The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit
a dynamic and experienced Research Assistant.
The Position
- The
Research Assistant will be expected to support formation of farmer
producer organizations, youth groups and cooperatives.
- These
organizations are farmer driven and are expected to bring farmers together
with one voice and collectively market their produce.
- These
organizations will be linked to markets and service provides including
financial institutions.
- Additionally,
the Research Assistant will contribute to integrating apical cuttings into
seed systems for farmers, principally in relation to marketing.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct
training in business skills and entrepreneurship for potato based
cooperatives, farmer producer organizations and youth groups and support
them develop own business plans.
- Support
implementation of the business plans.
- Support
the potato business to access markets.
- Support
the potato business to access financial and credit service providers to
support their business plans.
- Support
the potato business to develop group savings schemes for internal
borrowing and investment.
- Participate
in events to promote potato apical rooted cuttings.
- Work
with county teams to promote and support cuttings technology.
- Support
private sector development to produce and use cuttings.
- Collect
and report all data from activities.
Selection Criteria
- BSc.
or BCom. in Agribusiness, Business Development, Agricultural Development,
or a related field, from a recognized University;
- At least
three years’ experience in agribusiness development or a related area
working with farmer producer organizations demonstrating capacity to
strengthen cooperatives and other farming groups.
- Working
experience with agri-business and market development and analysis.
- In
depth understanding of the business/accounting capacities needed to
develop farmers and agricultural cooperatives into viable businesses.
- Proven
experience linking farmer businesses to diverse types of markets.
- Proven
experience linking farmer businesses to financial institutions.
- Proven
experience developing group savings plans within farmer group.
- Proven
experience training farmers and cooperatives in business skills, specific
experience with farmers involved in potato production as a business is an
asset.
- Proven
experience developing training program to develop numeracy capacities for
smallholder farmers.
- Advanced
level of MS Office.
- Advanced
written and oral communication skills in English.
- Fluent
in Kiswahili.
How to Apply
