Portfolio Lead - SYS-1301

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Portfolio Lead to oversee the overall management, technical leadership and implementation of the Combating Malnutrition in Rwanda through Sustainable Food Systems (CMRFS) project. This role will be offered on a two (2) year fixed term contract, subject to availability of funding and will be based in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Portfolio Lead will be responsible for delivering the implementation of the project in line with the GAIN Project Management Processes, project workplan, and donor requirements. They will manage the project team, design strategies for achieving project goals, ensuring quality project operation, and that all financial forecasts and project spending are in line with the agreed budgets.

The lead will provide strategic oversight and leadership to the project in the Western Province across the five districts of Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, and Nyabihu coordinating with provincial authorities, joint action development forums (JADF), and District Plan to Eliminate Malnutrition DPEM committees. They will also lead operational planning for the catch-up plan and 2026 priority roll-out, ensuring integration with other CMRFS components (Community based programming, value chain development, high-iron beans and large-scale food fortification) to ensure complementarity, and synergies to maximize impact.

They will also be responsible for liaising with other key stakeholders both at the district and national level, ensuring that project output and activities are successfully implemented within approved plans, budget, timeline, and quality standards. Specifically, the position holder will attend the national nutrition technical working group under NCDA and the Nutrition and Food Security Sub Sector Working Group under MINAGRI.

• Lead the implementation of the CMRFS project, overseeing both community mobilization and value chain interventions.
• Actively engage with government bodies like Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), Rwanda Poultry Industry Association, and private sector stakeholders to promote sustainable production practices. Contribute to national policy dialogues, representing GAIN at high-level inter-agency working groups and joint reviews.
• Actively engage in multi-sectoral platforms at the district level to align project activities with local development priorities. Ensure project activities are integrated into annual plans and budgets for sustainability of project interventions.
• Lead annual work-planning and joint reviews with RBC, NCDA, and MINAGRI to strengthen accountability and alignment.
• Ensure that respective donors’ contractual requirements, and all relevant laws and regulations of Rwanda, are fully adhered to by the team, by overseeing the development and implementation of appropriate plans to meet requirements.
• Lead a highly performing project team consisting of people across the organization, bringing together the skills, experience and competencies required for successful project delivery.
• Lead budget realignment and resource re-allocation planning to support catch-up implementation across districts.
• Work with the Country Director and Development Office on the development of concept notes and funding proposals that expand GAIN Rwanda’s portfolio.
• Oversee the harmonization of behaviour-change tools across all project activities to promote consistent messaging.
• Build capacity of local leaders, community health workers (CHWs), and ECD volunteers, SMEs, cooperatives, and input suppliers.

About you

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience leading programmes preferably within the nutrition/agriculture or food systems space.  You should have an in‐depth understanding of programme leadership and oversight ensuring excellence in components of project management. Senior level stakeholder management experience is required with ability to navigate engagements with government bodies, private sector actors and local communities within Rwanda.

The position holder should possess strong people management skills driving accountability within the programme at all levels while coaching and mentoring of project staff. Experience with resource mobilisation developing concept notes and funding proposals that expand GAIN Rwanda’s portfolio.

A minimum education background with a degree in nutrition, agribusiness, agricultural economics, public health, sustainable development or related field is required. Post graduate studies in either of the above would be good to have.

The gross salary on offer for this role is from RWF 43,307,304 gross per annum. Exceptional candidates may be considered for compensation above the advertised range depending on experience.

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 8th December 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.