Senior Programme Lead, Food Fortification at Grand Africa Initiative (GAIN)

Grand Africa Initiative (GAIN) is a Pan-African Non-governmental organization helping African young men and women, between 15 and 35 years, develop and harness their unique ideas, talents and abilities for success in education, entrepreneurship, innovation and employment. We train, mentor and empower African youth with digital, leadership, employability and entrepreneurial skills for self-sustenance and professional growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Programme Lead, Food Fortification

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Direct Reports: 6 - 10
Travel Required: Up to 30%
Classification: Grade 7
Contract Type: Permanent
Duration: Indefinite

Description

• The Senior Programme Lead will lead the combined micronutrient interventions portfolio, working with the broader Programme Services Team (PST), senior leaders in GAIN country offices, Knowledge Leadership (KL), and Finance.
• You will support and line manage the Lead, Nutrient Enriched Crops and Lead, Large Scale Food Fortification (in the interim, manage the LSFF team directly until the LSFF Lead is recruited).
• In addition, you will work closely with external partners and stakeholders to ensure that fortification is optimized as a public health strategy to reduce micronutrient deficiencies

Overall Purpose

• The Senior Programme Lead, Food Fortification, will maintain and enhance GAIN’s strong track record in the field of food fortification (both LSFF and biofortification).
• Internally, you will support the design, resourcing and implementation of programs and projects which are technically sound, aligned with GAIN’s corporate strategy, and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations.
• Externally, you will act as GAIN ambassador to partners, donors and beneficiaries, representing excellence in GAIN programming.
• You will help galvanize donor support and provide a critical link between country operations and programming on resource mobilization.
• The role will also link food fortification to other key food systems interventions, building a strong team with strategic partnership with many different stakeholders.

Tasks and Responsibilities
Global leadership (~25% LoE):

• In existing global fora and directly engaging with the thematic leads in UN agencies and major donors, contribute strategic direction and good practice to build evidence-based innovations leading to LSFF and nutrient-enriched programmes that address challenges and fill gaps in food systems.
• Convene events that shape the global strategic direction for nutrition, create an environment for technical discussions among relevant partners for collective impact.
• Develop and manage relationships with other organizations active in the LSFF and biofortification space.
• Support the delivery of the programme’s dissemination and visibility plan (incl. by leading on dissemination workshops, manuscripts, publications, blogs, white papers, articles, factsheets, brief), (alongside KL and Comms, and Country Offices where relevant).
• Manage Internal communications within GAIN on programme progress and results.

Fundraising (~25% LoE):

• Raise new funding for GAIN’s programmes and promote GAIN’s reputation with donors so that fortification again contributes ~25% of GAIN’s programme portfolio by value.
• Provide technical support to the Development Office on major bids for multi-country/multi-sectoral proposals and strategic donors.
• Identify new and existing donors and regularly meet with them to canvass for new business and report back on existing funded work.
• Identify new channels of funding (foundations, UHNWI).

Deepen GAIN’s programmatic strategy (~10% LoE):

• Develop a new approach to food fortification, taking full advantage of technical, systems, data, and policy innovations in the field and piloting new business models.
• Help build links and complementarity between LSFF and biofortification, as well as with other programmes.
• Provide guidance to GAIN country teams on strategy development, state of the field, and positioning of GAIN.
• Proactively seek input from experts in the field.
• Mainstream digitalization approaches and artificial intelligence.

Support design and delivery (lead on projects in non-GAIN office countries and support for GAIN office countries) (~25% LoE):

• Constantly emphasize key GAIN design parameters (impact, scale, and sustainability), promoting innovative, customer-focused, and high-value-for-money solutions.
• Support the design process and provide technical know-how to deliver strategically relevant, sound, and feasible project design.
• Identify technical networks, strategic partnerships, forums, etc., where GAIN needs to play a strategic role.
• Contribute and in some cases sign off on donor reports.

Implement country-level activities in countries without GAIN presence:

• Provide technical assistance and course correction guidance.

• Financial oversight and discipline. Support these activities in countries where GAIN has a presence.

Create and maintain a high-performing staff (~15% LoE):

• Mentor and coach Programme Leads and other senior professional staff and ensure they are growing into leaders within the organization and externally.
• Support the recruitment of key technical staff.
• Champion and demonstrate GAIN’s values.
• Protect and promote the effective functioning of the Quad system, with agreement from PST Deputy Director, sign off on selected Quads.

Key organizational relationships:

• Reports to the Deputy Director, Programme Services.
• Manages Lead, Nutrient Enriched Crops and Lead, LSFF.
• Country Directors and GAIN Strategic Management Team.
• Policy & External Relations Team.
• Knowledge Leadership senior staff.

Job Requirements
Competencies:

• Broad understanding of the nutrition-food systems nexus, public health, and community development.
• Excellent managerial and leadership skills (people and project management)
• Outstanding communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments. Ability to present to large audiences with authority.
• Strong networking, influencing, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
• Strong track record of problem-solving and identifying creative solutions to complex issues.
• Ability to operate within private and public sectors to effectively liaise with private companies, development agencies, and governments
• Ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development.
• Passion, energy, and enthusiasm to drive the food fortification agenda on the global stage.

Experience:

• Substantial leadership and program management experience in a relevant field, including at a strategic management level.
• Strong experience with Large Scale Food Fortification program/project work required.
• Strong track record managing (directly and indirectly) extended project teams; ability to manage senior and technical advisers and consultants.
• Successful track record of designing and managing multi-million-dollar, donor-funded projects.
• Solid experience in representation with key donors, government, internal and external stakeholders with a demonstrable track record in fundraising and business development required.
• Experience in building effective personal networks at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organization.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in agricultural value chains is desirable
• A blend of experience from the public and private sectors is preferred.

Education

• Postgraduate Degree or equivalent in Agricultural Science, Food Science, Public Health, Nutrition, Economics, Business Administration or equivalent

Other Requirements:

• Fluent in written and verbal English.
• Proficiency in French is highly desirable
• A willingness and ability to travel in-country and overseas as and when required

What Gain Offers

• A competitive renumeration package
• Flexible working hours through hybrid working opportunities
• Friendly working environment
• Professional development opportunities
• The chance to make a lasting contribution to reducing global malnutrition

Application Closing Date
20th August, 2023.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online