Expert, Nutritious and Safe Food – Stichting Wageningen Research (SWR)

Background

Stichting Wageningen Research (SWR) is an international NGO registered in Ethiopia since March 2021 with the FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organizations. The organization is established with the objectives of promoting a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Ethiopia. One of the projects implemented by SWR is Resilient Agriculture for Inclusive and Sustainable Ethiopian Food Systems (RAISE FS).

RAISE FS project is a four year research for development program with a mission to leverage transformation in Ethiopian food systems covering the continuum from food insecure to the better –endowed households and regions in effort of realizing production surpluses, commodity commercialization, and food and nutritional security in a sustainable manner. The project will be implemented in partnership with the Federal MoA, regional BoA, Agricultural Research Institutes and universities.

The position

We are looking for an expert in nutritious and safe food for an international Research for Food System Transformation programme. The candidate should have a good network in agriculture for nutrition/food safety/ within the food system framework and knowledge of bringing innovation in such programmes. S/he will be part of a programme team that works with multiple partners in the food system domain including Agricultural Research Institutes and Universities.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for guiding activities on nutrition sensitive agriculture (NSA) both at federal as well as regional level especially supporting colleague to identify, implement and evaluate NSA activities;
• Responsible for food safety related activities in the programme;
• Liaising with both national and regional partners on nutrition and food safety;
• Closely working with external experts on nutrition and food safety;
• Supporting in carrying out action research around nutrition in collaboration with WUR and other colleagues;
• Carrying out data collection and analysis for nutrition elements of the project (baseline and end line surveys) and action research;
• Producing briefs, reports and other communication products about the demonstrated evidences of innovation in the area of nutrition and food safety and facilitate engagement for scaling and institutionalization;

What we offer

Depending on candidate’s education and work experience, we offer a competitive salary as per the organization scale which is negotiable within the range of the salary scale assigned for the position. We also offer other benefit packages as per the internal HR manual.

Project: Resilient Agriculture for Inclusive and Sustainable Ethiopian food systems (RAISE-FS)

Duration: Four years, subject to annual renewal based on performance

Reports to: RAISE-FS Project Manager

The kind of person we are looking for

• An expert has a proven track record in the nutrition sensitive agricultural and food safety domain. S/he has experience in working in agricultural development projects preferably those that are more research oriented. Ideally the candidate will have experience on working on nutrition related outcomes within an agricultural project/ program and is able to translate this knowledge in a way that is accessible for agriculturalists.  Good understanding of recent developments such as the concept of food system outcomes, food safety control systems etc. are expected to be part of what the advisor brings to the programme.   Ideally s/he will also have some experience with principles of behaviour change and how these could be applied to support farmers and other agricultural extension agents.

Education, Knowledge, and Skills Required

Minimum requirements:

• MSc/MA in food science, food nutrition and related subjects.
• Nutrition/safe food expert with minimum of 5 years’ experience working in agricultural research for development organizations/projects
• Analytic, able to look at the bigger picture of food and nutrition security in Ethiopia and identify where this project fits
• Good knowledge of nutrition sensitive agriculture, knowledge of  food safety systems is an advantage
• Good writing skills
• Creative, able to think of new, practical ideas to increase the nutrition sensitivity of projects
• Stays abreast of ongoing discussions on nutrition and nutrition sensitive agriculture in Ethiopia
• Willing to represent the project externally in necessary nutrition related meetings or forums as necessary
• Team player, able to advocate for nutrition and food safety concerns effectively with colleagues from a range of disciplines