Food Safety Officer (Project Coordinator - Food Control Systems Assessment)

Organizational settings The Division 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 Members 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 Officer (Project Coordinator - Food Control Systems Assessment) reports to the Senior Food Safety Officer and Lead Technical Officer of the project GCP/GLO/949/EC.

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 Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of Divisional programmes, projects, products and services with regard to food safety/food controls in accordance with Divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, online tools.
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.
• Participates in representing the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.

Specific Functions

• Coordinates 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; workshops participation feedback surveys.
• Ensures timely implementation of project activities and coordination of the different components of the project (including reporting obligations, monitoring of risk logs, coordination and sound directions to other staff employed under the project as well as directing the consultants) and provides financial and budgetary oversight.
• Maintains effective relationships between FAO units and offices collaborating in the project and communication with the European Union, other regional organizations and with the governments involved in the food control system assessments;
• Coordinates and oversees the food control system assessments, liaising with the governments and FAO country offices, outlining the process and main principles;
• Provides technical advice and inputs to specific processes of the African Union [the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development (AUC-DARBE), the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC), the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)] aimed at the development of Policies and Plans for African sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) governance. This will include advice on the development of technical capacities, capacity building programmes, strategic plans, operationalization of policy framework, based on the information stemming from the assessments.
• Supervises the preparation of training material including specific training material appropriate for distance learning.
• Contributes to the development of improved work methods and the revisions of the FAO/WHO food control system assessment tool.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in chemistry, biochemistry, food science, food technology, pharmacology/toxicology, veterinary public health or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in advising on, implementing and managing official food control activities.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian 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 or knowledge of official control systems, including policy and regulatory matters, and implementation considerations.
• Extent and relevance of experience in implementing national food control systems assessments, using benchmarked approaches, in supporting regional policy making processes, use of Codex Alimentarius standards and guidance, in support of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and trade considerations.
• Extent and relevance of experience in relation to the implementation of capacity development programmes aiming at providing technical support for strengthening national food control systems, or parts thereof.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical and policy advice in food control in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition, at national and regional levels.
• Ability to mobilize resources and maintain good relations with colleagues and donors and to deliver against deadlines, respecting procedures for reporting and sound management.