Solidaridad West Africa Invites Job Applications
ROLE: Food and Nutrition Security Expert
Solidaridad is a global civil society group that offers solutions for sustainable production methods in various supply chains. Our purpose is to help farmers and workers earn a living, determine their futures, and produce in harmony with nature by working across the whole supply chain to make sustainability the norm. Solidaridad is a worldwide network organization that includes seven Regional Expertise Centers throughout Asia.
Southern Africa, East and Central Africa, West Africa, Latin America, North America, and Europe all have unique expertise and concentration.
Background
Food systems (i.e. security and nutrition) in West Africa suffer a number of issues as a result of a variety of causes, including population expansion, poverty, climate change, poor infrastructure, and limited resource access. However, different efforts and projects are underway to increase food security in the region.
Solidaridad West Africa is looking to hire a Food and Nutrition Expert to help create and strengthen food systems in West Africa. However, the role would offer technical expert support to the network organization upon request. We intend to address regional concerns in food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture techniques.
The expert will play an important role in providing technical expertise and strategic recommendations to improve food systems and promote improved nutrition outcomes.
Job purpose
The Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) Expert will help to conceptualize and implement a food and nutrition system approach(es) for REC West Africa that is applicable and adaptable to the global network organization. The job may be required to design applicable food and nutrition system approaches for specific locations within Solidaridad’s African network, driven by the organization’s overall Multi-Annual
Strategic Plans (MASPs).
The incumbent would collaborate closely with the region’s business development leaders/teams to plan, design, and guide the implementation of food and nutrition-related project strategies. The expert’s extended technical help to other RECs outside West Africa must be completed within the officially specified work time/period for this job, which is based in West Africa.
The job would collaborate with the directors of programs, monitoring and evaluation, and learning teams in the regions to develop effective program key performance indicators and tracking templates, as well as participate in relevant output/outcome surveys on FNS. As the lead on food systems, the expert would write technical expert papers, policy guides, and strategy papers as needed for internal usage and debates to drive the related work within the regions, as well as for international and national conferences.
Responsibilities
- Conduct a full review of West Africa’s current food systems, including production, distribution, consumption patterns, value-added, marketing, and nutrition issues. Identify critical issues and possibilities for targeted intervention programs, projects, policy papers, and improvement techniques.
- Develop strategic plans based on assessments of national, regional, and global trends/policies, as well as evidence-based strategies and action plans to strengthen West African food systems. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, such as government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), farmer organizations, and community groups.
- Promote sustainable agriculture practices and encourage the use of sustainable farming methods that increase productivity, protect natural ecosystems, and improve overall climate resilience. Provide technical support to project teams who work directly with farmers to encourage the deployment of novel food system practices.
- Develop activities to increase the availability and accessibility of nutritious food, particularly for vulnerable groups, in both urban and rural settings. This could involve initiatives such as encouraging local food production, enhancing storage and transportation networks, and enabling market linkages.
- Create and implement food/nutrition education programs for various groups of the population, such as women, children, and marginalized communities. Encourage behaviour modification towards better eating habits.
- Provide training and capacity-building support to various Solidaridad stakeholders and country offices across West Africa and beyond, as needed. Develop stakeholder knowledge and abilities in food production, post-harvest handling, food safety, and nutrition.
- Create monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the impact of food systems on nutritional outcomes. Regularly gather data, assess the results, and provide recommendations for program development.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualification Required
- Advanced degree in any of the following fields: development, nutrition, public health, food science, agricultural science, or related.
Experience
- A minimum of 15 years of experience in food systems is required, as well as verifiable experience designing and implementing food/nutrition security and/or food systems at the national or worldwide level. Must have a thorough awareness of global and continental concerns concerning food security/food systems.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge and experience with food/nutrition security and/or public health concepts, systems, and policies.
- Experience in needs assessments, surveys, and food systems program design, implementation, and evaluation.
- Knowledge of applicable national and international food-related guidelines and frameworks.
- Ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, government agencies, local communities, and project workers.
- Strong project planning, design, and management abilities, including the ability to prioritize activities, fulfill deadlines, and successfully manage resources.
- A working grasp of French would be advantageous.
Specific requirements
- Strong and confident leadership.
- Excellent presenting and facilitating skills.
- Excellent communication abilities (oral and written communication in both English and French).
- Able to travel extensively around the West African region.
- Capability to achieve consensus and collaborate effectively in an international cross-departmental team.
Duration, Location, and Reporting
The post is for two years, with the possibility of extension dependent on performance and financing. The role will be headquartered at Solidaridad West Africa’s regional headquarters in Accra, Ghana, with periodic national and international travel. The job would report to the Regional Director of Solidaridad West Africa.
How to Apply for this Solidaridad West Africa Job
All applicants should send their application letter and résumé to vacancies.gh@solidaridadnetwork.org by Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Please identify the position in the subject line of your cover email. Qualified female applicants are especially urged to apply. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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