Position: Regional Policy Advisor

Organization: HarvestPlus

Location: Delhi

Apply: https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf04/ats/careers/v2/applyRequisition?org=IFPRI&cws=43&rid=2501

BACKGROUND

HarvestPlus improves nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals and providing global leadership on biofortification evidence and technology. HarvestPlus is part of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH). CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by its 15 research centers in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. HarvestPlus is based at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and collaborates with multiple CGIAR centers and partner organizations. Mainstreaming and scaling up biofortification depends in part on its inclusion in government policies and programs. HarvestPlus’ Asia country programs are located in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. We now wish to lay the groundwork for eventual introduction of biofortified crops in other countries in the region, and engage regional bodies relevant to agriculture, food security and nutrition.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The Advisor will lead a network of support across several countries to accelerate the adoption of biofortification. Overall objectives will be to: map the policy landscape; identify and develop relationships with key stakeholders in the region; secure the inclusion of biofortification in relevant regional and national policies, programs, and budgets.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Lead the implementation of HarvestPlus’ advocacy and policy activities to expand the inclusion of biofortification into additional regional and national governments’ and key partners’ policies, strategic documents, programs, and budgets.
• Provide thought leadership, research and writing support on regional policy impact strategy development and implementation (including workplans and lessons learned) with country teams in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Indonesia, in close collaboration with  Director of Alliances & Policy.
• Lead the implementation of key recommendations from an ongoing policy landscape study, enable key policy reform areas, and be the principal liaison with stakeholders for each priority country/province (including government ministries, multilaterals, regional organizations, donors, NGO partners, farmer organizations, research and academia, etc.).
• In Bangladesh launch at least one project with focus on scaling up government procurement of biofortified zinc rice (seed or grain). Anchor partnerships with leading policy research institutes including other than IFPRI, the Tata Cornell Institute, ICRIER etc.
• Author or co-author high quality quantitative and qualitative written materials (briefs, reports, papers) on different policy and national program opportunities issues for key policy audiences. 
• Support the  Director of Alliances & Policy on international finance institution (IFI) engagement, including building relationships with national governments and IFIs, organizing and participating in national and regional meetings, and representing HarvestPlus at key IFI meetings.
• In India: identify, facilitate funding for, and help launch 2 pilots with national government programs (such as ICDS and school feeding) in partnership with provincial/national government, HarvestPlus’ Country Manager, and project leads. Design the piloting process with an effort to ensure scale up within 2-3 years.
• Will contribute as needed to new business development, proposal writing and scaling activities of the HarvestPlus program.
• Work closely with regional teams of major IFIs and multilateral organizations (i.e., World Bank, Asian Development Bank, IFAD, etc.) on matters relating to biofortification policy and national programs.
• Identify and manage relationships with key regional stakeholders, policy networks, and multilateral partners in South Asia (for example, with the World Bank-led SAFANSI program).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master degree in a relevant discipline plus 10 years of relevant  experience.
• 4 years of management experience.
• Background experience in agriculture and nutrition with international experience, especially in India and Southeast Asia.
• Demonstrated experience interacting with stakeholders at various levels of government, including Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Food and Nutrition, Education, etc. as well as with non-government organizations, including private sector, donors and research organizations.
• Successful experience engaging national policymaking institutions and some exposure to multilateral financing institutions.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills with a track record of writing policy briefs/papers etc.
• Self-motivated, ability to work independently and comfortably in a global team, including working well with team members located in multiple time zones and countries.
• Willingness and ability to travel with global team members and partners (approximately 4-6 international trips per year).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent Hindi written and oral communication skills.

APPOINTMENT

This position is a 1-year appointment and is renewable contingent upon continued satisfactory performance and program funding.