CIFOR & ICRAF in action

Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to advance planetary health and human well-being. It is the shared operating name of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), two independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers working together through a common strategy, governance and leadership structure.

CIFOR and ICRAF bring together decades of scientific leadership in forests, trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, climate, food systems and livelihoods. CIFOR, headquartered in Bogor, Indonesia, advances research on forests and landscape management to inform policies and practices that improve human well-being, protect the environment and increase equity. ICRAF, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment, generating knowledge that helps governments, development partners and farmers make farming and livelihoods more sustainable.

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.

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.
  

UNICEF: Un(e) Stagiaire en communication digitale (Community Management) – 6 mois, Kinshasa – DRC, WCAR

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.

•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.

•	Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with communities, local authorities, partners and project stakeholders;
•	Good community facilitation and mobilization skills;
•Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and maintain constructive working relationships with colleagues and partners;
•Good planning, organization and time management skills;
•Ability to work independently and effectively in remote and challenging field environments;
•Good problem-solving and decision-making skills within the limits of the responsibilities of the position;
•Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality and accurate documentation;
•Good report writing and documentation skills;
•Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel;
•Ability to use or learn digital data collection and communication tools;
•Ability to communicate effectively in French and relevant local languages;
•Commitment to professional integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and respect for communities.

•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.