Policy Enabling Environment Senior Manager

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Dakar, Senegal

Deadline for Submission: 2nd December 2024

About us

At Nutrition International, we make a difference, because nutrition is the difference. Woven into the very fabric of our approach is the passion and drive of our global team of over 600 people, working in 13 offices across 11 countries with one common goal: transforming the lives of people who need it most through improved nutrition.

If you are a motivated and passionate individual who shares our conviction that a better world is possible through improved nutrition, wants to leave the world a little better than they found it, and is looking to be part of a global team with a clear vision, we want to hear from you. Please consider applying for the position below.

About the role

This is a five-year program (2022-2027) that seeks to reduce micronutrient inadequacies and improve diets particularly for women and children through large scale food fortification (LSFF). The program is a five-year Leader Award with Associates Cooperative Agreement, allowing for Associates Awards (AAs) and buy-ins from USAID Missions and Operating Units (OUs). It is therefore designed to provide operational support to field Missions and other operating units of USAID thus contributing to the goals of the U.S. government Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) through the implementation of programming aligned with USAID’s LSFF Results Framework

The USAID AFFORD Policy Enabling Environment Senior Manager will lead efforts to enhance the policy framework for large-scale food fortification (LSFF) across ECOWAS countries, providing technical expertise and overseeing NI-related policy activities to ensure successful implementation and outcomes. This role includes spearheading advocacy efforts, identifying key advocacy topics, fostering partnerships between NI/AFFORD and regional stakeholders, and promoting private-sector engagement in public-sector dialogues on LSFF. The manager will offer strategic guidance on national and regional LSFF policy improvements while reporting to the LSFF Technical Director or Chief of Party under USAID AFFORD and maintaining close collaboration with the NI team and USAID AFFORD colleagues.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic guidance and leadership to the design and execution of national- and regional-level activities that support enhanced policy enabling environments for LSFF programming.
• Lead the mapping of existing regional (and possibly national) policies and legislation including regional standards and regulations related to LSFF.
• Lead in conducting the necessary regulatory monitoring assessments and other analysis aimed at developing in-depth understanding of the LSFF regulatory environment at regional and country-levels.
• Support the interpretation of findings from the assessments and analysis and develop clear LSFF recommendations that are inclusive, scalable, realistic, and sustainable.
• Lead the planning and execution of activities related to policy enabling environment within the RFFA especially those under Components 2 and 3 of the RFFA.
• Support the interpretation and packaging of findings and/recommendations from different assessments into advocacy messages for different sectors (public, private, civil society, donors, and others) for call to attention and action.
• Contribute in the identification of LSFF national- and regional-level monitoring and evaluation indicators that could feed into a regional LSFF M&E system.
• Support the development of additional tools, guidelines, and knowledge products related to policy enabling environment as necessary.
• Identify opportunities for regional institutional capacity building around the policy enabling environment.
• Monitor and report progress as per the RFFA established processes and ensure satisfactory delivery of outputs within the agreed timelines.

About You;

You have;

• Master’s degree or higher level with a focus on either public health, nutrition, food science and nutrition, food and nutrition systems or other nutrition related fields.
• At least 8 years of experience working in-country and / or regionally around the design and implementation of LSFF programs.
• At least 5 years of experience in project management.
• Experience working with national and regional nutrition and LSFF policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience and good understanding of West Africa regional food fortification programs.
• Experience working across and within sectors as a means of optimizing program performance.
• Experience working with large multi-stakeholder teams and ability to participate in and coordinate across diverse teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, and writing skills with ability to stick to tight deadlines and produce high quality deliverables.
• Ability to work proactively and independently under fast-paced, complex, and dynamic working conditions.
• Excellent writing, speaking, editing, presentation and communication skills.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Ability to work well with minimal supervision.
• Strong and effective interpersonal skills, tact and discretion.
• Field experience in a developing country and/or experience in a cross-cultural environment.
• Fluent written and spoken English and French is essential.

What we offer

A competitive market pay, health and dental benefits and pension plan, flexible work hours, four weeks of vacation (plus public holidays), support for learning and development opportunities. We offer a collaborative and engaging work environment.

Nutrition International is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible work environment. Upon request, accommodations due to a disability are available throughout the selection process.

Please note that all our offers are conditional subject to appropriate screening checks and satisfactory reference checks.

For more detailed information about the role, please click on the Job Description attached.