SENIOR ADVISOR ON FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION, NIGERIA
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Policy Development Facility
PDF, a DFID-funded programme working with key partners within Nigeria to improve evidence-based policy, wishes to engage a Senior Advisor on Food Security and Nutrition, to work within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).
The advisor will act as the focal point for the Nigerian government’s efforts on food security and nutrition, harnessing government, private sector and development partner efforts to reduce malnutrition and food insecurity in the country. The advisor will promote the recognition that the challenge is multi-faceted, yet paramount to efforts to reduce poverty in Nigeria.
The Advisor will report directly to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, named Forbes African Person of the Year, 2013 for his remarkable reforms in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
HTSPE is looking for a Senior Advisor on Food Security and Nutrition to join this ongoing project:
SCOPE OF WORK:
1. Raise the profile of food security and nutrition within FMARD and mainstream it into agricultural policies and programmes:
Develop innovative and evidence-based policies and recommendations related to food security and nutrition, recognising the role of the private sector and small holder agriculture.
Develop strategies for mainstreaming food security and nutrition into key value chains (especially millet, sorghum, orange flesh sweet potato, soy, horticulture, cassava, and livestock) with the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
Develop strategies through which smallholder farmers in Nigeria would grow more nutritious food to improve their household diets.
Explore the potential for setting up a food security information system. Facilitate collection of baseline information and develop a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for nutritional programmes.
Drawing on additional expertise as necessary, assess the impact from trade cartels, trade policies and tariff regimes on food prices and food security .
2. Be a convenor of nutrition and food security issues across the Government of Nigeria, gathering evidence and opinion on issues of national food security and advising the HMA and the broader government as necessary:
Collaborate with colleagues in other Ministries (e.g. Health, Women, Education) to achieve improved food security and nutrition, especially among vulnerable populations and children in first 1000 days.
Contribute to and represent FMARD at the Food Security Task Group
3. Work with the private sector, development partners and research institutions to strengthen the evidence base for improving nutrition through the agricultural sector:
Work with the Senior Advisor for Resource Mobilization, Partnerships and Donor Relations to identify additional sources of funding for food security and nutrition programs;
Ensure good links between government, international development partners, the private sector and civil society;
Work with private sector engaged in ATA to incorporate food security and nutrition into activities;
Engage with, and prepare for, the New Alliance for agriculture as well as the G8 and other international events where the profile of food security and nutrition will be high on the agenda;
Collaborate with international programs such as Scaling Up Nutrition, World Food Programme, GAIN, and others whose mission is to promote food security and improved nutrition.
ADVISOR PROFILE:
Masters’ degree or higher in relevant subject plus 10 years of relevant experience of both policy development and implementation;
Experience of working in Sub-Saharan Africa and preferably West Africa in government at senior policy level;
Ideally at least 5 years of experience, in public/private partnership;
Solid understanding of food security – entitlement theory, access and availability;
Excellent understanding of the interface between agriculture, horticulture and nutrition and the potential role of the private sector.
TERMS FOR THE POSITION:
The assignment, funded by DFID, is for a maximum of two years. Salary range: £60,000 – £70,000 p.a.
KEY DELIVERABLES:
Evidence based advice to HMA on nutrition and food security in Nigeria;
Development of innovative approaches which raise nutritional outcomes and food security in Nigeria;
High quality briefings and other materials to facilitate high level Nigerian engagement with the G8, New Alliance and other international fora addressing food security and nutrition.
TO APPLY
Please submit your CV (maximum of six pages) and a covering letter (maximum of two pages) noting key relevant experience and demonstrating how you meet the person specification. All applications should be submitted to: applications@pdfnigeria.org quoting the Reference number: 1009142/FMARD/074