Consultant – Faith and Food Loss & Waste

This position is a short-term consultancy to begin on October 1, 2022 with an ending date of March 23, 2023.

This position will be based in Rwanda. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application.

About the Program:

WRI and its partners are undertaking a collaborative project with the African Union and various religious groups to examine how religious organizations and leaders can come together to promote nutrition and tackle food loss and waste in Rwanda: through the food they provide in their own institutions and through relief agencies; by encouraging promising farming practices, including the restoration of degraded agricultural land; by promoting cultural and societal changes among their followers in line with sustainable practices; by facilitating interfaith dialogue toward peacebuilding and reconciliation; and by ensuring that food is not lost in storage or the home. The project will leverage faith-based organizations, including religious institutions, to support strategic interventions to reduce food loss and waste and to promote nutrition across the African content. This initial baseline scoping phase seeks to better understand the context of faith-based engagement on nutrition in the region, particularly in Rwanda, including desk review of existing research and initiatives, stakeholder interviews with key partners including faith leaders, and a case study to understand how faith actors are involved in nutrition and food loss and waste in Rwanda.

The project is a collaboration between the Faith and Sustainability Initiative, Food Program, and WRI Africa.

**Job Highlight:
**
You will examine the role of faith-based organizations and communities in engaging on the topic of nutrition and food loss & waste in Rwanda. In addition to conducting baseline scoping on the context of faith-based organizations in the country, you will be responsible for conducting stakeholder interviews and a case study. This study will reflect the local context.

You will be supported by supported by the Faith and Sustainability team, WRI Food team, and WRI Africa teams including staff working in Rwanda on Food Systems Transformation projects. You will also have support from the partner organizations and additional stakeholders.

You will report to the WRI Faith and Sustainability Project Manager.

This position is fully remote.

What you will do:

Desk Research and Data Collection (30% time)

• Review key documents from relevant institutions (e.g., African Union, World Resources Institute, World Bank, etc.) to familiarize themselves with relevant nutrition and food loss & waste goals and context.
• Research active faith-based organizations and communities in Rwanda that take part in achieving the goals set forth for nutrition and food loss & waste.
• Articulate research questions, methodologies and data collection tools per the analytical framework, in consultation with the WRI and KAICIID teams.
• Conduct interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders.

Case Study (40% time)

• Lead in the identification and development of a case study, including by mapping the context for a site visit in Rwanda , including cultural context, level/degree of religious activity in the community, role/responsibilities of local faith-based organizations and/or communities, validity of participation in accomplishing relevant goals of nutrition and food loss & waste (through desk reviews, interviews with key informants).
• Travel to the case study site to conduct research and data collection (for case study and general report), including through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, observation, and other methods. Ensure representation from diverse gender and age groups in this engagement.
• Synthesize and analyze findings according to a set of pre-determined questions and undertake additional targeted interviews as needed.

Synthesis and Report Development (30% time)

• Participate in virtual validation workshop with small expert group to present draft findings and gather feedback.
• Support drafting of communications materials (e.g., blog post) based on research.
• Write up analysis and findings in a landscape report (max. 10 pages) and a case study (max. 5 pages) both based on the analytical framework for this project.
• Support the development of the final research report (practice note) in coordination with project manager, research associate, and relevant team members.

What you will need:

Education: You have a Master’s degree or equivalent in Agri-economics, environmental sciences, public policy, sustainable development, social sciences, theology, or other relevant fields.

Experience: You have 7+ years of demonstrated work experience in policy analysis, sustainable development, food systems, ecology, religious engagement, or related topics.

• Subject-matter knowledge of specifics and trends in food systems and/or experience with faith-based initiatives.
• Experience of working in the food, sustainability, and/or faith-based sectors in Rwanda, including in conducting assessments and developing energy plans and strategies.
• Proven track record of conducting high-quality research and data collection including undertaking desk research, key informant interviews, field work, focus group discussions, and case study development.
• Experience in qualitative/quantitative data analysis and report writing in a language customized and accessible to the relevant stakeholders.
• Existing relationships and network of faith-based organizations, government and public sector officials, private sector professionals, and other relevant stakeholders is an asset.

Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of Kinyarwanda language is considered 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 resume with cover letter by the date of 20 September 2022. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

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.