HortInvest Nutrition Advisor

Kigali, Rwanda

Full-time

Contract type: National employment contract

Company Description

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 38 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development. For more information, please refer to our website: www.snvworld.org      

Project Background

The HortInvest project is funded by the Netherlands Embassy in Kigali and will contribute towards the attainment of the mission of the Rwanda National Horticulture Policy in terms of fast economic growth and rapid reduction in poverty and malnutrition in Rwanda and the objectives of the Rwanda-Dutch bilateral programme aimed at enhanced food security and private sector development. The expected impact will be primarily noticeable in the six target districts in North-west Rwanda.

The main areas of intervention of the HortInvest project are

1.       Improving market-led horticultural production and supplies for domestic and regional markets

2.       Enhancing food and nutrition security of rural households involved in horticulture and urban consumers

3.       Developing high-value horticultural exports

4.       Creating an enabling environment for commercial horticultural developments

The Netherlands has a world renowned horticulture that is very active internationally and is able to provide technologies and services that are considered to be beneficial to Rwandan farmers and on which the HortInvest project can build. Linking up with the private sector (Dutch, local and international companies) is a key element of the Netherlands Embassy’s horticultural development support programme, which is aimed at stimulating economic development and food security in Rwanda. The triple helix – comprising private sector, government agencies and civil society and knowledge organisations – is one of the strengths of the Dutch implementation strategy, which will also underpin the HortInvest project approach.

After its completion, the HortInvest project is expected to have contributed to the following two impacts:

The horticultural sector’s relative contribution to the regional rural economy in the six target districts will have significantly increased.

Improved food and nutrition security of poor households in North-west Rwanda.

Job Description

 Reporting to the HortInvest Deputy Team Leader, the Nutrition Advisor will contribute to addressing malnutrition in the six HortInvest target districts in Rwanda (Karongi, Muhanga, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rubavu, and Rutsiro). At the same time, the nutrition advisor will work closely with district staff in the implementation of activities aimed at improving nutrition awareness and to stimulate dietary diversity in rural communities. In cooperation with other members of the HortInvest team, the advisor will play a key role in the development and monitoring of HortInvest activities that support reduced malnutrition and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. This includes working closely with various stakeholders, including government, at national and district level.

To assure effective implementation of HortInvest, the Nutrition Advisor is expected to maintain a pro-active attitude towards other HortInvest team members to seek integration of project activities as well as towards other development initiatives to seek complementarity. Pro activity will also be required in communication about nutrition activities both within the project, SNV as an organisation, and externally to a wider target audience, including project beneficiaries, government, donors, and development partners.

Key Responsibilities

Take the lead in coordination and implementation of assigned HortInvest activities: activity planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting

Strengthen the HortInvest network among nutrition related development projects, government institutions, and others

Contribute to the development and implementation of an integrated nutrition strategy ofr the project. Expand nutrition related approaches and activities that HortInvest has already undertaken

Identify and facilitate the introduction of approaches to increase nutrition awareness and realise behaviour change to stimulate improved dietary diversity through the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables in rural communities

Monitor the implementation of nutrition related activities that are supported by HortInvest

Contribute to up-scaling of successful nutrition activities and improved integration with other HortInvest activities and those of other development projects

Facilitate the realisation of improved linkages between different stakeholders that are working to address malnutrition in Rwanda

Liaise, coordinate and garner support from stakeholders (central or local government, other projects, etc)

Contribute to the identification of high potential production areas, improved access to inputs, and improved access to finance & markets for SME farmers

Advise and conduct research; analyse information and disseminate to stakeholders

Develop and implement a communications plan around HortInvest nutrition activities to a variety of target groups

Responsible for knowledge sharing and contributing to SNV’s knowledge development agenda

Work in close coordination with the rest of the team, including M&E support officers, and undertake additional HortInvest assignments as requested by the (deputy) team leader

Qualifications

At least a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, food sciences, rural development, or a related field

At least 7 years of professional working experience in fields relevant and related to this scope of work

Proven experience in the development of strategies and supporting the implementation of activities to address malnutrition, preferably in agriculture related projects.

Has an extensive network among stakeholders in Rwanda who are active in addressing malnutrition

Experience in working with community health workers, farmers and farmer households

Able to develop and implement communication activities related to nutrition for a wide audience

Experience in developing and implementing upscaling strategies in nutrition sensitive agriculture

Experience in implementing development projects and a proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with other programs, national & local governments, stakeholders and international agencies

Able to analyse nutrition practices, and identify solutions and opportunities that benefit project target groups

Up to date knowledge on horticulture sector development and working experience in target districts of HortInvest is an advantage

Management, leadership, and interpersonal skills required

Result oriented and problem solving capacity

Prepared to travel within Rwanda and undertake substantial fieldwork

Excellent English and Kinyarwanda writing and oral communication skills and capacity to facilitate dialogue across multiple sectors

Additional Information

Location:  Under the overall guidance of the HortInvest Deputy Team Leader, the Nutrition Advisor will be based in Kigali with frequent travel to the target districts of HortInvest (Muhanga, Karongi, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rubavu, and Rutsiro).

Contract Duration: 1 year with possibility of extension

Desired start date: February 1, 2020

How to apply:

Please submit your application via Smart Recruiters attaching an application letter and a CV that contains three referees in English by January 31st 2020 citing the position title as reference.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted