Project Manager, Large Scale Food Fortification - SYS-1277

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Project Manager to provide functional, technical, and managerial leadership to projects and teams in the Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) Portfolio. This role will be offered on a two(2) year fixed term contract. Please note beyond November 2025, extension of this contract is subject to availability of funding. This position will be based in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Large-Scale Food Fortification portfolio focuses on activities including strengthening fortification governance mechanisms, implementation of systems innovations, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and technical assistance, and generation and dissemination of fortification knowledge.

The Project Manager will lead a high performing cross-functional project team, establish, manage, and maintain relationships with relevant partners and stakeholders globally and in Nigeria such as NAFDAC, SON, FCCPC, FMoH, staple food producers and millers.  They are responsible for the overall project management leadership and ensure the project team implement project activities within approved plans, budget, and quality standards.

• Provide strategic leadership in the design, planning and implementation of LSFF projects in Nigeria as per the GAIN Project Management Guidelines (PMG).
• Lead the next phase of a digital traceability system implementation and scale up with key stakeholders: fortified staple food producers/millers, premix companies and regulatory agencies to strengthen compliance of food fortification in Nigeria.
• Lead on innovations in LSFF including the establishment of an Innovations Fund for LSFF in Nigeria, a platform to advance innovations in collaboration with the three major regulatory agencies.
• Strengthening capacity of key stakeholders including fortified foods producers, laboratories, local premix blenders and government capacity to monitor both food processors and premix blenders.
• Lead on advocacy and accountability initiatives involving private sector leaders such as CEOs, public-sectors, third-party advocates, implementing partners and other key stakeholders on scaling up new programmes (e.g. rice) and improvement of existing programmes.
• Monitor risks and develop contingency plans to respond to emergencies and escalate issues where appropriate.
• Lead a high performing project team consisting of people across the portfolio and across the organization; bringing together the skills, experience and competencies required for successful project delivery.

About you

The candidate should be able to demonstrate experience in leading multi-sectoral efforts across government, private sector, development partners among others within the space of food fortification. Previous experience strengthening fortification governance mechanisms, implementation of systems innovations, capacity building and technical assistance is critical to succeed in this role.

Extensive stakeholder management experience at senior levels especially with government agencies and fortification industry players is required combined with highly developed project management skills. Previous experience strengthening the capacity of fortified foods producers, laboratories, local premix blenders and government capacity to monitor both food processors and premix blenders is essential.

Highly developed project management skills are essential to succeed in this role due to numerous different stakeholders and industry dynamics.

The starting gross salary on offer for this role is from NGN 17,200,128 – NGN 19,666,488 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 12th 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.