Internal Call Only (RFP300449) - Senior Research Associate - Scaling Arusha, Tanzania

THE ORGANIZATION

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition climate change biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

The Alliance works with local national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean Asia and Africa and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR a global research partnership for a food-secure future dedicated to reducing poverty enhancing food and nutrition security and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

About the position

The Artemis project seeks a Scaling Research Associate to support the scaling team lead in driving the strategic expansion of AI-powered crop breeding technologies across Africa. This role combines agricultural innovation and business strategy focusing on data-driven scaling approaches for public crop breeding systems.

Working closely with the scaling team lead you will analyze data to refine Artemis business model and develop scaling strategies. Your responsibilities include conducting market analyses user profiling competition assessments and impact evaluations. Youll design experiments to test scaling hypotheses and develop monitoring systems to track progress against strategic objectives. Key tasks involve collecting and analyzing data from diverse stakeholders including AI experts field technicians and enterprises. Youll translate findings into actionable insights preparing evidence-based recommendations for the Artemis leadership team on short and long-term strategic matters.

Based in Tanzania with occasional regional travel youll contribute to demonstrating Artemis cost-effectiveness through case studies and addressing adoption barriers. Your work will directly inform strategies to expand Artemis impact on food security across the Global South.

This supporting role requires strong analytical research and report-writing skills. Youll transform complex data into compelling narratives for various stakeholders contributing to scientific manuscripts and strategy documents that showcase Artemis leadership in AI-driven agricultural innovation.

Key duties & responsibilities

• Oversee data collection and analysis to provide well-researched and data driven recommendations to inform strategies to scale Artemis to different crops geographies and use-cases.
  
• Support the development of the business model market assessment and monitoring and learning systems using evidence-based approaches and set up experiments to test hypothesis.
  
• Advise the scaling lead and the Artemis management team with evidence-based research on short- and long-term strategic matters that concern the success of Artemis.
  
• Engage with researchers field technicians enterprises and other stakeholders to collect data through online and digital interviews and surveys diverse stakeholders.
  
• Support the development of scaling strategies business models (including market assessments competition analysis and value propositions) and monitoring and learning systems for all projects in the Artemis portfolio.
  
• Assess progress vs the scaling strategy and highlight key issues that need to be addressed.
  
• Monitoring progress and assess quality of services against established indicators timelines and allocated resources.
  
• Support data collection and analysis to demonstrate Artemis cost-effectiveness and impact via case studies.
  
• Prepare reports presentations and scientific manuscripts to document and disseminate project outcomes and learnings.
  

Requirements

• Master s degree in Agricultural Economics Innovation Studies Business Social Sciences or a related field.
  
• Minimum 3 years experience advising leadership teams with well-founded assessments and best-bet approaches
  
• 3-5 years experience in market and economic analysis research or business development.
  
• Minimum 3 years experience in applying different research methodologies data collection and analysis tools to develop evidence-based recommendations
  
• Demonstrated ability to present findings in a compelling way in presentations and through well-written reports showing the ability to synthesize complex findings for diverse audiences
  
• Demonstrable experience in one or more of the following fields of expertise: 1) crop breeding processes and agricultural research methodologies 2) human centered design scaling and systems thinking approaches 3) digital innovation AI and data sciences
  
• Familiarity with Tanzania s agricultural sector is a plus.
  
• Strong analytical skills particularly in market research and economic impact assessments.
  
• Excellent attention to detail and data management abilities
  
• Proficiency in research methodologies data collection and analysis tools.
  
• Well-versed in using generative AI tools for research
  
• Resourceful problem-solver with a keen interest in digital innovation and scaling processes.
  
• Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams
  
• Strong report-writing skills
  

Terms of employment

This position is a nationally recruited position based in Arusha Tanzania. The initial contract will be for 1 year subject to a probation period of 3 months and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.

This position is graded at BG07 level with a minimum basic salary of TZS in a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the Alliance job classification framework policy). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to insurance retirement plan staff training and development paid time off and flexible working arrangements.

The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT is committed to fair safe and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation contributes to our excellence and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures races colors religions sexes national or regional origins ages disability statuses sexual orientations marital status and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number RFP300449 as the position applied for. Cover letter and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate s last name first name for ease of sorting. The Alliance collects and process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Applications closing date: 20^th June 2025

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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