Consultant (Development of procedures for the management of the Codex Contact Point and National Codex Committee )

Contract

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Stellis Requisition

Consultant for the development of procedures for the management of the Codex Contact Point and National Codex Committee

Contractual Arrangement: External Consultant

Contractual duration: 25 days (from inception to submission of a final technical report and orientation of CCP, starting early May 2022)

Schedule: Full time

Primary Location: Port Louis, Mauritius

Organization: AF_MUS Mauritius

Objective of the programme:

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an intergovernmental body that develops food standards at the international level. Global food standards such as those developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission are increasingly important in a world with an ever-growing international food trade to ensure the availability of safe and nutritious food for all and promote fair practices in the food trade and to allow more countries to participate in international food trade.

Codex texts (standards, guidelines and codes of practice) are voluntary in nature but they are referenced in the World Trade Organization Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO-SPS Agreement) as the benchmark standards in the event of a trade dispute, They are also an invaluable source of science-based standards readily available for countries to use to enhance food safety at country level.

Effective engagement in the work of Codex is important for all countries to ensure that Codex texts take account of global, regional and national needs, perspectives and data. Member countries are therefore encouraged to actively participate and contribute to the standards setting process of the Codex and a broad range of issues.

Recognizing the importance of Codex, Mauritius became a member of CAC in 1971 and the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security became the designated Codex Contact Point (CCP) for Mauritius. A National Codex Committee has also been established in 2010 with multi-sectoral representation from both the public and private sector. To effectively participate in Codex work, it is important to consolidate the codex structures at national level. The Codex Contact Point plays a very important role in the management of codex activities at national level. Given the range and breadth of Codex programmes, sound structures and systems at the national level are essential to support effective coordination and advancement of national interests in Codex,

This will ensure that, inputs on draft documents reflect the nation's position.

Organization context

The WHO Country Office supports the Ministry of Health and Wellness (Mauritius) to shape health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values and advocates for an integrated approach to health development.

Description of duties

To develop and validate a procedural manual that will ensure proper management and effective functioning of the CCP and the National Codex Committee (NCC) and its technical committees, and to orient/train staff of the CCP on the use of the procedures.

Summary of Assigned duties

Under the supervision, of the CCP and the overall technical guidance of World Health Organization Country Office for Mauritius, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Conduct a desk review of relevant documents (Codex Procedural Manual, Procedural manual on the operation of CCPs and NCCs in other countries, among others)
2. Prepare and submit an inception report of the assignment to the CCP
3. Elaborate a procedural manual specifying the structure, mandate, activities, budget line, and all necessary procedures for the effective management and functioning of the CCP, NCC and technical committees
4. Draft a document requesting the legal recognition of the structure established for Codex activities in Mauritius;
5. Prepare policy brief for approval of prepared documents by Senior Chief Executive/Cabinet including provision of resources/budget line
6. Facilitate, in consultation with the CCP and the World Health Organization Country Office for Mauritius, a stakeholder validation workshop of the drafted procedural manual.
7. Orient/Train staff of the CCP on the developed procedures/manual.
8. Prepare and submit a technical report of the assignment

Expected deliverables :

i. Inception report;

ii. Procedures for the management of the CCP and NCC, in a properly prepared (procedure manual or booklet (draft and final manual);

iii. Policy briefs for Senior Chief Executive/Cabinet

iv. Draft document requesting legal backing of NCC

v. Facilitation of a validation workshop;

vi. Orientation/training of staff of the CCP; and

vii. Technical report of the assignment.

Required qualification

Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters or a PhD) in Food Science, Food Technology, Public Health, Human Nutrition, Food safety, Agriculture or any related field.

Desirable: Additional training/s in the areas of in the field(s) of Food Safety

Experience:

Essential: At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in their field of expertise and international food standards.

Desirable: Experience working with WHO or UN agencies

Functional Knowledge and skills

1. In-depth knowledge of the functioning and operational procedures of the Codex Aiimentarius Commission and its subsidiary bodies;
2. Knowledge in the operations of a CCP and NCC;
3. Knowledge of Codex work in Mauritius and developing countries and WTO-SPS Agreement;
4. Ability to analyse data and formulate recommendations;
5. Excellent facilitation skills; and
6. Excellent report writing skills.

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Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Remuneration:

Remuneration will be aligned with the classified requirements of the Terms of Reference, related academic and professional experience applied for the grade in accordance with WHO consultant pay band ranges.