Consultant, Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) Coordinator – Rwanda Tender at Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

Duty Station: Private Sector Federation Office - Kigali, Rwanda 

Contract Duration: Fixed Term Consultancy (1 year, renewable based on performance and availability of funds) 

Number of positions: 1 

Application deadline: 15 February 2026 

About GAIN 

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people. 

At GAIN, we believe that everyone in the world should have access to nutritious and safe food. We work to understand and deliver specific solutions to the daily challenge of food insecurity faced by poor people. By understanding that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model, we develop alliances and build tailored programmes, using a variety of flexible models and approaches. 

We build alliances between governments, local and global businesses, and civil society to deliver sustainable improvements at scale. We are part of a global network of partners working together to create sustainable solutions to malnutrition. Through alliances, we provide technical, financial and policy support to key participants in the food system. We use specific learning, evidence of impact, and results of projects and programmes to shape and influence the actions of others.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, GAIN has representative offices in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We currently have a presence and conduct programming activities in Bangladesh, Benin, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. 

Rationale 

Rwanda has made significant progress in reducing poverty and improving health outcomes; however, malnutrition remains a critical challenge affecting human capital and economic growth. According to the seventh Demographic and Health Survey (DHS7), 27 per cent of children under five in Rwanda are stunted. While this reflects meaningful improvement, progress remains slower than national ambitions, with the country still off track to meet the projected 2029 stunting Target of below 15 per cent. The Government of Rwanda demonstrates a strong commitment through the National Family and Nutrition Policy and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which prioritise nutrition as a driver of sustainable development.

The market dictates and shapes the consumption of many Rwandans, with 78% of households obtaining food for consumption through markets. Limited availability of affordable, nutritious options in markets would lead to poor consumption among many households, resulting in increased malnutrition. The private sector plays a central role in the food systems – production and availability of affordable, nutritious foods, and must be mobilised to transform the food systems to deliver healthy, nutritious diets.

The National Child Development Agency (NCDA), in collaboration with the Private Sector Federation (PSF), World Food Programme (WFP), and Sight and Life Foundation (SAL), in December 2022 established the SUN Business Network (SBN) Rwanda. The SBN is one of four global networks of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, which supports 67 Countries, including Rwanda, to develop a multi-stakeholder approach to nutrition. The SBN Rwanda ambition is to mobilise and engage private businesses to act, invest, and innovate in responsible and sustainable ways to improve nutrition and end malnutrition in all its forms. Since its inception, SBN Rwanda has achieved key milestones, including increasing membership to 20 and establishing a secretariat to coordinate the network's activities.

The SUN Business Network (SBN) 

Established in 2012 and co-convened by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), SUN Business Network the SUN Business Network shares the SUN movement's vision: a world free of all forms of malnutrition by 2030. As the only dedicated platform convening the private sector on nutrition across SUN countries, the SBN’s overall vision is to reduce malnutrition in all its forms by bringing together the private sector, government, and other stakeholders to take joint, practical actions that accelerate private-sector contributions to improved nutrition.

The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement supports country-level action to end all forms of malnutrition. Since its launch in 2010 by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, 67 SUN countries and four Indian States have united through a shared commitment to scaling up nutrition action. To support SUN Countries to develop a multi-stakeholder approach to nutrition, four networks were established – the SUN Business Network (SBN), SUN Civil Society Network (CSN), SUN Donor Network (SDN) and UN Nutrition (UNN); these Networks together with the global SUN Movement Secretariat (SMS) make up the SUN Global Support System (GSS). 

The Assignment

To support the coordination and operationalisation of the secretariat, a local consultant (SBN Coordinator) is being sought with funding support from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). The position holder would, among other things, lead efforts to align private sector action with national nutrition priorities, foster partnerships, and ensure that business contributions are integrated into Rwanda’s nutrition agenda, supporting the country’s vision of a healthier, more prosperous future. 

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the National SBN Executive Committee, and overall guidance support from NCDA, the consultant is expected to lead the coordination of SBN activities in alignment with national nutrition goals and the benefits of the members. The SBN Coordinator will work closely with the National Executive Committee of SBN, NCDA, WFP, SAL, and other actors to:

1. Strategic Direction and Institutional Strengthening 

Outcome: SBN Rwanda has a clear strategic vision, strong governance, and a functional Secretariat to deliver its mandate. 

• Develop and validate a 5-year (2026 – 2030) national SBN Rwanda strategy with a costed implementation plan 
• Operationalise the SBN Secretariat office (hosted at PSF) for effective coordination and communication 
• Support the Executive Committee to expand SBN membership and sector diversity • Develop a sustainability and resource mobilisation roadmap to ensure long-term viability 
• Any other duty that may be assigned 

2. Coordination, Alignment, and Stakeholder Engagement 

Outcome: Improved coherence, collaboration, and alignment among nutrition stakeholders to advance national priorities. 

• Coordinate with existing SUN networks (civil society, academia, etc.) to ensure alignment and harmonisation 
• Strengthen stakeholder engagement with government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector 
• Identify and develop partnership opportunities through effective networking • Represent SBN at relevant public meetings, conferences, and forums 

3. Private Sector Mobilisation and Market Development 

Outcome: Increased private-sector participation, investment, and innovation adapted to scaling nutrition-sensitive and sustainable practices. 

• Conduct market mapping and create linkages to identify investment opportunities for the members 
• Organise events and workshops to enable business networking, collaboration, and peer learning 
• Provide technical guidance to businesses adopting nutrition-sensitive approaches • Facilitate access to financing and capacity-building initiatives for SBN members 

4. Policy Alignment and Strategic Advocacy 

Outcome: Private-sector action is aligned with national and global nutrition and development frameworks. 

• Ensure alignment with Rwanda’s NST2, PSTA5, and SDG targets 
• Integrate nutrition into sustainable food systems and economic growth strategies • Advocate for enabling policies that support nutrition outcomes driven by the private sector 

5. Knowledge Management, Communication, and Learning 

Outcome: Members and stakeholders are informed, connected, and engaged around nutrition and business. 

• Provide regular updates and information to members via newsletters, email, and other communication channels 
• Measure and report progress against agreed targets

Attachment

attachment_file_bc496aaf21ad53cf1c99