Manager, Nutrition Financing and Development - SYS-1293

GAIN is seeking a Manager, Nutrition Finance and Development to provide strategic technical guidance on strengthening the design of financing solutions to Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and governments across multiple countries (Bangladesh, Benin, Pakistan and Rwanda), ensuring alignment with the IFAD grant’s strategic goals. This role focuses on leveraging financing mechanisms such as loans, grants, and blended finance to achieve sustainable nutrition outcomes.

The Manager will advise governments on financing needs, integrate tailored financial products, and guide on SME lending, credit risk, and sustainable finance. They will build strong partnerships with DFIs, financial institutions, and development organisations whilst developing the capacity of country teams to effectively engage with DFIs.

This role will be offered on a two (2) year fixed term contract, subject to availability of funding and will be based in either Nigeria-Abuja, Kenya-Nairobi or Rwanda-Kigali.

1. Technical Advisory and Strategy Development 

• Provide strategic technical guidance to DFIs and governments on structuring financing solutions to promote sustainable nutrition outcomes.
• Design tailored financial products, integrating them with government policies and grant components. 
• Lead the development of financial models, business cases, and proposals to secure funding for government-backed initiatives.  

2. Project Design, Planning and Implementation 

• Lead the preparation of inception workshops and design country workplans 
• Work with relevant environment, gender and safeguarding specialists to ensure that these components are integrated in project design and implementation plans.   
• Oversee the delivery of project activities, ensuring quality, timely delivery, and budget compliance 

3. Capacity Building and Knowledge Management 

• Design and deliver capacity-building programs to enhance GAIN staff and country teams' engagement with DFIs and their financing processes. 
• Provide targeted training to country teams on DFI operations, negotiation tactics, and building strong relationships with DFI technical officers. 

4. Project Management and Oversight 

• Proactively identify and resolve project issues, adapting activities as needed and escalating issues for wider support when necessary. 
• Monitor risks, develop contingency plans, and ensure regular project reviews to stay aligned with objectives. 
• Collaborate with finance and procurement teams to manage budgets, ensure compliance, and select ethical suppliers. 

5. People Management 

• Build a high performing project team consisting of people across the organisation.
• Coach and/ or mentor the project team members and support the development of their capacity.   
• Build understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles   

6. Relationship Management 

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with relevant government entities, private sector actors, financial institutions and development organizations to drive sustainable, inclusive financial solutions geared towards nutrition financing.  
• Help to facilitate partnerships between SMEs and investors and service providers 

About you

The ideal candidate should have demonstrable experience working for, or with Development Finance Institutions, government agencies, international development banks, impact investment consultancies, or development organisations in the financing and project management space working on the design of grants and loans. 

In addition to this, the postholder should have knowledge in structuring DFI loans, grants, and blended finance mechanisms.

The postholder should have solid track record in managing complex projects, ensuring successful delivery on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. 

The starting annual gross salary on offer per location for this role is as listed below, depending on experience.

Kenya: KES 4,808,508 - KES 5,497,476

Rwanda: RWF 27,062,064 - RWF 30,886,512

Nigeria: NGN 17,200,128 - NGN 19,666,488

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 and hybrid 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.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the United Nations in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with governments, businesses and civil society, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver healthier diets for all people, especially the most vulnerable.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, GAIN has offices in countries with high levels of malnutrition: Bangladesh, Benin, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. To support work in those countries, we have representative offices in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

At GAIN, we believe that everyone in the world should have access to nutritious, safe, and affordable food. Today, one in three people - drawn from nearly every country on the planet - are unable to consume enough nutritious food. We work to develop and deliver solutions to this daily challenge.

We provide a flexible working environment that includes a combination of home and office working opportunities through our global hybrid working policy. This encourages our staff to have a healthy work-life balance and increases staff motivation, enriches employee wellbeing, and improves performance and productivity.

All of our positions are based in one or more of GAIN’s designated offices as stated on our job advertisements. Successful candidates will be based in one of GAIN’s country offices and must have the existing right to live and work within a reasonably commutable distance of the relevant city / cities in which the role is advertised. Please note, that GAIN does not sponsor working visas and relocations. 

GAIN reserves the right to withdraw an offer of employment for candidates who are considered to ineligible under the above conditions during or after the recruitment process.

Applicants must have the right to work and be currently based in the advertised country location, to be eligible to apply for this position.

For more detailed information please see the attached job description. To apply, follow the "Apply Now" link.

This advert closes on 15th September 2025. Early applications are encouraged. GAIN reserves the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.

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.

Our core values

GAIN is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All staff are expected to follow GAIN Values

Our commitment to safeguarding

GAIN is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where all staff, volunteers, and job applicants are treated with dignity and respect. We are also committed to safeguarding the communities we work with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, exploitation and abuse of power or trust.

Safeguarding is integral to our recruitment practices, and we have robust procedures in place to prevent any form of harm, abuse, or discrimination. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, all successful candidates will undergo thorough background checks and vetting procedures, which can include references, criminal records and terrorist finance checks where applicable, in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy.

We provide comprehensive training and support to our staff and volunteers and associates to raise awareness of safeguarding issues and ensure they are equipped to recognise and respond to concerns effectively.

By applying for a position with GAIN, you agree to uphold our safeguarding principles and contribute to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all individuals.