Senior Associate, Planning and Communications

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Senior Associate, Planning and Communications to support with the formulation and implementation of GAIN’s corporate communications and advocacy strategy working under GAIN’s the Nutrition Enterprise Unit. This position is open to GAIN’s African country offices in Nigeria, Ethiopia or Kenya.

About GAIN

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people. In particular, we aim to make healthier food choices more desirable, more available, and more affordable. GAIN’s mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving consumption of nutritious and safe food for all people, especially the most vulnerable to malnutrition.

About the Role

Reporting to the Communications Manager – Country Programmes, you will work closely with the Nutrition Enterprise Unit (NEU), the Knowledge Leadership team and global communication team.

The postholder will support the formulation and implementation of communications and advocacy strategies that aim to increase the standing and awareness of the NEU with a broad range of stakeholders including government officials, private sector, non-government, media, and civil society organizations.

GAIN’s Nutrition Enterprise Unit (NEU) serves as GAIN’s centre of excellence on supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in nutritious food value chains. This includes the delivery of technical assistance to SMEs, development of financial services for SMEs and advocacy for SMEs. It also supports several other projects seeking to develop specific nutritious food value chains. The unit is active in all five African and four Asian countries where GAIN maintains offices.

Key Responsibilities include;

• Developing GAIN’s corporate communications strategy, working closely with the Communications Manager – Country Programmes, NEU Lead, NEU Program Managers, Knowledge Leadership team and the global communications team to design and implement the unit’s communication strategy and work plan
• Leading the development and dissemination of content that raises the awareness of the unit’s work (e.g., press releases, videos, pamphlets, publications, articles etc.) with special consideration to the variety of targeted audiences
• Liaising with media outlets to ensure that the appropriate information and messages are reaching the public
• Working closely with GAIN’s global communications team in ensuring branding guidelines are accurately utilized and reflected in the development of the unit’s communication assets
• Regularly monitor the communications work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of communication efforts
• Preparing reports to assess the effectiveness of communication activities and identifying areas for improving audience outreach

About You

The ideal candidate should have proven experience in communication, interactive digital media, print and broadcast media. You should have strong understanding of utilizing mixed media channels to profile and engage SMEs and ability to contribute to developing advocacy strategy/materials. A Degree or equivalent in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Business Administration or a related field is desirable.

The postholder should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to work in multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments. Also, you should have the ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work well independently under pressure to meet deliverables and deadlines. You should be highly flexible and willing to travel in globally.

About our Offer

The starting salary for each office is as follows, depending on experience:

1) Nigeria: From NGN 7,892,205 – NGN 9,005,994 per annum

2) Ethiopia: From ETB 631,380 – ETB 722,080 per annum

3) Kenya: From KES 2,567,589 – KES 2,937,470 per annum

GAIN has a fair and competitive salary structure that allows for annual progression subject to good performance. In addition, GAIN offers a total of 37 days holiday per year (including annual leave, public holidays and additional office closure days), an attractive pension scheme and competitive insurance cover including health, travel and life assurance.

We are committed to the health of our staff, especially in these challenging times, and have developed a programme of wellbeing that includes flexible working, additional leave allowances, wellbeing days, mindfulness coaching and access to independent and confidential counselling.

GAIN also has a strong commitment to professional development. We will support you to grow in your career through both formal and informal training, and are committed to providing opportunities through internal recruitment, secondments and promotion. All of this is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.

This advert closes on the 9^th February 2022. Early applications are encouraged. GAIN reserves the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.

Applicants must have the existing right to live and work in one of advertised locations to be considered for this position. Please note that GAIN is currently unable to sponsor working visas.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued. We are keen to reflect the diversity of our society at every level within our organisation and therefore welcome applications from talented and committed people from all backgrounds, representing the diverse societies we operate in.