Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analyst – Science & Innovation Knowledge Products

Asia Regional Office, Hanoi, Vietnam
(Nationally recruited staff)

The Organization

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (www.ciat.cgiar.org) develops technologies, innovative methods, and research-based based solutions in agriculture and the environment, in order to increase prosperity and improve human nutrition in the tropics, and by doing so, help the world secure a sustainable food future. Headquartered near Cali, Colombia, CIAT conducts research for development in tropical regions of Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. CIAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium (www.cgiar.org), a global research partnership for a food secure future. The Center’s research focuses on increasing productivity of key crops (cassava, common bean, rice, and tropical forages), developing sustainable agroecosystems and landscapes, and using information to foster better decisions about issues such as climate resilience and inclusive markets.

CIAT’s Asia regional program is led from Hanoi, Vietnam and employs approximately 80 staff and visiting researchers of more than 20 nationalities. Strong partnerships with both the public and private sectors are essential to the success of CIAT’s research programs across topics related to climate change, food systems and value chains, digital agriculture, ecosystem services, soils and landscapes sustainability.

The Position

The Innovations Market Analyst is a new position being created as part of an innovative new approach to direct CIAT’s research outputs into knowledge products that are more readily accessible to a wider audience of users. The approach involves co-development of tools and other information dissemination channels for decision support to companies and institutions responsible for sustainable development of agriculture and other land uses.

The Innovations Market Analyst will work at the forefront of scientific advances, identifying where these advances address existing gaps in knowledge and decision support in the ‘real world’. The Innovations Market Analyst’s main purpose will thus be to identify strategic opportunities to improve impact and scaling potential of these advances by making them accessible and applicable to intermediary and end users.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaise with industry partners to identify knowledge gaps and information needs that can be  addressed with CIAT research content. This includes creation of concept notes and product design documents that capture user requirements in straightforward and understandable documents.
• Coordinate across a diverse set of CIAT scientists to identify novel components from their research that are most valuable for integration into the research products.
• Investigate the market opportunities for knowledge products including identification of different revenue models, potential market size, existing providers and distribution channels for similar products.
• Create business plans to estimate relative financial feasibility and prioritization of opportunities based on impact and social return on investment opportunities.
• Investigate legal implications of different licensing models necessary for governing distribution of research outputs responsibly and in compliance with institutional and project related agreements.
• Write internal reports documenting recommendations and guidelines for different models for creating and distributing CIAT knowledge products that can accelerate the ability of others across the CIAT and CGIAR network to replicate learnings made in this innovative incubator model.
• Support development of proposals for related funding from external donors and development agencies.

Key Qualifications

• At least three years of relevant work experience in areas such management consulting, financial services, market research, product development or corporate strategy. Pay will be commensurate with experience – those with more years’ of experience are welcome to apply.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with demonstrated experience in quantitative data analysis (preferably including financial analysis as well, though not required).
• Self-starter, able to work independently and comfortable tackling complex or ambiguous challenges.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to uncompromising standards of professionalism.
• Passionate about the position’s objective: creating positive impact for vulnerable communities through research advances.
• Bachelors’ degree related to any professional field in applied sciences, management and administration, and/or information and communication. Additional trainings and/or postgraduate studies relevant to the scope of work would be an advantage.
• Excellent English communication skills, both oral and written.

Terms of Employment

Due to the strategic nature and innovative nature of this position, pay is competitive and will be determined according to the candidate’s relevant experience.

The position is under the Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) category and limited to applicants with Vietnamese nationality or legal permanent/temporary residence in the country. Contracts are issued and renewed annually, based on performance. This position will be subject to an initial three-month probation period. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity; it offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and benefits.

Applications

Applicants are invited to send:

• A cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications and work responsibilities, and;
• A detailed curriculum vitae, including the names and email addresses of three professional referees who have either worked as professional or academic supervisors of the candidate and are knowledgeable about their skills and professional abilities.

Applications should be addressed to the CIAT Asia Human Resources Office, by email to Ms. Khuong Thuy ([email protected]) with the subject line “Application for Market Research Analyst”.

The closing date for applications is 15 March 2019 or as soon as the desired candidate is identified.