Policy and Communications Lead

Job Description

Devex Talent Solutions is assisting the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) in its search for a Policy & Communications Lead to be based preferably in the Netherlands. Alternative locations are in Switzerland and the United Kingdom (hybrid).

Organization and overall purpose:

The Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) is a not-for-profit organization based in the Netherlands.

ATNI shapes markets so they deliver more nutritious, affordable foods for all. Through accountability tools and strategies, ATNI empowers key actors in the food system - starting with industry - to accelerate sustainable access to nutritious and affordable foods. We catalyse change through effective collaboration with companies, investors, policymakers, consumer representatives and civic leaders.

Remaining independent and free of any undue influence, ATNI scrutinizes the performance of the world’s food and beverage companies, benchmarking industry leaders on a range of nutrition­ related topics and indicators. We provide companies, investors and policymakers with the data, analyses and intel they need to drive sustainable change.

For more information on ATNI, please visit our website www.accesstonutrition.org.

The role:

To strengthen ATNl’s strategy (2023-2027) - and specifically its Policy and Communications workstreams - ATNI seeks a Policy and Communications Lead. Evidence-based policy is central to market transformation that drives availability, access, and consumption of healthier foods.

Communicating evidence and data is also critical to long-term change. ATNl’s 5-year strategy highlights policy and effective communications as requisite drivers of change and impact.

Together with the ATNI staff, external consultants and strategic partners, you will play a role in developing ATNl’s new Policy workstream and further developing its communication function. The ultimate aim is to ensure that ATNl’s data and analyses are used to inform policies for nutrition, that ATNl’s brand and voice are enhanced, and ATNl’s overall corporate and project communications are delivered more effectively including by and through media and other external stakeholders.

Policies that improve diets and private sector engagement are in scope, including both public (government) and private (company) policies (e.g. fiscal policies; ESG regulatory policies; regulating lobbying).

The Policy & Communications Lead is integrated within ATNI as part of a matrix structure. You will report directly to the Executive Director, will be part of ATNl’s Management Team and work closely with the Research Director, communications team and project teams. You will manage a team of two people and have access to an external communications advisor (consultant) and policy experts.

This is a unique opportunity to have a substantial positive impact on improving global health by helping to fundamentally shape policies and communications which can influence nutrition standards and practices of the food industry and strategic decision being taken by stakeholders including investors.

Duties & responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Developing ATNl’s policy strategy and platform facilitating debate on nutrition policies, mapping strategic alliances, developing/maintaining strategic relationships with policy makers, and representing ATNI in external platforms and networks.
• Mapping out opportunities for ATNl’s research data, analyses and influence to be used to inform policy processes and for development of new policies.
• Monitoring of current and future policy processes and developing position papers/policy briefs to increase ATNl’s participation and visibility.
• Reporting and writing: to collect information on policy processes - mostly as part of ongoing projects, write policy briefings, and relevant articles and blogposts, and, together with the Comms team organize relevant online events around nutrition policies. In addition, collect evidence and write position papers, as relevant.
• Boosting visibility and further strengthen ATNl’s brand and reputation among our key stakeholders.
• Helping design and deliver communication campaigns including a new 2030 CEO Compact on Healthy and Sustainable Diets.

Job requirements:

Minimum requirements:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (international relations, politics, public health, nutrition, business, international development, sustainability/CSR).
• Significant years of relevant work experience in policy and communication work that includes nutrition, food systems or public health.
• Affiliation / Knowledge of nutrition issues as they apply to the F&B sector.
• Experience in developing and implementing policy strategies and leading projects.

Skills required:

• Excellent understanding of international policy processes.
• Proven policy and writing skills, with attention to detail and consistency.
• Experience with benchmarking approaches is an advantage.
• Ability to analyze written information (e.g. position papers, policy consultations, policy papers, etc.).
• Proven ability to write clear and consistent reports.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Good planning, management/coaching and self-organization skills.
• Good communication skills to facilitate internal and external communication related to stakeholder engagement.
• Good IT skills including use of data-management platforms and Microsoft products (Excel, PowerPoint and Word) to present information.
• Existing policy network and advocacy experience are desired.

Qualities required:

• Highly motivated, self-directed and adaptable. Able to work on multiple projects in parallel.
• Strongly committed to addressing the world’s nutrition challenges and an interest and willingness to (further) develop expertise in relevant areas of nutrition.
• Team-player: enjoys working as part of a growing team, collaboratively and flexibly.
• Understand the challenges/limitations of working for a small NGO.

Candidate should be eligible to work in the Netherlands (or UK, Switzerland). Existing necessary permits and approvals to work in the EU (or UK, Switzerland) are required.