Project Officer, Wholegrain Transformation

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. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the conflict in Ukraine, and climate change, malnutrition and hunger have worsened significantly since 2019, reversing years of progress.

GAIN’s strategy aims to transform food systems so healthier diets from sustainable food systems are accessible to everyone, especially those most vulnerable to shocks. By 2027, GAIN aims to improve access to nutritionally enhanced staple foods for 1.5 billion people, improve access to healthier diets for 25 million people, and support positive food system changes across 10 countries.

Through partnerships with governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and development partners, GAIN continues to build on more than two decades of improving nutrition worldwide.

Job Summary

The Project Officer – Wholegrain Transformation supports the implementation and coordination of wholegrain transformation project activities in collaboration with the Project Manager, Project Coordinator, operations teams, and project partners.

The role focuses on strengthening the wholegrain value chain through technical assistance, market linkages, promotion, advocacy, and capacity building. The Project Officer also provides project management support by coordinating activities, maintaining project documentation, monitoring implementation progress, organizing stakeholder engagements, supporting procurement processes, and ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with GAIN's Project Management Guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

Project Implementation

• Strengthen the capacity of wholegrain processors through technical assistance in:
  • Technology adoption
  • Quality assurance systems
  • Business development
  • Financial linkage support
  • Institutional market linkages
• Conduct wholegrain nutrition awareness campaigns targeting:
  • Smallholder farmers
  • Schools
  • Other institutions
• Promote household-level nutrition practices through education campaigns encouraging wholegrain consumption in collaboration with government institutions and consortium partners.
• Manage assigned project activities and monitor implementation progress and partner deliverables.
• Coordinate project review meetings under the guidance of the Project Coordinator and document findings and recommendations.
• Support project course corrections and change management by identifying issues and escalating them when necessary.
• Contribute to the preparation of project documentation, including:
  • Results frameworks
  • Work plans
  • Other project management documents
• Integrate gender, safeguarding, and environmental considerations into project implementation.
• Ensure project activities comply with GAIN policies and best practice standards.

Project Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate project records and regularly update PRISM.
• Collect, compile, and analyze project data to monitor implementation progress.
• Prepare project reports and documentation for monitoring, evaluation, and donor reporting.
• Ensure project information is accurate, accessible, and up to date.

Relationship Management

• Conduct regular field monitoring visits under the supervision of the Project Coordinator.
• Monitor partner performance and ensure timely submission of partner reports.
• Prepare monitoring reports with findings and recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with suppliers and professional service providers.
• Maintain strong working relationships with:
  • Consortium members
  • Government institutions
  • NGOs and INGOs
  • Civil society organizations
  • Private sector partners
• Promote effective collaboration across GAIN programme teams.

Procurement, Payments & Financial Reporting

• Support procurement planning, budgeting, contracting, and logistical arrangements in line with GAIN procurement policies.
• Assist in preparing donor reports alongside technical and project teams.
• Work with the Project Accountant to:
  • Monitor partner deliverables
  • Track payments
  • Ensure project expenses are accurately coded
• Support project budgeting and financial forecasting.
• Process consultant and supplier payments in compliance with organizational procedures.
• Perform other duties assigned by management.

Key Working Relationships

• Project Coordinator
• Country Operations Team
• Project Team
• Programme Services Team
• Knowledge Leadership Teams
• Professional Service Providers
• Vendors and Suppliers
• Government Institutions
• NGOs
• Private Sector Organizations

Qualifications

Education

• Degree or internationally recognized qualification in Project Management and/or
• Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:
  • Business Management
  • Sustainable Development
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Development Economics
  • Development Studies
  • Food Science and Technology
  • Policy Studies
  • Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Rural Development
  • Related disciplines

Experience

• Experience in project implementation, preferably within wholegrain value chain production, marketing, promotion, or advocacy.
• Experience with project and business administration systems, including financial administration.
• Proven experience managing administrative tasks efficiently.
• Experience providing project management support under tight deadlines is desirable.
• Experience working in multicultural or international environments is an advantage.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Understanding of national nutrition policies, food safety regulations, and wholegrain quality standards.
• Experience engaging processors, SMEs, smallholder farmers, and local institutions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.
• Excellent report writing and documentation skills.
• Understanding of gender, safeguarding, and protection principles in development programming.
• Ability to work effectively with government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, and private sector stakeholders.
• Strong computer skills, including:
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Outlook
  • PowerPoint
  • Spreadsheet and database systems
  • Web-based project management systems
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, child safeguarding, staff health, and wellbeing.

Language Requirements

• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of a second language used within GAIN regional offices is an advantage.

Other Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently (up to 50%).

What GAIN Offers

• Competitive remuneration package
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements
• Friendly and collaborative working environment
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to make a lasting contribution to reducing global malnutrition and improving food systems worldwide

Skills Required:

• Agricultural / Studies
• Food / Technology / Science / Engineering
• Health / Medical
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development