Food Safety and Quality Officer

Organizational Setting The Food Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF) supports a coordinated approach to the development of food systems, including inter alia, engagement in global level dialogue, platform and initiatives, the strengthening of food safety and quality at national, regional and international levels, the development of sustainable food value chains, reductions in food loss and waste and the implementation of the urban food agenda. The European Union (EU) funded project 'Strengthening food control and phytosanitary capacities and governance' (GCP/GLO/949/EC) foresees, inter alia, the implementation of food control systems assessments and phytosanitary capacity evaluations. ESF is the lead technical division and budget holder for this project, which is implemented in collaboration with the International Plant Protection Convention Secretariat, located in the Plant Protection and Production Division (NSP) in FAO, which will provide technical guidance for the implementation of nine Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluations.

This Project will be implemented in English, French or Arabic speaking countries.

The Food Systems and Food Safety Division of the Economic and Social Development Stream and the Plant Production and Protection Division (International Plant Protection Convention Secretariat) of the Natural Resources and Sustainable Production Stream support the strengthening of food control and phytosanitary systems at national, regional and international levels. This involves providing scientific advice on food safety and phytosanitary issues, support to programmes of capacity development and facilitation of effective communication and access to information by all Member countries on food safety and phytosanitary issues. These divisions are recognized as global leaders in the provision of scientific advice on food safety and phytosanitary issues to support the implementation of international standards for safety and quality of foods and phytosanitary measures in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use. The position is located in the Food Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF), Economic and Social Development Stream, at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines The Food Safety and Quality Officer reports to the Lead Technical Officer (Senior Food Safety Officer) for project GCP/GLO/949/EU.

Technical Focus Implement effective and efficient food safety and food control management measures to improve food safety at a national, regional and global level.

Key Results Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, online tools.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions

• Supports the coordination of the food control system assessments in selected countries of the project, liaising with the governments and FAO country offices, outlining the process and main principles and preparing all documents and relevant communications.
• Oversees the preparation and delivery of technical meetings, training and strategic workshops on the use of the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool, and provides support in the preparation of training material including specific training material appropriate for distance learning.
• Contributes to the elaboration of the costed plans stemming from the assessment and strategic planning processes and feeding into the SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) policy development programme of the African Union.
• Provides assistance and guidance, as needed, to the international consultants responsible to implement the assessment process, ensuring quality control and appropriate use of the methodology during the assessment process.
• Monitors, collects and reviews inputs generated by assessors on their assessment experiences, feeding into the maintenance and upgrade of the tool.
• Supports the preparation of all documents (including work plans and related detailed budget), contributes to administrative and operational activities to allow quick initiation of the project and provides substantial contributions for reporting requirements (quarterly short technical progress reports, annual progress reports and contribute to the consolidated final report).
• Supports communication and visibility activities such as: publication of news stories on the ESF web pages; preparation of material for media tools to give visibility to the project and the European Union funding; dissemination of information on the project activities at relevant events; preparation of workshops participation feedback surveys and compilation of results.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in chemistry, biochemistry, food science, food technology, veterinary public health, pharmacology/toxicology, or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in supporting the assessment and implementation of food safety and official food control measures at national, regional or international level.
• Working knowledge (proficient-level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of either Arabic, French or Spanish.

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in performing analytical work supporting the provision of technical advice in food safety, food control and SPS matters, in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition, at national and regional levels.
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in approaches and concepts used in assessments of food control systems, as well as in their implementation.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the implementation of projects and programmes internationally, including monitoring and reporting processes and procedures and relationships with donors.