Senior Program Officer, Nutritious Food Systems

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, deserve the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the organization emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employee engagement in various communities. The organization is committed to fostering a workplace environment that supports both personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
In this role, the Senior Program Officer will play a crucial part in the strategic development of the Nutritious Food Systems portfolio within the Agricultural Development (AgDev) team. This position involves managing a significant portfolio of grants and contracts, requiring expertise in grant making, management, monitoring, and evaluation. The officer will serve as a key advisor on nutrition, contributing to the team's vision of promoting equitable access to safe, affordable, and nutritious diets year-round, which is essential for achieving inclusive agricultural transformation. The role demands collaboration with foundation colleagues and external partners to implement and assess the portfolio, advancing strategies that enhance market functions for nutrition and integrate nutrition objectives across AgDev investments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for partnering with colleagues and external partners to implement and assess the Nutritious Food Systems portfolio. This includes advancing a strategy that generates demand for nutritious foods, improving market functions, addressing food loss and safety, and integrating nutrition activities across AgDev investments. The officer will negotiate, execute, and manage a complex grant portfolio, providing insightful analyses and recommendations for funding. Additionally, the officer will contribute to strategy and operational planning within the Adaptive & Equitable Food Systems pillar, track progress against metrics, and engage with grantees and partners to maximize project impact. This role also involves representing the foundation in external constituencies and staying updated on literature and advances in agriculture, food systems, and nutrition. The position requires approximately 25% travel, both internationally and domestically.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in nutrition, agriculture, food systems, public health, or a related field. They should have at least 15 years of post-terminal degree experience working at the intersection of agriculture and nutrition. The ideal candidate will be recognized as a specialist in food systems, with a deep understanding of agriculture-nutrition pathways and barriers to healthy diets. Experience in climate change, gender, and nutrition is essential, along with strong analytical and critical thinking skills. The ability to lead and influence others constructively, build collaborative relationships, and communicate technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences is crucial. Previous residence or extensive work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa or Asia is preferred.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in a relevant field such as nutrition, agriculture, food systems, or public health is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to address the complexities of food systems and nutrition.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of experience post-terminal degree, specifically at the intersection of agriculture and nutrition. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in relevant fields and be recognized as specialists within the global professional community. Experience in multi-sectoral approaches to improve nutrition and policy-related efforts is also necessary.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the nature of the role and the need to communicate with diverse stakeholders. Additional language skills relevant to the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia may be considered advantageous.

Additional Notes:
The salary range for this role is between $169,700 to $254,500 USD, with specific adjustments for high-wage markets like Seattle and Washington D.C., where the range is $185,000 to $277,400 USD. The organization aims to balance competitive pay with its mission, and new hire salaries typically fall between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, and the organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices.