Junior Associate, Enhancing Access to Safe and Nutritious Diets (ENSAND) at Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN 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 the most vulnerable to malnutrition.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Junior Associate, Enhancing Access to Safe and Nutritious Diets (ENSAND)

Location: Abuja
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Classification: E2 – Junior Associate
Duration: 48 Months
Travel Required: 30%

Overall Purpose

The Enhancing Access to Safe and Nutritious Diets (ENSAND) project seeks to build on the lessons and progress from GAIN’s recent investments that includes creating demand for eggs (The ‘Eggs make Kids’ campaign), scaling up support for safe, nutritious food supply to traditional market (KFMW, EatSafe, SBN) through SMEs, Commercialization of Biofortified Crops (CBC) and reducing postharvest loss (PLAN).
The overarching objective is to increase access to and consumption of nutritious foods at the household levels. The specific goal of ENSAND project is to improve dietary diversity of low-income (BoP) households in 3 states of Nigeria (Kaduna, Kebbi and FCT) with emphasis on children of school age and women.
GAIN is seeking for a Junior Associates in Kebbi State for this exciting opportunity.
The Junior Associates will support the implementation of specific project activities in their assigned State’s based on approved workplans. In addition, s/he will support project reporting and provide administrative cover necessary to ensure timely implementation and achievement of key project outputs.
This position will report directly to the Project Manager, ENSAND.

Tasks and Responsibilities
Programmatic support:

Support the implementation of ENSAND project, working with implementing agencies, market organizations and businesses
Support routine visits to the field to ensure that project implementation process is on track
In coordination with ENSAND project team members, participate at project review meetings with government, project partners, community stakeholders and other technical groups as the need arises
Under the direction of the Project Manager, support the implementation of project components with other project leads to ensure activities are executed within agreed timeline. Support the creation and delivery of project reports including data analysis from project implementation
Perform any other relevant tasks as assigned by the Project Manager
Administrative support
Support the establishment and maintenance of a range of basic databases and filing system for the Enhancing Access to Safe and nutritious Diets (ENSAND)
Support with the ENSAND team with travel logistics arrangements
Support minutes taking for meetings, seminars, technical sessions, and conferences
Work closely with GAIN Nigeria operations team in raising of Purchase Orders and processing related to payments for procurement of goods and services
Develop and manage attendance and payment sheets for meetings or gatherings pertaining to the EASND project

Key Organizational Relationships

Senior Project manager
Project Manager and Associate
SBN Coordinator
GAIN Nigeria country Team and GAIN HQ
Finance, HR, IT and Legal colleagues in GAIN
GAIN operation staff for operation and procurement related activities
Government, project partners and other key external stakeholders

Competencies

Demonstrable experience and skill in project management
Experience in partnership/stakeholder management
Negotiation skills required to support the management of contractors and vendors contracted to deliver high quality results
Highly organized and detailed-oriented
Ability to work collaboratively with all staff
Strong communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environment
Proven ability to generate and deliver reports that provide useful insight into project details
Strong communication skills
Pleasant disposition with a good-natured, cooperative attitude
Able to demonstrate good judgment, problem solving, and creativity
Computer literacy with good Excel, MS Word, Outlook, and Power Point skills
Flexible, adaptable, and available to take on other tasks or duties as requested by the supervisor

Experience

Demonstrated professional experience directly, or indirectly, related to product development, food systems, and international development, including the implementation of market-based agricultural or nutrition programs
Proven experience with admin and procurement functions
Experience working on Poultry value chains project/working with PAN Nigeria
Excellent writing skill is required

Education

University level Degree in a relevant field such as, Nutrition Science, Public Health, Business Administration, Food Technology, Sociology Development Studies or Agricultural Science with at least three years of progress experience in the same/similar role
A Master’s Degree in any of the above field with two years’ experience will be an added advantage

Other Requirements

Experience in stimulating demand for food and agricultural commodities through social or commercial marketing methods
Fluent written and verbal English
Hausa mandatory
Must be conversant with Kebbi and FCT terrain

What GAIN Offers