Senior Research Associate- Nutrition

The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people's lives. The Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/ )

With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people.

The Alliance is a member of the CGIAR Consortium (www.cgiar.org) a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

About the Project

Beans for Women Empowerment (Beans4Women) is a six-year project funded by the Global Affairs Canada and implemented by the Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance, PABRA under the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. Beans4Women aims at strengthening the gender equality, agency in decision-making, and resource rights of women and girls active in the bean sector in three conflict-prone provinces of Eastern DRC. The project focuses on three areas that most affect the degree of women's empowerment in the bean sector, namely the business environment around climate-smart agriculture, the participation of women in bean sector leadership and decision-making, and the rights of women to productive resources like land and nutritious food. Eastern DRC. The project will build on partnerships with INERA and development partners to benefit 2 million people, 60% of whom will be women and girls, in poor rural communities in Eastern DRC and will indirectly benefit 10 million people over the longer term.

The Position Summary

The Research Associate Nutrition will work with partners, to lead the field implementation of nutrition-sensitive interventions. The Expert will work closely with project staff; the public sector, including INERA; bean seed producers; women-led bean enterprises; female entrepreneurs; schools (teachers and children), and general smallholder farming households. He or she will support with thoughtful leadership, technical direction, and grassroots coordination in the adaptation, scaling, and dissemination of successful approaches that integrate food and nutrition-sensitive outcomes and methodologies into agriculture and market systems development, as well as school feeding programming.

Position Duties and responsibilities

• Mobilise target beneficiaries and leverage local partnerships across project staff; NARS; bean seed producers; women-led bean enterprises; female entrepreneurs; schools and general smallholder farming households to embrace food and nutrition and ensure timely achievements of nutrition targets and results.
  
• Support development and implementation of social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) strategy and associated tools and materials for the promotion of beans and general influence on behaviours, attitudes, and practices- ultimately creating demand and making improved high iron beans a bigger part of the diet in Eastern DRC.
  
• Mainstream realistic and achievable nutrition-sensitive programming goals, objectives, and interventions into agricultural and market-oriented systems for the widespread dissemination, adoption, and commercialization of bean-based food technologies and products.
  
• Participatory programming with relevant local stakeholders to incorporate good bean agricultural practices and introduction of bean-based food products in the school feeding programs and ensure that minimum standard operating procedures are followed.
  
• Lobby for the institutionalization of beans and bean-based products into national food security and relief programs by meaningful engagement with relevant stakeholders (government and development partners) to prioritize beans as a nutritious crop.
  
• Assist in the development and support implementation of capacity-building initiatives of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), targeting women, girls, teachers, and extension workers to improve agricultural practices, link with market players, and understand the importance of nutrient-rich foods.
  
• Assist with the identification of female-led food processors and conduct participatory development of bean-based products that are acceptable, commercially viable, nutritious, safe, and high quality.
  
• Support development and validation of project annual work plans and budgets. Ensure that the targets are SMART, support and monitor the implementation of the plans and ensure the prudent and correct use of resources.
  
• Use effective delivery models that are progressive and validated to get nutritious bean-based products to the communities, especially the very poor and marginalized groups.
  
• Represent the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT through the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) in forums as required to contribute to technical discussions, exchange experiences, advocate for food and nutrition initiatives and interventions, and identify areas of potential collaboration.
  
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation activities to track activities and outcomes related to food and nutrition based on the relevant frameworks, strategies, and tools such as work plans and log frames.
  
• Contribute to learning and knowledge management on best practices, successes, and lessons learned in nutrition-sensitive programming and the creation of pathways for improving food and nutrition outcomes.
  
• Assist in the dissemination and publication of findings through the writing of technical reports, manuscripts, policy briefs, press releases and articles, success stories, and conference papers.
  
• Perform other tasks as determined by the project leader and closely collaborate with other project and wider PABRA team members.
  
  

  Requirements

  • At least a first degree in human nutrition or food Science or a closely related field from a recognized university with at least 3 years of work experience in relevant food and nutrition programs.
    
  • Verifiable track record of working in human rights-related programs with special attention to women, girls, and children.
    
  • Good understanding of nutrition, nutritional deficiencies and national interventions addressing these deficiencies and understanding of food-based approaches and behavior change communication strategies to address malnutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies.
    
  • Knowledge of nutrition-sensitive agriculture, market-oriented and food system approaches, and programming.
    
  • Knowledge of food processing and product development to meet market and consumer demands.
    
  • Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methodologies for assessing diet diversity and diet quality, developing food calendars, and designing food-based interventions to improve nutrition outcomes.
    
  • Familiarity with Scaling Up Nutrition initiatives, DRC dietary guidelines, and proven community nutrition delivery systems.