project (APART) is a comprehensive development project involving national and international partners funded by the World Bank. The project objective is to add value and improve resilience of selected agriculture value chains in targeted districts of Assam. CIP’s engagement is to provide technical backstopping, innovations, and capacity building along the entire potato value chain to increase its productivity, and improve the livelihoods of small-scale and marginal farmers. CIP will work in close collaboration with Assam government, university and private sector partners.

The Position: Thisposition will bebased in Guwahati, India and willreport to theProject Manager. The selected candidate will have a deep commitment to advancing rural development with smallholders. He/she will have proven experience in designing and implementing research on markets and value chains, smallholders production systems, and small and medium rural businesses, including cooperatives and producers’ associations. Candidates with experience in gender relations and consumer-oriented research, including nutrition, willbeprioritized. Thecandidatewill work with interdisciplinary scienceteamsat CIP’sregional office in New Delhi, India and headquarters in Lima, Peru. The work duties include frequent travel within Assam. Duties and Accountabilities:

• Support partners in potato market research and value chain analysis.

• Support the development of rural enterprises and the formation of Value Chain Schools for linking smallholders to dynamic value chains and exploiting emerging market opportunities.

• Provide key technical input into training programs to strengthen the capacity of local partners and farmers especially encouraging rural women’s enterprises.

• Contribute to writing training materials, technical progress reports and annual reviews and workplans as directed by the Project Manager.

Selection Criteria:

• Master’s degree in agricultural economics or social sciences, preferably with undergraduate in agriculture or rural development.• At least 5 years relevant research experience in markets and value chains, including linking producers to consumers through participatory approaches.

• Experience in working with private sector partners for post-harvest and value chain innovations.

• Good data management and statistical skills and proficiency in the use of key software applications (MS Word, MS Excel)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Hindi (knowledge of regional languages would be an advantage).

• Extensive experiences in training programs and ability working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.

Conditions: CIP’s assignment in the APART project is for five years. This position is for one-year, with three- month probation period, and the possibility of annual renewal based on performance and the continuing availability of funds. The position is local thus limited to Indian nationals and permanent residents. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

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

(http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/), including a letter of motivation, a full C.V. with the names and contact information ofthreereferencesthat areknowledgeableofthecandidate’sprofessional qualificationsand work experience. Screening of applications will begin on January 3, 2018 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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