Policy Advisor

About the Role

Underpinned by strong economic growth and high-level government commitment, the potential to accelerate improvements in nutritional outcomes in Rwanda is very high. The food systems pathway submitted by the Government of Rwanda at the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit provides a strong basis for realizing a range of food systems improvements that have the potential to improve the nutritional status, particularly of young children and women. The preparation of the next National Strategy for Transformation (NST-2) and the next Strategic Plan for Agriculture (PSTA-5) provide the opportunity to elevate nutrition outcomes as a priority and to advance these outcomes through the identification of a set of coherent and impactful policies, programmes and actions.

The Policy Advisor will support the Senior Policy Advisor to implement a structured process of building food systems actions that have the potential to advance nutritional outcomes into the next National Strategy for Transformation (NST-2) and the next Strategic Plan for Agriculture (PSTA-5) with a focus on helping key decision makers to understand the necessary policy changes through the provision of evidence and analysis.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead on the provision of technical policy support through conducting data-based analyses to predict how policies will impact food and nutrition outcomes.
• Compile insights from these analyses and from the existing literature into simple yet nuanced narratives, through for example, contextualized briefing documents.
• Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with technical specialists in government and non-government organizations to forge consensus on what needs to be done on a technical level to accelerate nutrition outcomes.
• Produce and deliver periodic updates and briefs and identify key data and learnings to be used for the GAIN website, internal stakeholders and Knowledge Leadership system.
• Facilitate the organization of dialogues, learning opportunities and meetings.
• Monitor, engage and represent GAIN in key national-level and country-level policy fora and meetings.
• Support dissemination of key messages arising from GAIN through e.g., Media, social media, and positioning events.

About you

The ideal candidate should have proven experience engaging in the food and nutrition policy making process in Rwanda. Experience in developing policy reports (either as contributor or author) in addition to being able to present the implications of policy analysis in a way that recognizes that the best technical solutions are the ones with the least political salience.

The post holder should have strong stakeholder management and advocacy experience with the demonstrated capacity to work closely with national stakeholders to advocate for and progress nutritional outcomes. Strong analytical skills in the field of food and nutrition related policy analysis, including for example political economy analysis, budget analysis.

You should have an understanding of food systems transformation approaches with the ability to leverage this understanding to achieve positive outcomes. The candidate should hold an advanced degree in relevant area e.g., public health or nutrition, business or public administration, public policy or related field or equivalent combination of stakeholder engagement and project management work experience.

About our Offer

The starting gross salary on offer for this role is from RWF 20’689’656– RWF 23’613’550 per annum, depending on experience.

GAIN has a fair and competitive salary structure that allows for annual progression subject to good performance. In addition, GAIN offers a total of 37 days holiday per year (including annual leave, public holidays and additional office closure days), an attractive pension scheme and competitive insurance cover including health, travel and life assurance. We are committed to the health of our staff, especially in these challenging times, and have developed a programme of wellbeing that includes flexible and hybrid working, additional leave allowances, wellbeing days, mindfulness coaching and access to independent and confidential counselling.

GAIN also has a strong commitment to professional development. We will support you to grow in your career through both formal and informal training, and are committed to providing opportunities through internal recruitment, secondments, and promotion. All of this is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.

About GAIN

GAIN is a Swiss-based foundation that was launched in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people. In particular, we aim to make healthier food choices more desirable, more available, and more affordable. GAIN’s mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving consumption of nutritious and safe food for all people, especially those most vulnerable to malnutrition.

Our Working Culture and Environment

We provide a flexible working environment that includes a combination of home and office working opportunities through our global hybrid working policy. This encourages our staff to have a healthy work-life balance and increases staff motivation, enriches employee wellbeing, and improves performance and productivity.

All of our positions are based in one or more of GAIN’s designated offices as stated on our job advertisements. Successful candidates will be based in one of GAIN’s country offices and must have the existing right to live and work within a reasonably commutable distance of the relevant city / cities in which the role is advertised. Please note, that GAIN does not sponsor working visas and relocations.

GAIN reserves the right to withdraw an offer of employment for candidates who are considered to ineligible under the above conditions during or after the recruitment process.

Applicants must have the right to work and be currently based in the advertised country location, to be eligible to apply for this position.

This advert closes on 6th June 2023. Early applications are encouraged. GAIN reserves the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued. We are keen to reflect the diversity of our society at every level within our organisation and therefore welcome applications from talented and committed people from all backgrounds, representing the diverse societies we operate in.