Vacancy Announcement: Research Associate – Gender AT IITA
Research Associate in Gender Studies

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
About IITA
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit research organisation working to solve some of Africa’s biggest agricultural challenges — hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation. As part of the global CGIAR partnership, we work hand in hand with communities and partners across sub-Saharan Africa to create innovations that improve lives, strengthen food and nutrition security, generate jobs, and protect natural resources.
The Role
We are looking for a Research Associate – Gender to join our team in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Mikocheni Office). This role is part of the Muhogo Bora Phase I project, where you will help design and carry out practical, gender-responsive, and transformative interventions in Tanzania’s cassava seed entrepreneur (CSE) ecosystem.
This is a nationally recruited position with a two-year contract, renewable based on performance and funding. It comes with a competitive remuneration package.
What You’ll Do
- Work with our team to design and roll out tools and approaches that promote gender equality and social inclusion in the cassava seed system.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data (both qualitative and quantitative) to guide evidence-based, gender-transformative action.
- Support training workshops and work with diverse stakeholders to co-design research agendas through participatory action research.
- Develop and track gender and social inclusion profiles for cassava seed entrepreneurs, alongside the MEL specialist.
- Contribute to reports, publications, and communication materials that highlight lessons learned and success stories.
- Assist with project coordination — including planning, budgeting, and proposal writing.
- Take on any other duties that support the project’s success.
What We’re Looking For
- A Master’s degree in Anthropology, Gender and Development Studies, Rural Sociology, Rural Development, or a related social science with a gender focus.
- At least three years of hands-on experience in gender research within agriculture, seed systems, value chains, or food systems in Tanzania.
- Experience in participatory action research and engaging rural communities.
- Strong background in gender-transformative approaches in rural development.
- Skills in adult learning facilitation on GESI (an advantage).
- Solid data and research skills, with the ability to use R or STATA for quantitative analysis and NVivo, Atlas. Ti, or similar tools for qualitative data.
- Confident user of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Personal Qualities
We are looking for someone who:
- Is genuinely passionate about gender equality and social inclusion in agriculture.
- Enjoys working in diverse, multicultural teams.
- Is proactive, resourceful, and able to get things done with minimal supervision.
- Speaks and writes fluently in both English and Kiswahili.
How to Apply
Your application should include:
- A cover letter.
- Your CV, including telephone number, email address, and contact details of two referees.
- Copies of your certificates.
Send your application by email to IITA-Tanzania@cgiar.org, addressed to:
The Country Representative, IITA-Tanzania
Plot No. 25, Mwenge-Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni Industrial Area,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Please make sure to include the reference number IITA-TZ-2025-DSM-011-NRS-DAR ES SALAAM in the subject line of your email and application letter. Applications without this reference will not be considered.
Deadline
Applications close on Monday, 29th September 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted