Food Systems Transformation Associate at World Resources Institute (WRI)

What will you do:

Research and Management of the Food program in WRI Africa (70%):

• Develop a robust portfolio of work anchored on solid research, inputs from stakeholder and best practices around the five priority areas in the food strategy
• Lead the developing of new projects and supervise existing ones
• Represent WRI Africa in strategic meetings on food systems
• Explore opportunities for cross-collaboration and cross-learning between the food program and other vital landscape programs/initiatives
• Recruit and manage staff and consultants as needed
• Identify and coordinate capacity development initiatives for the food program team
• Identify major data and knowledge gaps impeding effective deployment of food systems transformation in priority countries and propose ways of addressing them
• Develop and align the food program within the “produce” elements with the WRI Strategy including the developing of a theory of change and a monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework
• Conduct and participate in research that advances knowledge and learning on the priority areas for Food for WRI Africa, including regular writing, review and publishing of journal articles, peer reviewed reports, policy briefs, opinion pieces and strategic communication outputs.
• Ensure the food program in WRI Africa is achieving the outcomes set in the strategy in priority countries and landscapes by setting clear goals and robust execution plans
• Support fundraising activities with public, private and philanthropic funders to increase funding for the program
• Support the coordination, communication and effective collaboration between Global Food program and WRI Africa food program in all related areas of work
• Provide overall support in the leadership and oversight in the day-to-management of program with respect n resource, finance, programming and risk management.

Coordination of FOLU work (20%):

• Support the development of the FOLU Kenya platform, including strategy development, fundraising and donor reporting
• Coordinate activities between FOLU and relevant WRI programs to ensure alignment with WRI priority areas
• Support research and publications under the FOLU in priority countries
• Act as the point of contact within WRI Africa for all FOLU related work
• Support execution of workshops and dissemination of findings
• Prepare annual work plans and budgets for FOLU country platform activities in coordination with the relevant staff
• Support fundraising effort for FOLU Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda country platforms

Outreach and Engagement (10%):

• Provide leadership in program visibility through communication and strategic engagements with external stakeholders and interest groups
• Support the food program in building relationships with a diverse network of relevant public and private sector actors to maintain a strong network of research and academic, development and public institutions that will advance food systems transformation

What will you need:

• Education: A completed PhD degree in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, or related fields
• Experience: Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities in a team setting
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise on issues related to food systems transformation in Africa
• Experience in proposal writing in a development setting
• Experience designing and managing complex, multi-partner projects in an NGO setting, with particular experience creating and communicating theories of change, results frameworks, and other components of a MEL for project donors, partners, and stakeholders
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed outlets
• Collaborative problem solver who can take initiative, set priorities
• Team-oriented player, able to effectively respond to complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing organizational constituencies
• Strong organizational skills and attention to details that drive implementation of projects.
• Ability to travel internationally
• Enjoys working with a diverse group of talented individuals across the globe
• Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English. Knowledge of Swahili is an advantage
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.