Food Safety and Quality Officer

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation, and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget.

RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office implements its Programme through four regional priorities, and this position will be located in the Regional Priority titled as "Health Diets for All".

The post is located in the Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines The Food Safety and Quality Officer reports to Senior Economist (lead of the Regional Priority on Healthy Diets for All), and works within the Regional Programming Framework and in close collaboration with the Food systems and Safety Division (ESF) and other relevant units within the FAO.

Technical Focus The Food Safety and Quality Officer contributes to the regional programme in general, and specific initiatives and projects on food safety and quality. The incumbent also provides support to Members on food safety and quality, relevant standards and certification related issues.

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/offices 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 Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line 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 • Provides technical support to the implementation of the FAORNE programme and projects in relation to food safety and quality, food labelling, mandatory and voluntary standards and certification; • Support the work of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNEA); • Provides technical guidance on strengthening national and regional food safety risk assessment processes as well as the use of the risk analysis framework by national and regional competent authorities; • Contributes to the implementation of food safety risk management and to the strengthening of food safety and quality surveillance and information systems along the value chains, including related to microbiological, chemical, physical and radiological risks to food safety; • Contributes to the development of national and regional research and capacity building for food safety and quality, including strengthening producers' capacity for enhanced food safety and access to markets with mandatory standards (food safety) and voluntary certification (geographical indications, organic agriculture, fair trade, etc.); • Provides technical support and backstopping to field projects and programmes in the field of food safety and quality, mandatory and voluntary standards and certification; • Organizes regional knowledge exchange, networking and partnership building to advance thinking and innovation in the field of food safety and quality; • Contributes to the preparation of strategies and resource mobilization efforts for the development and implementation of regional food safety and quality programmes, taking into account the FAO strategic priorities for food safety within the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in chemistry, biochemistry, food science, food technology, public health, pharmacology/toxicology, social sciences or a related field. • Five years of relevant experience in food safety and food control and/or development of food safety and quality standards, including at least two years of experience in leading such work at national, regional or international level. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies • Results Focus • Team Work • 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 and knowledge in assessing food safety and quality at the international level. • Extent and relevance of experience in the and analysis of occurrences of chemicals and biological hazards in food and associated food safety risks, issues related to food quality and standards, private and voluntary standards. • Depth of familiarity with relevant global, regional and national norms and certification schemes for food safety and quality, and extent and relevance of experience with international treaties and norms such as the Codex Alimentarius and Regional and National Food Safety and Quality Systems. • Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of programmes and projects for sustainability improvement in the agriculture sector. • Ability to analyse technically and politically complex food safety and quality issues