Research Associate/Consultant: Smallholder Cassava Production and Gender Differentiated Preferred Trait along Cassava Value Chain

Research Associate/Consultant: Smallholder Cassava Production and Gender Differentiated Preferred Trait along Cassava Value Chain

Background

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (www.ciat.cgiar.org) works to reduce hunger and poverty, and improve human health in the tropics through research aimed at increasing the eco-efficiency of agriculture.  With the support of the RTB (http://www.rtb.cgiar.org/), one of the Agro-food system CRPs, a project entitled - Documenting the adoption of improved cassava varieties and assessing impacts on farm productivity and farm income of the cassava genetic improvement: drawing lessons from Asia and Latin America project – has been implemented in Vietnam since 2014 as a pilot study on the adoption and impacts of improved cassava varieties in close collaboration with Institute for Agricultural Science (IAS) Root Crop Center and Agricultural Genetic Institute (AGI).

To document the adoption of improved cassava varieties and to validate results of the priority setting exercise in the Asian region, nine cassava expert workshops in different Asian countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, The Philippines, Indonesia, India and China) were organized, where data about cassava varieties used in each country collected were discussed. Estimates of the adoption of main cassava cultivars has been completed in Vietnam interviewing about 949 cassava growers in 79 farm communities across Vietnam and over 3,400 samples of planting material was collected for DNA analysis.

The study team in Vietnam has decided to undertake a short term study to strengthen the gender component of the adoption of improved cassava varieties project. The main purpose of adding the gender component in the study is to have a better understanding of gender-differentiated preferred traits for cassava and the reasons behind those preferences along the cassava value chain. In this regard, CIAT Asia regional office is undertaking some filed research activities in Vietnam, and is currently seeking a research associate.

Main Responsibilities

• Support and conduct key informant interviews with a wide range of actors such as NGOs, private sector and government agencies representatives;
• Support in undertake Focus Group Discussions in identified villages in Vietnam with women and men groups;
• Assist the research study principal investigator (PI) in organizing and facilitating meetings in Vietnamese, and provide translation service when needed;
• Write interview notes and support in entering data in the database;
• Undertake any other relevant duties requested by the PI.

Reporting and Deliverables:

The Research Associate will report to the PI in Vietnam and will be based at the CIAT Regional Office in Hanoi, Vietnam, with potential travels to project sites. The Research associate will support data analysis, providing the PI with following two deliverables:

• Literature review on social and gender aspects of cassava value chain development in Vietnam, and,
• Preliminary analysis of primary data collected from key informant interviews.

Requirements

• University degree in social sciences, agriculture, rural development, or a related field (candidates with a BSc degree may be considered if having significant field-based experience)
• A keen interest in agricultural development and related socio-economic issues and gender is preferable
• Knowledge on social and gender related issues in cassava production and value chain is highly desirable
• Excellent exposure on social science research, including collection and interpretation of data and report writing
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills in English and Vietnamese, as well as interpersonal skills; Strong analytical skills are also required;
• Ability to use Microsoft Access
• Available for starting the job in September 2016

Terms of Employment

This is a nationally recruited position, and applications from Vietnamese nationals, preferably female will thus receive priority.  The contract will cover a period of three months, potentially renewable, depending on performance and funding.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.  CIAT is an equal opportunity employer and the successful candidate will be selected based on merit.

Applications

To apply for this position, send us a cover letter with your qualifications and suitability, together with detailed curriculum vitae, including the names and addresses of two referees and one page of your writing sample. Send your applications to Bhawana Upadhyay ([email protected]), indicating “Research Associate – Cassava

Study in the subject of email, no later than August 10, 2016. Phone calls are not entertained and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for applications: August 10, 2016, or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Starting date: as soon as possible