News

The Food & Business Knowledge Platform is looking for a: Food Security Knowledge Broker (0.4 – 0.6 FTE)

News01 Sep 2014

The Food & Business Knowledge Platform has been initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the global quest of food and nutrition security through strengthening knowledge-sharing, research and innovation.

The Platform connects professionals from the private sector, Dutch ‘top sectors’, civil society, science, education and policy in existing and new networks and communities of practice.

The Platform shares, critically reflects on, generates, deepens and improves (interdisciplinary) knowledge aimed at improving practices and policies on food and nutrition security. This is achieved by identifying knowledge issues that are relevant now and in the future, learning and research, disseminating lessons learned and highlighting promising innovations.

Since the agro-food sector plays a crucial role in food and nutrition security, the Platform is a strong focus on business development, including on the business of farmers and small and medium agro-food enterprises in emerging countries.

The Food & Business Knowledge Platform is the gateway to knowledge for food and nutrition security.

The Platform is supervised by a Steering Committee of authoritative representatives from knowledge institutes, the business community, civil society and government. The Steering Committee decides the Knowledge Agenda, which is used to advise the scope of two research funds managed by NWO-WOTRO as well as to set priorities for activities within the Platform.

The Platform is supported by a secretariat (‘the Office’), which is staffed by a team of (part time) knowledge brokers and support staff from Agri-ProFocus, The Broker and the Centre for Development Innovation – Wageningen UR.

We are looking for a senior professional with experience in knowledge management, preferably in the agriculture and food sector, to join our team in the Office.

Responsibilities and tasks

The six knowledge brokers working in the Office team are jointly responsible for:

  • Identification and articulation of policy-relevant knowledge questions.

  • Aggregation, analysis and deepening of knowledge on food security together with various stakeholder groups.

  • Efficient organization of the knowledge-sharing process within the Platform, which includes engaging with and supporting networks and communities of practice in their knowledge management.

  • Effective facilitation of dialogue and debate to link knowledge and research with practice and policy. For example this could involve using expert meetings, online communities of practice, discussions and thematic meetings.

  • Value addition to existing information and knowledge in general and to promising innovations in particular, by facilitating smart and out-of-the-box dissemination.

  • Inventive promotion of Platform dynamics through e-journalism and the use of the latest online techniques.

The knowledge broker for this position will primarily concentrate on the first three responsibilities listed above.

Required competences

In line with the content of this function we look for a professional who has:

  • An academic background (MSc) and excellent analytical skills, thinks and acts strategically while being service-oriented and pragmatic at the same time.

  • Over 10 years of working experience in agriculture, food and nutrition, development economics, development studies or related fields. Several years of work experience in emerging economies and developing countries.

  • Ample experience with (the facilitation of) knowledge management and innovation.

  • Excellent networking skills and is sensitive to different cultures and the various interests of stakeholders.

  • An extensive network within relevant Dutch ministries, embassies, international organizations and knowledge institutes (preferably also in Africa).

  • Fluency in spoken and written Dutch and English. Knowledge of French is an advantage.

Candidates who possess the skills as listed above with experience of working with the business sector are especially invited to apply for this position.

Offer

The Platform offers you a challenging position in a dynamic and international working environment. The position will be located in The Hague and requires occasional international travelling.

Since the Office is not a legal entity, the employment contract will be with CDI-Wageningen UR. You will be employed for an initial period of one year with a possible extension of 1-3 years (salary indication 3.600 – 4.600 euro).

Please send your application before 1 October 2014 to ine.martens@knowledge4food.net, mentioning ‘Knowledge Broker’ in the subject line. Your motivation letter and CV should be addressed to the Director of the Food & Business Knowledge Platform, Mr. F. Verberne.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Mr. F. Verberne (06-21555022 / frans.verberne@knowledge4food.net) for more information.

Interviews will be starting from 15 October 2014 and an assessment may be part of the selection procedure.