Project Manager, CASCADE Benin and SUN Business Network – Benin 53 views

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Project Manager, CASCADE Benin and SUN Business Network to provide functional, technical, and managerial leadership to GAIN’s overall CASCADE project components. They will also lead the establishment of the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) This role will be offered on a four(4) year fixed term contract, subject to availability of funding and will be based in Cotonou, Benin.

About GAIN

GAIN is a Swiss-based foundation that was launched in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people. In particular, we aim to make healthier food choices more desirable, more available, and more affordable. GAIN’s mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving consumption of nutritious and safe food for all people, especially those most vulnerable to malnutrition.

About the role

The Project Manager, CASCADE will provide functional, technical, and managerial leadership to GAIN’s overall CASCADE project components. In such a position, the Project Manager will monitor the CASCADE project to be implemented in the chosen districts in Benin.

They will lead a high performing cross-functional project team, and establish, manage, and maintain relationships with relevant partners and stakeholders. They are responsible for the overall project management leadership and will ensure the successful implementation of project activities within approved plans, budget, and quality standards.

The Project Manager, throughout the project life cycle, ensures accurate planning, management and reporting of activities, budgets (resources), monitoring, external services and any other key areas required to deliver successful projects.

As part of the CASCADE project, the successful candidate will also lead the establishment of the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) Benin. The Project Manager will serve as the main link between SBN Benin members, Government, and other key stakeholders, and will lead on all activities linked to the Network, including the development and dissemination of the SBN strategy and mobilizing stakeholders. These efforts will feed directly into the Country’s broader SUN and nutrition agendas.

Key Responsibilities include.

• Provide strategic leadership in the design, planning and implementation of the project as per the GAIN Project Management Guidelines (PMG).
• Define project scope, activities and objectives in line with the GAIN business plans, programme frameworks, and organizational strategic priorities.
• Monitor risks and develop contingency plans to respond to emergencies. Escalate issues when appropriate.
• Represent GAIN with partners and local stakeholders and work closely with the consortium’s key partners including CARE -Benin
• Establishing and managing working relations with diverse stakeholders – INGOs, civil society organisations, bilateral agencies, government departments, business, and non-profit partners.
• Taking the lead in conceptualising and organising state / district level consultations / workshops / conferences as required in the project.
• Work with international finance to ensure that accurate budgets and forecasting are drawn up for all activities, and that activities costs are kept within budgets.
• Serve as the main link between SBN Benin members, Government and other key stakeholders, and lead on all activities linked to the Network, including the development and dissemination of the SBN strategy, and recruitment and mobilizing of stakeholders from Benin’s private sector and other key stakeholder groups.
• Regular engagement with SBN Benin stakeholders including members, its governance structures, government, SUN networks, and potential partners. Liaises regularly with SBN Global Secretariate.

About you

The ideal candidate should have experience in business development, including proven experience in a project management / project leadership role with an existing network in Benin. Demonstrate experience in influencing and policy work and ability to coordinate a consortium.

The post holder should have a strong understanding of Benin’s food value chain system specifically nutrition, maternal/child health and or agriculture would be a strong plus. They should be good in partnership brokering with strong relationship management skills and familiarity with managing a wide platform of stakeholders.

You should have a strong ability to work with diverse groups/individuals, ranging from local partners, local authorities, local community groups, the civil society and the private sector. Strong public speaking skills are essential. The candidate should have an education background business, development studies, food technology, economics, and any other relevant field.

About our offer

The starting gross salary on offer for this role is from XOF 13,757,676 – XOF 15,741,420 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.

Our working culture and environment

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.

This advert closes on 6th April 2023. 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.