Head of Policy and Evidence, Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition (hosted by the London International Development Centre)

JOB SUMMARY:

We are looking to make a senior appointment of an individual with a background in agriculture and/or nutrition, who can manage the policy and evidence gathering aspects of the Secretariat for the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition, hosted by London International Development Centre (LIDC). The post holder will be the focal person for the development of the evidence base for policy recommendations the Panel is to issue. This will involve undertaking analysis and synthesis of evidence on agricultural and food systems policy for improved nutrition, and drafting and disseminating multiple types of research and policy documents. The job will involve close collaboration with research and policy groups across national and international programmes, monitoring and summarising new developments in the field, and requires a capacity to respond quickly to Panel’s needs for information and analysis.

Reporting to: Head of Global Panel Secretariat

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE Post

Network Management and Advocacy

To act as the primary source of advice and support to the Head of Secretariat on all matters relating to the policy and evidence outputs of the Global Panel Secretariat. This includes:

  • Identifying the direction of, and delivering research and policy outputs on the strategic aims of the Global Panel.
  • Monitoring and summarising research and policy evidence and activities around agriculture and food systems for improved nutrition in low and middle income countries.
  • Cultivating strong research and policy advocacy links with other institutions, to quickly identify new developments and anticipate research and policy advocacy opportunities.
  • Engaging and consulting international policy and research communities to develop a comprehensive overview of what works in policy.

Generating Policy Outputs

To drive all aspects of the Global Panel’s policy and evidence outputs, to meet the demanding deadlines of the Global Panel and the international research and policy community. This includes:

  • Undertaking desk-based studies synthesising evidence on the effectiveness of technical and policy interventions in agriculture and food systems on improvements in nutrition and health.
  • Creating, commissioning and managing research projects involving expert in their field to generate reports and delivering the Secretariat’s research and policy outputs.
  • Establishing quality assurance procedures in relation to the collection and analysis of evidence used by the Global Panel.
  • Developing publications from the Secretariat for a range of stakeholder audiences to support and explain the work of the Panel.
  • Engaging the Global Panel members and other high-level policy influencers to disseminate policy recommendations and other outputs.
  • Representing and promoting the Panel’s findings at international meetings and conferences.

Strategic Planning and Management

To be proactive in identifying research and policy areas which need development, taking forward new initiatives and being able to respond to new developments and challenges. This will include:

  • Making creative and innovative contributions to the Global Panel’s outputs during all stages of development and conduction.
  • Drafting, preparing and reviewing the policy and evidence component of the Global Panel’s strategy, for the effective formulation and transmission of policy advice to decision makers.
  • Utilising expert knowledge of relevant research, policy and political developments to recommend and produce outputs useful to both the Global Panel and the wider agriculture for nutrition community.
  • Providing guidance to and working with the Secretariat’s Coordinator to provide rapid responses to Panel members on questions relating to the effectiveness of interventions and policies and the sources of evidence for this.
  • Provide guidance to and working with the Secretariat’s Communications Officer to provide the content for policy briefs, reports, newsletters, and Annual Reports.
  • Undertaking any other duties as reasonably delegated by the Head of Secretariat.

This is an outline job description and may be subject to change, in consultation with the postholder.

SKILLS:

Essential

  • Proven experience assessing the quality of available evidence, with a proven ability to understand, use and synthesise information relevant to agriculture, nutrition or health.
  • Outstanding writing and analytical skills.
  • Proven ability to synthesise complex issues into digestible, accurate, compelling briefings and communicate to non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrable success of working in a policy development role and an understanding of the policy environments affecting agriculture and food systems.
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills, including a proven ability to cope with a significant workload and work to tight deadlines, delegating where appropriate, often under pressure and to assess priorities without supervision.
  • Knowledge of and contacts with relevant governmental, intergovernmental, or civil society programmes, including a track record of providing research, advocacy and/or policy leadership in multi-partner programmes.
  • Excellent communications skills, with demonstrable experience of influencing and engaging senior decision-makers and other research users.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
  • Capacity to independently represent the Global Panel Secretariat at international meetings.
  • Educated to at least Masters level in a relevant subject, or relevant professional experience.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in an international development context with institutions in low and middle income countries.
  • Proven ability to work with geographically remote international teams in formulating and implementing projects.
  • Demonstrable track record of research and publications in a field relevant to this project.
  • Demonstrable track record of managing successful advocacy campaigns within a development context.

1/3