Lead Expert - Nutrition & Food Systems (EN/FR)

COLEAD is a non-profit interprofessional association founded in 1973 whose main purpose is to facilitate and implement all actions that directly and/or indirectly increase the contribution of the agri-food sector to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COLEAD manages development projects in the agricultural and food sector in low and low-middle income countries, financed by donors (mainly the European Union). More information is available on our website.

As part of the implementation of its new 5-year programme entitled “Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations (SPRING)”, funded by the European Union, through the EU Delegation to The Gambia, COLEAD is seeking to recruit a Lead Expert – Nutrition & Food Systems.

The overall objective of this new intervention is to enhance The Gambia’s horticultural sector’s contribution to economic growth, food security, food safety, and nutrition by accelerating a people-centered (particularly for women and youth), resilient, market-driven, and nutrition-sensitive agro-ecological transition.

The specific objectives are to:

1.       Increase investments, productivity, income and working opportunities especially for women, young people, and marginalized groups within targeted horticultural value chains.

2.       To improve plant health, food safety, quality management, and sustainable agroecological practices among horticultural producers and processors, especially women and youth; and

3.       To strengthen diversified, nutrition-sensitive, and agro-ecologically produced horticultural value chains.

 

Position

The Lead Expert – Nutrition & Food Systems will provide strategic, technical and operational leadership on nutrition-related activities under SPRING and other COLEAD programmes. The position will ensure that nutrition is effectively integrated across agri-food value chains and aligned with national policies, EU priorities and international standards.

Key responsibilities

·       Provide strategic leadership on nutrition and nutrition-sensitive agri-food systems, ensuring alignment with national nutrition policies, EU priorities and international standards (FAO, WHO, UNICEF).

·       Lead the design, validation and supervision of nutrition-sensitive interventions across agri-food value chains, enhancing dietary diversity and access to affordable, nutritious foods.

·       Lead the development and scaling of nutrition education and awareness initiatives, including Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) strategies and the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI).

·       Ensure that nutrition actions are evidence-based, culturally appropriate, gender-responsive and inclusive, with particular attention to women, youth and vulnerable populations.

·       Strengthen linkages between local production, food safety, food quality and nutrition outcomes throughout the agri-food system.

·       Support capacity building of public authorities, extension services, NGOs, producer organisations, MSMEs and training institutions on nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems.

·       Contribute to the development of training modules, guidance materials and tools within COLEAD’s Integrated Learning Framework.

·       Provide technical advice to programme teams and senior management on nutrition-related strategic decisions, risks and innovation opportunities.

·       Contribute to the definition, monitoring and reporting of nutrition-related indicators, including dietary diversity, nutrition awareness and behavioural change outcomes.

·       Develop and maintain technical partnerships with national nutrition authorities, international organisations (e.g. UNICEF, FAO, WHO), research institutions and civil society organisations.

·       Contribute to knowledge management, technical communication and representation of COLEAD in nutrition-related technical and policy forums.

 

Requirements

·       Higher education degree (Master level or higher) in public health or nutrition, pediatric or family health, health research, global or international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical sciences, health education, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field.

·       At least 10 years of professional experience in nutrition, food security, nutrition-sensitive agriculture or agri-food systems, preferably in low- or middle-income countries.

·       Proven experience in nutrition education, Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) and community-based nutrition programmes.

·       Strong understanding of the linkages between agriculture, food systems, gender, food safety and nutrition outcomes.

·       Experience working with institutional donors, public authorities, NGOs and private sector stakeholders.

·       Prior experience in international cooperation (preferably EU-funded) or multicultural environments, including coordinating activities with teams based in other locations.

·       Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in other COLEAD working languages (French, Spanish, or Portuguese) is an asset.

 

Other skills required :

·       Strong project management skills, including initiative-taking, planning, prioritisation of activities, analytical thinking, respect for procedures, and attention to detail.

·       Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey messages, synthesise complex information, and deliver compelling presentations in face-to-face and digital environments.

·       Strong interpersonal skills, including teamwork, effective collaboration, networking, active listening, and respectful engagement with diverse partners and stakeholders.

·       High level of autonomy, proactivity and sound judgement, with the ability to take informed decisions within a defined governance and reporting framework.

·       Results-oriented and solution-focused mindset, with the ability to meet deadlines, deliver quality outputs, and operate effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder contexts.

·       Strong self-learning capacity, motivation, flexibility, resilience to stress, and ability to adapt to evolving priorities and environments.

·       Curiosity, creativity and continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to formulate proposals and contribute constructively to innovation and organisational learning.

·       Intercultural sensitivity and awareness, with the ability to work effectively in international and multicultural settings.

·       Strong sense of ownership and engagement with COLEAD’s strategy, vision, mission and values.

·       Proficiency in standard IT tools, particularly MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); familiarity with collaborative project management or reporting tools is an asset.

 

Benefits

This is a full-time position with an initial one-year renewable contract. The position will involve regular travel to and within The Gambia and occasional travel elsewhere, as required by the implementation of programmes and projects managed by COLEAD.

The Lead Expert – Nutrition & Food Systems will be based in one of COLEAD’s programmes’ management units (Brussels, Lomé, Nairobi or Banjul) – according to the candidate’s profile and operational requirements.

COLEAD offers a competitive remuneration package aligned with market standards and reflective of the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Contractual modalities will be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the candidate’s profile, location, experience, and the applicable legal and administrative framework, following a detailed assessment of the most appropriate contractual arrangement.

Joining COLEAD means becoming part of a passionate, multicultural team dedicated to driving positive change. It is also an opportunity to gain enriching experience within an international association that supports actors across agri-food value chains to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable, more competitive, and more inclusive food systems.

The expected start date is in the second quarter of 2026.

 

How to apply

To apply for this role, please send your CV and cover letter, by 16th of February 2026.