Food Technologist

CIP is seeking a highly skilled Research Associate - Food Technologist to join our team in Kigali, Rwanda.

The selected candidate will support the Market-driven, Resilient and Nutritious Agri-food Systems in the Humid zones of West and Central Africa (WCA) initiative. This initiative aims to build a more resilient, climate-smart, nutritious, gender equitable and viable food production system through development and scaling of novel and inclusive production and post-harvest technologies, participatory decision-making and planning, and informed governance systems.

• Collaborate with partners to identify potential integration of other target crops into product development process.
• Assess interest and capacity of selected SMEs in Central Africa to engage in sweetpotato product value chains.
• Lead the procuring and testing of innovative equipment.
• Collaborate with private sector companies to develop viable sweetpotato product value chains.
• Conduct consumer preference surveys to gain insights into consumer preferences linked to selected sweetpotato products.
• Ensure collaborating partners are trained in food safety protocols.
• Collaborate with the Food Analysis and Nutrition Evaluation laboratory to assess nutrient composition of products developed.
• Participate in regular team meetings and contribute to other activities upon supervisor's request.
• Produce progress reports of the research on a timely basis.
• Prepare monthly stories from the field.

• MSc degree in Food Technology or Food Science.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant work experience, with experience in product development and marketing strategies.
• Strong skills in nutrition and statistics.
• Excellent interpersonal relationships skills and teamwork orientation.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English.
• Knowledge of French.