The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the United Nations in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Due to COVID19, conflict in Ukraine and climate change, malnutrition and hunger have worsened significantly since 2019, reversing a decade of progress. There is growing recognition that our food systems need to change if we are to reverse these trends.

GAIN’s Strategy aims to transform food systems to make healthier diets from sustainable food systems accessible to all people and especially those whose are most vulnerable to shocks. By 2027, we aim to improve the access of 1.5 billion people to nutritionally enhanced staple foods, improve the access of 25 million people to healthier diets, and support positive food system change in 10 countries. This is bold and complex, and the only way to achieve this is to work together with partners including governments, businesses, and civil society at the country and global level. These goals, and the ways of achieving them, build on our twenty-year legacy of transforming people’s lives with improved nutrition through concerted action and effective policy change.

About the Role

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Senior Policy Associate to support the implementation of actions required for the delivery of the National Food System Pathway. This role will be offered on a fixed term contract basis up to 18 months, subject to availability of funding. You will be based in GAIN’s Ethiopia office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Reporting to the Head of Policy and Advocacy, the Senior Policy Associate will spend 50% of their time supporting the Inter-ministerial Steering Committee to develop and deliver on the Ethiopian Food System National Pathway based at the Ethiopian Agriculture Transformation Institute (ATI), with the remaining 50% based at GAIN working under the supervision and guidance of the Head of Policy and Advocacy to support in coordinating the implementation of actions required to ensure the delivery of the National Food System Pathway.

The postholder will work closely with the office of the National Food System Convenor and the Inter-ministerial Steering Committee in developing the action plans to implement the Food System Pathway.

You will organise and convene partners in the food system space to rally support during implementation of the food system pathways and to support the analysis and implementation of other project specific policy advocacy and influencing related efforts at GAIN Ethiopia.

Duties and Responsibilites:

• Providing technical support to strengthen systems and structures that support the implementation of the policy priorities identified and agreed to be implemented in shaping the food system transformation in Ethiopia

• Supporting the Policy and Advocacy team in resource mobilization, government, donors and private sector relations

• Providing technical assistance to the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on nutrition and food systems

• Supporting with engagement around mainstreaming food system pathways into national and sub-national policies, strategies, programmes and plans

• Facilitating translation of policy decisions into tasks and projects and ensuring their effective and timely implementation

• Compiling data, conducting data analysis and synthesizing findings for reports, briefs and for engagement with government and other stakeholders

• Conducting desk-based research, literature reviews and other research analysis

• Supporting the implementation of policy related activities in other workstreams within Nourishing Pathways Project

• Providing technical support on the development of sector-wide training on nutrition and food system-related topics by reviewing curriculum and developing standards

• Providing advice on food quality, hygiene, and safety standards at all stages of the production process to strive for continuous improvement including the use of harmful food additives and provide solutions to make foods safer and healthier

Job Requirements

About You

A Master’s degree in food science, food technology, food engineering, nutrition, public health or related field. You will be computer literate and strong PowerPoint presentation skills. The postholder would also possess strong data analysis skills and ability to review data, generate and present meaningful reports from the data collected.

The ideal candidate will have proven track record in supporting food and nutrition policy dialogue work at high levels and translating policy decisions into tasks and projects. You will have experience in working closely with national stakeholders to progress the implementation of Ethiopia Food System Transformation Pathways and in liaising with the Government of Ethiopia.

You will have experience working in or on food technology and processing and with strong technical skills in multi-sectoral nutrition programming, including agriculture, health and food security.

The postholder should possess excellent communication skills, fluent in written and spoken English and Amharic. You should be highly flexible and able to work with diverse groups/individuals, including government, academia and the private sector.

About our Offer

The starting salary on offer for this role is from USD 14,184 – USD 16,224 per annum (gross salary), 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 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.

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.

How to Apply

To apply, follow THIS LINK.

Applicants must be currently based and have the existing right to live and work in the Addis Ababa, Ethiopia region to be eligible to apply for this position.

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.