A professional with a background in social sciences, development economics, rural sociology and/or international development studies, who will contribute to social inclusion (youth and gender in particular) in food systems in low and middle income countries.

The selected candidate has a strong affinity with food and nutrition security, rural development and poverty alleviation addressed through sector transformation and/or value chain development, especially in Africa and Asia. You have proven experience in acquiring, managing and/or implementing youth economic empowerment and/or gender equality projects. You are conversant with systems and complexity thinking, and can think and act beyond a single target group (e.g. youth and/or women).
The selected candidate is expected to take up a leading role in increasing the profile and visibility of WCDI's portfolio and impact in terms of youth and gender in food systems.
You will contribute to the implementation of the Centre's increasing portfolio of work, and emphasize inclusion of youth and gender. In addition, you are expected to play a role in the acquisition of new activities, again emphasizing social inclusion/inclusion of youth and gender.
Assignments range from project management, strategic acquisition and networking, capacity strengthening (including developing and facilitating short term trainings for professionals), action-oriented research, strategic and policy advice, and business development. WCDI's activities take place in Africa, Asia and (to a lesser extend) Latin America.

• MSc or PhD degree in development economics, international development, psychology (behavioural change), entrepreneurship and/or rural development sociology studies;
• A minimum of 8 years of working experience, preferably/largely in developing countries;
• Proven ability to acquire and implement a project portfolio;
• Proven experience in social inclusion/inclusion of youth and/or gender in the context of agricultural and agribusiness development
• A good network and the ability to work with the business-, government-, NGO- and academic worlds;
• A strong interest in linking theory with policy and practice;
• Affinity with capacity development and to facilitate the learning of others;
• Strong communication and facilitation skills with an ability to work and communicate across boundaries/cultures;
• Affinity with an entrepreneurial and dynamic working environment;
• A result-oriented and client-oriented team player;
• The position is Netherlands based; we expect willingness to travel extensively (short missions);
• Excellent spoken and written English is essential; fluency in other languages, in particular French or Spanish, is highly desirable.

An initial one year contract of 36 hours per week with a performance based possibility for extension. Scale 11 CAO Foundation Wageningen Research: minimum salary: € 2656, maximum salary: €4934 gross per month (based on fulltime employment), depending on education and experience. In addition we offer a holiday allowance of 8% of the annual salary and an end of year benefit of 3%.



As a future colleague you will be part of a motivated team that is ambitious about ongoing learning regarding youth and gender. We work on youth and gender as individuals, as a team within WCDI and aspire to walk the talk with our clients.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society, such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we do not do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.

Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need. For further information about working at Wageningen UR, take a look at
www.wageningenur.nl/en/Jobs.htm.

You will join Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI). We strengthening capacities for sustainable development in support of inclusive and sustainable food systems, through putting 'Knowledge in Action'. We do so through our unique approaches in fostering lifelong learning, guiding sector transformation, managing for impact, facilitating stakeholder collaboration and strengthening strategic leadership. A close connection between project implementation and capacity development characterises our work. In their work with clients from governments, businesses, civil society, NGOs and the academic world, our group of 60 staff connects Wageningen University & Research's knowledge and expertise with the challenges to support inclusive and sustainable food systems in low and middle income countries.