Strategy Lead – Fortified Wholegrain Initiative at Vanguard Economics: (Deadline 31 July 2024)

Strategy Lead – Fortified Wholegrain Initiative at Vanguard Economics: (Deadline 31 July 2024)

Strategy Lead – Fortified Wholegrain Initiative in Rwanda

Background: 

Rwanda has made significant strides in economic growth and agricultural output over the past decade. However, the nation still faces challenges with food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among children. High food prices and economic vulnerability have led to limited consumption of nutritionally diverse foods, exacerbating these issues. The Rwandan government has recognized the need to improve the nutritional content of food, mandating daily meals for all primary and secondary school children and encouraging schools to source food locally.

Despite these efforts, the current school meals, consisting largely of unfortified refined grains, are not sufficiently nutritious. Work that has been done by the Fortified Whole Grain Alliance indicates that FWGs are 5 times more nutritious than refined unfortified foods and can be produced at the same cost as refined foods (budget neutral). A shift to fortified whole grains (FWG) could dramatically increase the nutrient density of meals without raising production costs, benefiting both consumers and producers. This transition could also contribute to national social and environmental benefits valued at up to $50 million annually.

Consumer preferences are evolving, with a growing acceptance of whole grain foods. Trials in Rwandan schools have shown positive responses from children, indicating a readiness for change. The government, public agencies, and private companies are encouraged to support the transition to FWG through purchasing shifts, fortification, and investments in milling operations.

Position Overview: 

Fortified Wholegrain Initiative (FWGI) Strategy Lead will spearhead efforts to transform Rwanda’s food systems by promoting the adoption of FWG in school meals, other institutional markets and the boarder market. This role involves strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy to ensure the health benefits of FWG are realized across the country.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies to increase the use of FWG in public procurement systems, including schools, hospitals, and prisons.
• Collaborate with government bodies and other relevant stakeholders to promote the movement of procurement from unfortified refined grains to FWG.
• Promote the nutritional advantages of FWG to the public and private sectors including overseeing the launch and implementation of a nationwide Social Behavioral Change and Communications Campaign (SBCC).
• Work with millers across the country to expand supply of FWG foods.
• Facilitate financing, investment opportunities and national accreditation for millers transitioning from refined processing to FWG production.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of FWG adoption on health outcomes and food security.
• Lead coordination across the various initiatives engaged in grain market transformation in Rwanda.
• Lead a research agenda around FWG R&D, nutritional impacts of FWG consumption, and lessons from the field.
• Lead Vanguard FWGI team and coordinate with investors and partners in the initiative
• Lead design of new funding proposals to expand FWGI
• Ensure timely delivery of progress reports

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in nutrition, public health, food science, agricultural economics, international development, or a related field.
• Proven experince in program management, preferably in the food Security, nutrition or agricultural Sectors
• Strong understanding of food systems, grain fortification, and public health nutrition.
• Excellent communication in written English and spoken English and Kinyarwanda
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to lead cross-sectoral collaborations and drive systemic change.
• Commitment to fostering sustainable and equitable food systems.
• Able to interact confidently with the top officials of government and media.
• Flexible to travel nationwide and internationally.

How to Apply and Important Dates 

• Fill your information by clicking on Apply for this Job. Keep your resume to a maximum of 2 pages and 1 page cover letter
• Deadline for submission: 31st July 2024.

Application link

The Fortified Wholegrain Initiative in Rwanda offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of millions. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader passionate about creating a healthier future for Rwanda’s children and the nation as a whole.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY