AFLATOXINS STUDY TEAM LEADER – NATIONAL CONSULTANT

Organizational Settings

The Kingdom of Eswatini currently does not have information on the level of aflatoxin contamination on the food chain, without informed data the public knowledge of mycotoxin negative effects in the country remains low and mostly unknown by the populace. This is mainly due to minimal knowledge and understanding of aflatoxins by the general population as well that the only facility that tests for mycotoxins only does qualitative analysis. Extensive studies on the impact of human health on long-term exposure to aflatoxins indicate that it results to liver cancer amongst other health issues.

The World Health Organization released a report in 2015 estimated that aflatoxins were responsible for nearly 20,000 deaths each year, of which 3 000 of the deaths on the African continent. Besides causing liver cancer, aflatoxins have been associated with other health problems in people such as stunting in children and immunosuppression. Consumption of high amounts can result in acute poisoning and death in humans and livestock and acute exposure can result in aflatoxicosis, which manifests as severe, acute hepatotoxicity with a case fatality rate of 25%. The negative effect of aflatoxins in livestock cannot be ignored. Statistics on cattle show a number of abortion cases having taken place from different farms in all the four regions of Eswatini. This is in sync with the Ministry of Agriculture (2015-17) reports which revealed that some animal feed tested positive for mycotoxins.

It is on this basis therefore that the Government of Eswatini through FAOs support shall conduct national survey to establish the extent of aflatoxin exposure among the people of Eswatini. The findings from the national survey shall reveal the extent of mycotoxin contamination in Eswatini, the level of community awareness on how to recognize, handle, and dispose contaminated foods and crops and animal feed so that relevant interventions/ programs can be developed to respond to these. This will assist the country in the development and dissemination of appropriate technologies to minimize aflatoxin contamination in food and animal feed. Then food and feed safety levels will increase resulting in a healthy nation and enhanced trade locally and internationally.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall operational supervision of the FAO Representative in Eswatini, (FAOR), the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR and the technical supervision of FAO’s the Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (SFS)’s Nutrition Officer. The Team Leader will work in close collaboration with FAO RAF and the Nutrition and Food Systems Division (ESN) and in close consultation with the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and the Task Team, the Team Leader will provide technical and leadership and oversight on all aspects of the Prevalence of Aflatoxin survey in Eswatini.

Technical Focus

The team leader shall be primarily responsible for providing high-level support to the implementation of the survey activities in line with Eswatinis research requirements and in conformity with the study protocol submitted to the Ethic committee. The person shall be responsible for all oversight of the survey, including development of the project workplan, training of data collectors and data clerks, field data collection and analysis, progress reporting; validation of the survey and the management of the data collection team. He/she shall also be responsible for compiling the final Prevalence of Aflatoxin survey in Eswatini.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee the implementation of the Prevalence of Aflatoxin Survey for Eswatini;
• Coordinate the provision of technical and logistic supports for sound and timely implementation of the survey;
• Contribute to the preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training modules in relation to the survey;
• Conduct training for data collectors in preparation for data collection;
• Lead the data collection team for the survey;
• Provide guidance for the active collection of information/data and relevant samples during the survey;
• Provide solutions and tools and platforms for field data collection and data storage/collation/analysis;
• Facilitate the data analysis and report compilation;
• Provide regular updates on the survey process and contribute to the preparation of briefs, reports presentations, and FAO publications;
• Facilitate stakeholder awareness workshops including the initial and validation stakeholder workshops;
• Prepare the final report for the survey;
• Perform other duties, as required, assigned by the FAOR;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:

Minimum Requirements

• At least a Masters in Food Science, Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology or related fields;
• Minimum of 5 years of (post masters) professional experience in public health activities;
• Nationality of Eswatini or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience in conducting research and being a team leader;
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member;
• A proven understanding of the Eswatini public health sector;
• Good communication and presentation skills;
• Full working capability in English and SiSwati;

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in conducting research and being a team leader;
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team leader ;
• A proven understanding of the Eswatini public health sector;
• Good communication and presentation skills;