Senior Research Associate - Market Intelligence

Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. Established to enhance the quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops, CIMMYT focuses on applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South. The organization builds strong partnerships to improve the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. As a core CGIAR Research Center, CIMMYT is part of a global research partnership aimed at reducing poverty, enhancing nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and improving natural resources.

Job Overview:
The Senior Research Associate - Market Intelligence will play a crucial role in coordinating and managing market intelligence studies. This position involves overseeing day-to-day activities across multiple studies, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards. The associate will maintain study workplans, trackers, and schedules while identifying risks and delays. They will also coordinate research workflows, engage with partners, and manage documentation. The role requires contributing to the design and implementation of various market research studies, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. The associate will be responsible for standardizing research tools, ensuring data quality, and supporting field implementation. This position is vital for enhancing the effectiveness of market intelligence research and improving the overall research processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Portfolio Research Coordination and Workflow Management: Coordinate assigned market intelligence studies, managing day-to-day activities across 2–3 studies at a time. Maintain study workplans, trackers, and schedules; identify risks or delays and communicate issues with relevant staff. Coordinate research workflows across various stages, including questionnaire development and data handover.
• Research Design, Survey Review and Standardization: Contribute to the design and implementation of market research studies, guiding the development of research approaches. Review and standardize questionnaire content, ensuring consistency and suitability for analysis.
• Survey Programming, Testing and Data Quality Assurance: Test programmed surveys, document issues, and support user acceptance testing. Apply survey programming conventions and conduct data quality checks during field implementation.
• Partner Coordination, Procurement Support and Field Implementation: Act as a contact for implementing partners, clarifying study protocols and timelines. Track fieldwork progress and follow up on agreed actions.
• Research Systems, Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement: Maintain and improve research tools and document lessons from implementation. Explore new methodologies to enhance research quality and efficiency.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in economics, agricultural economics, development studies, marketing, market research, social sciences, statistics, data science, or a related discipline. A bachelor’s degree combined with relevant research experience may also be considered. At least five to seven years of professional experience in applied research, market research, or related fields is required. Candidates should have experience in implementing various research methodologies and developing research instruments. Practical experience in digital survey programming and research quality assurance is essential, along with a willingness to learn new tools and methodologies.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required, with a bachelor’s degree considered if combined with appropriate research experience. The educational background should align with the responsibilities of conducting market intelligence research and managing research studies effectively.

Experience:
The position requires at least five to seven years of relevant professional experience in applied research, market research, or survey research. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to work across different methodological approaches and possess practical experience in developing research instruments and supporting field implementation.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of additional languages may be considered an advantage, particularly if relevant to the regions of study or implementation.

Additional Notes:
This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position with a competitive remuneration package based on experience and qualifications. Employment contracts are issued under ICRAF in compliance with Kenyan labor law. Benefits include a non-contributory pension scheme, comprehensive medical insurance, paid annual and statutory leave, and opportunities for learning and development. The appointment is for a period of two years, including a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension based on performance and available resources. The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya.