NutriScapes Field Project Assistant
Reference number: 1130
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Local Position
Duty station: Yangambi/Yanonge, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Landscape Alliance
Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to
advance planetary health and human well-being. Landscape Alliance is the operating name of the Center for International
Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF). CIFOR and ICRAF are
independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers.
Landscape Alliance is looking for a
NutriScapes Field Project Assistant
Overview
CIFOR (Center for International Forestry Research) is an international non-profit research institution that conducts research and development on the most pressing issues for the management of the world’s forests and landscapes. Through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve human well-being, protect the environment and increase equity.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, CIFOR, in collaboration with several partners, carries out biodiversity development, research, conservation and protection activities mainly in the Yangambi Landscape (YEL), including the rural and urban peripheral areas of the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve
CIFOR-ICRAF has been actively engaged in the Yangambi landscape since 2016. Through the FORESTS project, CIFOR-ICRAF and its partners have focused on changing behaviors in favor of forest conservation, which is experiencing significant deforestation and is one of the root causes of the food and nutrition crisis in Yangambi. The NutriScapes project, launched in 2023, intervenes in six villages in the Yangambi landscape to reduce malnutrition and improve food security. It aims to drive a necessary paradigm shift by placing improving food and nutrition at the heart of activities.
CIFOR-ICRAF’s NutriScapes nutrition intervention approach has two components. The first aims to improve the production of diverse and nutritious foods on farms in forest-dependent communities, including through a range of improved local food trees and exotic food trees. The second aims to improve nutrition through awareness and education on healthy eating principles, helping communities create new recipes from nutrient-rich local foods, and encouraging the diversification of diets through the range of foods produced in the first component.
Through the NutriScapes project, CIFOR-ICRAF is working with partners (EMSuDe, PRONANUT, health zones, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture) as well as communities to improve household food and nutrition security in the Yangambi landscape.
To ensure the effective and sustainable implementation of NutriScapes activities in the Yangambi Engagement Landscape, CIFOR-ICRAF relies on field-based project staff to facilitate community-level implementation, monitor activities, support data collection and quality, strengthen communication with local stakeholders, and ensure timely transmission of reports and monitoring information to the NutriScapes project management team.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The overall objective of the NutriScapes Field Project Assistant is to support the effective implementation, monitoring and coordination of NutriScapes project activities in their assigned intervention area within the Yangambi Engagement Landscape.
The applicant will contribute to community engagement, implementation of field activities, monitoring and data collection, coordination with local stakeholders, reporting and monitoring of project activities, in line with the NutriScapes Implementation Plan and CIFOR-ICRAF policies and procedures.
Duties and responsibilities
The NutriScapes
Field Project Assistant assigned to the Yangambi/Yanonge landscape will work for one year in three to six
villages in Yangambi.
1. Project implementation and training
Support the implementation of NutriScapes project activities in the
assigned intervention area, in close collaboration with the NutriScapes project
management team, relevant CIFOR-ICRAF staff, implementing partners, and local
communities;Support the development, adaptation and preparation of technical training
and communication materials, in collaboration with the NutriScapes project
management team and relevant technical staff;Support the logistical preparation and organization of meetings,
workshops, training sessions and other project activities in the assigned
intervention area;Co-facilitate training workshops and community capacity building
activities, and monitor their implementation in the assigned area of
intervention;Support and facilitate community awareness sessions on the themes
promoted by the NutriScapes project;Perform any other duties and provide support to any additional project
activities related to the position, as directed by the line manager;Establish and maintain an effective flow of information between field
teams, the NutriScapes project management team, implementing partners,
community structures, other CIFOR-ICRAF teams, and other relevant stakeholders;Support the monitoring of NutriScapes project activities in the assigned
intervention area, under the supervision of the NutriScapes Project Manager and
in collaboration with relevant monitoring, evaluation and learning staff;Support the coordination, implementation and capacity building of
community structures and implementing partners involved in NutriScapes
activities in the assigned intervention area, in accordance with approved
project plans and technical guidance;Co-facilitate trainings and capacity building activities for community
workers, community facilitators and other community actors involved in
NutriScapes activities.
2. Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations
Represent the NutriScapes project at the community level and with local
stakeholders in the assigned area of intervention, within the limits of
delegated authority, CIFOR-ICRAF policies and instructions from the line
manager;Facilitate meetings and exchanges with communities on NutriScapes
approaches, activities and themes in the assigned area of intervention;Support community facilitators in monitoring community food and nutrition
groups as well as other community structures involved in NutriScapes
activities;Immediately report any security incident, threat or significant
deterioration of the security situation on the ground, in accordance with
established reporting mechanisms;Proactively communicate and seek guidance from the line manager on any
issues that may affect implementation, community relations, or security on the
ground;Support the organization and facilitation of capacity building sessions
for community actors, based on the identified needs and project priorities;Promote and maintain constructive collaboration with local administrative
authorities and relevant technical services to support the implementation of
NutriScapes activities in the assigned intervention area;Ensure effective and timely communication between the NutriScapes project
team, communities, local authorities, implementing partners, and other relevant
stakeholders in the assigned intervention area.
3. Data Tracking, Collection and Management
Facilitate and carry out data collection using approved collection tools
and procedures, based on program needs and project requirements;Provide technical guidance and follow-up to community-based organizations
and community facilitators involved in project activities and data collection,
while supporting data quality and compliance with approved procedures;In collaboration with the NutriScapes project team, ensure the timely
completion of field activities, data collection, information sharing and
reporting in the assigned area;Support the NutriScapes Project Manager and relevant technical staff in
the preparation, adaptation and field testing of data collection tools,
including forms, questionnaires and digital collection tools;Collect and document information related to community capacity building
needs, technical assistance needs, and other implementation gaps identified in
the assigned intervention area;Support the compilation, verification and preliminary analysis of
relevant project information and data, in collaboration with the NutriScapes
project team.
4. Planning, reporting and coordination
Contribute to the development and regular updating of monthly and
quarterly work plans for the assigned intervention area, in collaboration with
the NutriScapes project team;Participate in weekly, monthly, quarterly and other coordination meetings
organized by the NutriScapes project team, as required;Contribute to the preparation of terms of reference, business plans,
reports and other project documents necessary for the implementation of
activities, as directed by the line manager;Coordinate with the NutriScapes project team to ensure that planned
activities in the assigned intervention area are reviewed and validated
according to the appropriate project process prior to implementation;Keep the NutriScapes project team informed of the progress, completion,
results and challenges related to field activities in the assigned intervention
area;Ensure timely sharing of relevant field information, updates and reports
with the NutriScapes project team and other relevant partners to support
effective coordination and decision-making.
KEY AREAS OF PERFORMANCE
Project implementation: effective and timely implementation and
monitoring of assigned NutriScapes activities;Community engagement: effective engagement, mobilization and
participation of local communities and stakeholders in project activities;Monitoring and data quality: collection, verification and transmission of
project information and data in a timely, accurate and complete manner;Planning and reporting: preparation and timely submission of work plans,
activity reports and other documents required by the project;Coordination and communication: effective communication and information
sharing between field activities, communities, partners and the NutriScapes
project team;Compliance with policies and safeguards: Consistent adherence to
CIFOR-ICRAF policies, security procedures, protection requirements, and
professional standards;Responsiveness and problem solving: Timely identification, communication
and follow-up of operational difficulties and emerging issues affecting project
implementation.
WORKING METHODS AND REPORTING
The NutriScapes
Field Project Assistant is a salaried position to support the ongoing implementation of
NutriScapes activities in the Yangambi Engagement Landscape. The position is based
in Yangambi/Yanonge, Tshopo Province, and is carried out in accordance with applicable
CIFOR-ICRAF employment policies and procedures as well as the conditions of
appointment:
The incumbent will be based in Yangambi/Yanonge and will be expected to
provide a regular field presence in the assigned intervention area, in
accordance with CIFOR-ICRAF’s working modalities and project requirements.
He/she will participate in field activities, project meetings, and any other
activities required by the position;The incumbent will prepare and submit activity reports, field visit
reports and other required documents in accordance with the project reporting
requirements and the instructions of the line manager.
Requirements
The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, agriculture, agronomy or a similar
field, with at least three (3)
years of relevant professional experience in supporting nutrition and agriculture activities
in the field;The candidate must have proven experience in planning, implementing and
monitoring community activities, including training, outreach and capacity
building;The candidate should have a good knowledge of the local context and YEL
communities, a good command of relevant local languages, including Swahili and
Lingala, as well as good report writing skills.
Education, knowledge and experience
- The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, agriculture, agronomy or a similar field, with at least three (3) years of relevant professional experience in supporting nutrition and agriculture activities in the field;
- The candidate must have proven experience in planning, implementing and monitoring community activities, including training, outreach and capacity building;
- The candidate should have a good knowledge of the local context and YEL communities, a good command of relevant local languages, including Swahili and Lingala, as well as good report writing skills.
Terms and conditions
- This is a Locally Recruited Position (LRS). CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency commensurate with skills and experience.
- The initial appointment will be for one (1) year, with a three-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
- The position is based in Yangambi/Yanonge.
Application process
The application deadline is 15 Sep 2026.
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.