Project Coordinator-Food and Land Use Coalition(FOLU) - SYS-1280

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Project Coordinator, Food and Land Use Coalition to deepen the Coalition’s ongoing work and serve as a focal point for the FOLU Coalition on strategic engagement and in-depth country work. This role will be offered on a one(1) year fixed term contract, subject to availability of funding and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

FOLU Kenya is jointly hosted by AGRA, GAIN, SDSN and WRI Africa. We work collaboratively with other local organizations and the government. Our vision is to create a country in which sustainable, equitable and resilient food and land use systems enable people and nature to prosper. Our mission is to galvanize diverse leadership, expertise, and solutions for rapid and transformative change in food and land use systems in Kenya. FOLU Kenya has identified key transition areas of focus namely: 1) Sustainable consumption of healthy diets, 2) Productive regenerative agriculture and nature protection, 3) Food loss & waste reduction, Whole-food-system planning and coordination and 4) Cross cutting issues of gender, youth inclusion. We work by focusing on:

• Partnering with those best-placed to develop and deliver messages regarding food and land use systems transformation within the country’s political economy.
• Working with national partners to develop compelling, evidence-based analyses, strategic land-use planning frameworks, pathways towards sustainable land-use and food systems, and policy recommendations; and
• Creating platforms and partnership models to encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration, both nationally and globally.

• Work with local partners and the core FOLU Partners to establish and coordinate programmes that build a compelling political, economic, and social case for change, leveraging the coalition’s long-term transformation pathways, goals and objectives.
• Develop project concepts and proposals in partnership with coalition members for resource mobilization to continue and expand the FOLU work in Kenya.
• Engage government at national and subnational levels, civil society, the private sector, researchers, and other stakeholders (spanning agriculture, nutrition and health, biodiversity, climate change, and other dimensions of food and land-use systems) to support in design and implementation of long-term strategies for sustainable food systems and land use.
• Coordinate the planning and execution of FOLU partnerships meetings and networks events  to deliver relevant messages and insights and inspire action-oriented outcomes.
• Translate research into compelling programmatic interventions, communications materials and content aligned with key frameworks and priorities of influential stakeholders (including policymakers).
• Draft briefing papers for policymakers and the private sector for increased investments in sustainability actions in food systems.

About you

The ideal candidate should have solid stakeholder management experience with different levels of seniority being the point contact person. Previous experience coordinating work within a coalition involving different sector actors is critical. The position holder should be able to demonstrate experience in developing concepts and proposals for resource mobilisation efforts. Knowledge of food and land use systems will be important combined with the ability to facilitate capacity building sessions for grantees, public and private sector partners.

Policy and influencing skills with ability to draft briefing papers for increased awareness and actions within thematic areas is highly desirable. You should have excellent project management skills as this position will coordinate multiple activities. An education background with a minimum of bachelor’s degree in sustainable development, economics, research studies or related field is required.

The starting gross salary on offer for this role is from KES 3,219,600 – KES 3,683,388 gross per annum, 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 19th June 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.