About the role

GAIN Kenya is seeking to recruit a Senior Associate, Policy and Advocacy to strengthen its policy and advocacy work and the organization’s ability to engage with and influence, local, national, regional and global policy and Institutional framework processes relevant to food and nutrition security.

This role will be offered on a one (1) year fixed term contract, subject to availability of funding and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. This advert closes on 24th July 2026. GAIN encourages early applications and reserves the right to close the advert ahead of the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of interest.

Key Responsibilities include.

• Support the implementation of the policy aspects for the various GAIN Kenya projects
• Review and synthesize key government food and nutrition related policy documents necessary to deliver project commitments
• Support Programme team and Policy Advisor to develop policy papers and briefs, advocacy messages, factsheets, presentations, stakeholder reports, consultation summaries, and knowledge products that effectively communicate evidence and policy recommendations.
• Research, edit, and produce policy documents, in collaboration with the Policy and External Relations team, Knowledge Leadership (KL) department and Programme Services team.
• Monitor, engage, and represent GAIN where appropriate, with key global and local policy dialogues
• Provide technical input in the design of policy and advocacy projects within the Country programme
• Support the Policy advisor in engaging with the key stakeholders in government, private sector, UN, donors and civil society including academia, media, and other development practitioners; to improve support for GAIN’s mission and increase resources allocated to nutrition in Kenya
• Synthesize and disseminate knowledge and evidence from GAIN Kenya programmes that can help drive the policy and influencing agenda for nutritious and safe food in Kenya

About you

The ideal candidate will have relevant experience supporting policy, advocacy, or development programmes within government, civil society, research institutions, or international organisations. They should demonstrate strong knowledge of food systems, nutrition, public policy, and regulatory environments, with proven experience conducting policy reviews, regulatory analyses, political economy assessments, and synthesising evidence into high-quality policy briefs, advocacy materials, reports, presentations, and knowledge products. Experience supporting project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, as well as contributing technical input to policy and advocacy initiatives, is highly desirable.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent research, analytical, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders including government, development partners, the private sector, academia, civil society, media, and donor agencies. They should demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience representing organisations in policy dialogues, coordinating advocacy initiatives, and translating programme evidence into actionable policy recommendations. The candidate should be highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities, and committed to advancing nutrition and food systems transformation through evidence-informed policy and advocacy. Familiarity with advocacy tools such as budget tracking, scorecards, and public participation mechanisms, together with an understanding of gender, inclusion, and safeguarding principles, will be an added advantage.

Education

Bachelors’ or Masters’ degree level in /public policy, international relations, law or other relevant qualification preferred, with strong experience in this field.

• Support the implementation of the policy aspects for the various GAIN Kenya projects
• Review and synthesize key government food and nutrition related policy documents necessary to deliver project commitments
• Support Programme team and Policy Advisor to develop policy papers and briefs, advocacy messages, factsheets, presentations, stakeholder reports, consultation summaries, and knowledge products that effectively communicate evidence and policy recommendations.
• Research, edit, and produce policy documents, in collaboration with the Policy and External Relations team, Knowledge Leadership (KL) department and Programme Services team.
• Monitor, engage, and represent GAIN where appropriate, with key global and local policy dialogues
• Provide technical input in the design of policy and advocacy projects within the Country programme
• Support the Policy advisor in engaging with the key stakeholders in government, private sector, UN, donors and civil society including academia, media, and other development practitioners; to improve support for GAIN’s mission and increase resources allocated to nutrition in Kenya
• Synthesize and disseminate knowledge and evidence from GAIN Kenya programmes that can help drive the policy and influencing agenda for nutritious and safe food in Kenya

• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Experience representing organisations in policy dialogues
• Coordinating advocacy initiatives
• Translating programme evidence into actionable policy recommendations
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities
• Familiarity with advocacy tools such as budget tracking, scorecards, and public participation mechanisms (added advantage)
• Understanding of gender, inclusion, and safeguarding principles (added advantage)

• Relevant experience supporting policy, advocacy, or development programmes within government, civil society, research institutions, or international organisations
• Strong knowledge of food systems, nutrition, public policy, and regulatory environments
• Proven experience conducting policy reviews, regulatory analyses, political economy assessments, and synthesising evidence into high-quality policy briefs, advocacy materials, reports, presentations, and knowledge products
• Experience supporting project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting
• Contributing technical input to policy and advocacy initiatives