Project Officer (PO) - AfriFOODlinks Project

Position Title: Project Officer (PO)

Location: Tunis, Tunisia

Project Title: AfriFOODlinks: Transforming Africa’s Urban Food Environments through Strengthening Linkages between Food Systems Stakeholders in Cities across the Continent and Europe

Hours per week:  36 hours per week (4.5 days)

Reporting to: Program Manager

Start date: ASAP

Deadline: 1 May 2024

JOB CONTEXT

Hivos is an international development organization guided by humanist values. Together with citizens and their organizations, we aim to contribute towards just, inclusive and life sustaining societies where people have equal access to opportunities, rights and resources. We work in partnership with others in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America on three impact areas:Civic Rights in a Digital Age; Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, andClimate Justice.

For more information about Hivos’ strategy and impact areas, refer to the followinglink:https://hivos.org/document/strategic-compass-2021-2024-concise-version/

Among the projects Hivos is implementing is the 4-year, EU Funded AfriFOODLinks project working with 35 partners and 65 cities, focusing on 5 African ‘hub’ cities, of which Tunis is one.

AfriFOODLinks, is led by ICLEI Africa and now in its second year. The program supports learning and sharing of experiences among these cities on Food Systems Transformation. It aims to create a conducive environment for improving food security and urban sustainability in African cities. It aims to do this by:

• promoting public shifts to sustainable healthy diets;
• transforming urban food environments through real-world socio-technical experiments;
• promoting inclusive multi-actor governance to empower public officials, established and informal small businesses, communities, youth and women with ownership and agency to shape their food systems; and
• accelerating innovative, women- and youth-led agri-food businesses to support local value addition and inclusive economic participation.

AfriFOODLinks operates through 6 work packages. Hivos leads the work package 2 on strengthening multi-stakeholder governance processes and Hivos is responsible for the implementation of all activities in Tunis city. This is done with two strong local partners and with guidance from other consortium partners, particularly those leading the different work packages (WPs).

About this role

The PO works under responsibility of the Hivos AfriFOODLinks Program Manager, based in the Hivos Office in the Netherlands, in liaison with the Hivos Mena Regional Director. The PO will be part of the Hivos Mena Tunis team, and work in collaboration with the Tunis based AfriFOODLinks Project Coordinator in delivery of a program of activities and partner engagement within Tunis city, as well as liaison with partners (co-applicants, affiliates, municipalities, and other collaborators) in the 4 other hub and 10 other Sharing cities across Africa.

The PO will form part of the Tunis AfriFOODLinks team, and works closely with the operational, financial and administrative organisation of the work of Tunis Office, according to the requirements and procedures of Hivos.    

The PO will work with the Project Coordinator with a focus on the implementation of three work packages: Firstly, and this will be the main work package, WP.3 on “Accelerating innovative, women- and youth-led agri-food businesses to support local value addition and inclusive economic participation in Promoting inclusive and circular agribusiness & innovation”. The other two work packages are: WP.2 on “Strengthening multi-stakeholder governance processes”, and WP.4 on “Improving food environments through real-world socio technical experimentation”.

We are looking for someone with a background in food related businesses. This requires knowledge of, and expertise in, small and informal business support incubation in food related activities. It also requires interest and preferably also expertise in urban food policy and governance as well as linking food to other issues, such as climate change, to urban planning, and to supply chain management.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Partner Engagement and Coordination:

• Collaborate closely with the Program Coordinator and team members to implement activities within Tunis city and liaise with partners across African hub and learning cities.
• Work with the operational, financial, and administrative staff, to ensure smooth program delivery and compliance with Hivos' procedures.

1. Project Implementation and Incubation:

• Lead the implementation of an incubation program aimed at supporting micro, start-up, and informal food businesses, particularly those led by women and youth.
• Support and collaborate with the Hivos team, and Hivos local partners on the implementation of the multi-stakeholder governance processes and food environment development, through real-world socio-technical experiments.
• Support and collaborate with the Hivos team, and Hivos local partners on the facilitation and coordination of Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) and Food Labs Processes (FLPs) to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, address complex challenges, and co-create innovative policy solutions aimed at enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the city's food systems.

1. Research and Innovation:

• Conduct research, when necessary, on identified research topics covering various aspects of the food system, with a particular emphasis on food business incubation and support.
• Map national and local funding opportunities for MSMEs and provide insights into lessons learned and risks involved.
• Facilitate technical and knowledge exchanges between agri-food MSMEs, fostering innovation and collaboration achieved through conceptualizing and organizing several virtual and in-person networking events between Agri-food MSMEs.

1. Other:

• Identifies and develops synergies with other Hivos projects in the MENA region and globally.
• Be an active member of the Tunisia & larger MENA team. This includes participating in all MENA-related & global meetings & events.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by line manager & when needed, Regional Director.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master's degree in Economics, Business, Development Studies, Agriculture, Nutrition ((urban) food system Urban Planning, or another relevant field, with expertise in Tunisian agri-food business and urban food systems.
• At least 3 years of demonstrated experience working on agri-food programs, preferably with civil society organizations.
• At least 3 years of proven experience in supporting or conducting incubation programs for food businesses, particularly with a focus on women and youth-led initiatives in Tunisia is a strong advantage.
• Understanding of business, and finance models and risk assessment for MSMEs.
• Strong understanding of urban food policy and governance, as well as the intersectionality of food systems with other issues such as climate change, urban planning, and supply chain management
• A keen understanding of country political and social dynamics; analytical and conceptual skills, and ability to translate these into relevant and timely actions.
• Familiarity with financial models and funding opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the agri-food sector.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research, analyse data, and communicate findings effectively.
• Experience in organizing events, workshops, and training sessions, both virtual and in-person.
• Verbal and written fluency in English, Arabic and French.
• Willingness and able to travel domestically and internally, as required.
• Job & behavioral skills: strong team player; positive attitude; organized; takes initiative; strong interpersonal & communication skills; can work independently & remotely with teams & partners; able to meet strict deadlines; able to handle competing priorities and heavy workload; trustworthy and reliable; and work requires minimal review.
• Legally have the right to work in Tunisia

What We Offer:

We offer a commitment until 31 Dec 2024, renewable in stimulating work environment in a professional international organization with very dedicated staff. We offer a national contract based on Hivos local labor conditions, with remuneration commensurate with the experience and expertise. Contract renewable depending on performance.

WANT TO APPLY

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. You must submit both a letter of motivation/cover letter (maximum 1 page) and resume/CV (maximum 3 pages) in English.  Candidates are highly encouraged to provide a clear track record in their CV and description in cover letter that matches the requirements of the position as above.

Hivos reserves the right to close the position as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.

Specific Employment Conditions for this vacancy:

Until the conclusion of Hivos’ registration as a foreign NGO in Tunisia, this position will be hosted at Al Bawsala, a Tunisian non-profit association. Upon the conclusion of Hivos’ registration in Tunis, Hivos intends to transfer the employee’s contract under Hivos.