Policy Analyst, Food Program

Job Description

This position can be based in Rwanda. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission for the country office designated. WRI is not able to sponsor work authorization for this position. This position is fully remote but could become hybrid depending on available office space as WRI’s presence in Rwanda grows.

About the Program:

The Circular Economy for Food Systems Transition in Rwanda is a three-year project funded by the IKEA Foundation and managed by a consortium of partners led by the World Resources Institute (WRI), in partnership with the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) Secretariat, Resonance, African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), African Circular Economy Network (ACEN), and Rwanda Cleaner Production and Climate Innovation Centre (CPCIC). The consortium is comprised of organizations at the forefront of building the circular economy for food movement at the national (CPCIC), regional (ACEN, ACEA) and global (WRI, PACE, Resonance) levels. Our vision is a resilient, circular, and regenerative food system that improves livelihoods and provides positive social and environmental outcomes for communities in Rwanda and across Africa. In pursuit of this vision, our mission is to catalyse cross-sectoral action that will: • Accelerate business growth for companies within the circular economy for the food arena (Workstream 1). • Advance the development of a supportive enabling environment for the circular economy for food via smart policy design (Workstream 2); and • Generate and distil actionable learnings to accelerate food system transformations in other geographies (MEL & Communications).

Job Highlight:

In this role, you will support the enabling policy environment including coordinating the multistakeholder platform in collaboration with the Cleaner Production and Climate Innovation Centre (CPCIC) and other project partners. You will report to the Project manager.


What will you do:

• Support the Project Manager in building and strengthening relationships on food systems transformation policy issues with the government of Rwanda and development partners, including engaging key ministries, government institutions, and other ecosystem players.
• Support the conceptualization of the recommendations based on the Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Landscape Analyses and lead the mapping of the way forward to improve the circular economy policy-enabling environment in Rwanda.
• In collaboration with other project partners (E.g., CPCIC, ACEN), support and ensure good coordination and functioning of the multistakeholder platform.
• Closely follow up on political, social, and economic trends in Rwanda and develop a thorough analysis of opportunities and constraints on the WRI Food Program’s interventions in Rwanda.
• Co-draft actionable and high-quality policy recommendations, technical reports, and policy briefs
• Contribute to the development of technical products to support evidence-based policies alignment and reform processes and strengthen the advocacy capacity of the private sector (SMEs)
• Participate in, organize, and/or facilitate high-level policy meetings, roundtables, dialogues, or other project events
• Participate and contribute in the sector working group meetings such as Agriculture Sector Working Group, Environment Sector Working Group, Energy Sector Working Group, and other government-related events and meetings.
• Communicate research findings including new circular economy technologies and practices to the project stakeholders through written reports and presentations
• Collaborate with the project team and stakeholders to develop educational and outreach programs on the circular economy
• Perform other policy-related duties as assigned by the Project Manager
  
  

What will you need:

• Education: Master’s degree in economics, agricultural economics, development economics, public policy, or any related field
• Experience: At least 6 years of relevant proven experience in policy analysis and coordination, stakeholder engagement, and Agri-food program(s) implementation
• Demonstrated research and analytical skills (conducting a literature review, quantitative and qualitative research)
• Work experience on topics related to the food and agricultural sector
• Knowledge of current political economic conditions in Rwanda, and ability to analyse the policy context at the country level building on political economy tools.
• Experience in communicating with government officials on key policy issues affecting agriculture and food systems and ability to present key results in a concise and effective manner
• Experience in governance, policy development, and reform process
• Experience in convening, organizing, and facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms
• Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English. Knowledge of French and Kinyarwanda would be an asset
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization
  
  

Potential Salary:
Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.


How to Apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume by January 30, 2023. You must apply directly on the careers portal to be considered for this position.

What we offer: 

• A competitive salary 
• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Long-term commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure

About the Organization

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.   
 

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact. 

Our mission and values: 

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. 

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.  

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.