Food Standards Officer

Overview

Lead the development of food safety standards and ensure consumer health protection.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in food science, public health, biological sciences, veterinary medicine, agriculture science, nutrition or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in the development and application of food standards and food control programmes at national, regional or global level.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Organizational Setting

The Secretariat of the Joint FAO/World Health Organization (WHO) Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), which is the executive organ of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, is located in the Joint FAO/WHO Centre (Codex Food Standards and Zoonotic diseases) in FAO headquarters. The Secretariat is under the programmatic responsibility of the relevant Deputy Director-General and Assistant Director-General of FAO and WHO respectively, while administratively under the supervision of the FAO Deputy Director-General of the Natural Resources and Sustainable Production Stream.

The Secretariat is administered in accordance with the rules and regulations of FAO. It services the sessions of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies and acts as liaison between the Commission and interested sectors of FAO and WHO as well as the World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations and other international governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with the safety, quality and trade aspects of food standards.

The position is located in the Joint FAO/WHO Centre (CJWC) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Food Standards Officer reports to the Secretary, Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Technical Focus

The Food Standards Officer is responsible for: the effective and efficient, planning, preparation, implementation and follow-up of the work of specific subsidiary bodies of the Codex Alimentarius Commission to develop 'food safety and quality standards for the protection of consumers' health and ensuring fair practices in food trade and in line with the Codex Strategic Plan and; for related supporting activities, relations and partnerships.

Key Results

Administration and execution of scientific and technical aspects of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme within the Secretariat, Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Key Functions

• Leads the Codex Secretariat team (first officer) or supports the first officer (second officer) of various Codex general subject, commodity and/or regional subsidiary bodies of the Commission, including the preparation of agendas, technical and other working documents and reports of the session.
• Monitors progress of the work of the Commission, including the progress of standards development and the implementation of the Codex Strategic Plan.
• Prepares the final standards drafted by subsidiary bodies for publication following their adoption by the Commission, and in line with initiatives to improve usability and accessibility.
• Prepares technical papers and reports for the Commission and its Executive Committee in collaboration with the senior Food Standards Officer.
• Represents the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme at meetings of other bodies or organizations engaged in relevant international standards setting and related work.
• Participates in the work of international expert bodies convened by FAO and WHO to provide scientific or technical advice to the Commission.
• Oversees and advises on the review of applications for observer status of international organizations in Codex and the related regular review.
• Provides technical advice, on request by governments or other interested parties, and information concerning food standards and related matters.
• Contributes to the ongoing improvement of the policy and procedures followed by Codex.

Specific Functions

• Leads the Codex Secretariat team for at least three Codex subsidiary bodies ensuring all planning, preparation, implementation and follow-up activities are implemented in line with procedural requirements, including undertaking periodic review of the work of the subsidiary body and advising on issues such as strategic direction, identifying challenges and proposing solutions.
• Works closely with other Food Standards Officers and team members in particular to support the work of other subsidiary bodies and in particular facilitate exchange of information between different subsidiary bodies and ensure consistency of approach.
• Liaises with the Secretariats of the relevant FAO/WHO scientific advice bodies to ensure clear communication between the scientific bodies and the Codex subsidiary bodies on both requests and results and support related work planning.
• Acts as focal point and coordinates and leads engagement of the Codex Secretariat in specific FAO and WHO initiatives as well as specific external organizations.
• Supports the development and dissemination of information for delegates, through different activities from training initiatives to handbook development.
• Contributes to the communication activities associated with the standard setting areas they lead, including undertaking interviews and giving presentations, reviewing and clearing related news items, participating in outreach and training events contributing articles to the annual CODEX magazine as well as external publications.
• Performs other duties, as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in food science, public health, biological sciences, veterinary medicine, agriculture science, nutrition or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in the development and application of food standards and food control programmes at national, regional or global level.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official 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, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the development and application of food standards and food control programmes, in relation to food safety and quality, at national, regional or global level.
• Extent of overall understanding of the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and demonstrated technical knowledge in one of more of the areas covered by Codex food safety and quality standards.
• Extent and relevance of experience in analysing technical information and challenges, preparing clear reports and providing solutions and options for progress.
• Extent of experience in organizing and coordinating meetings, especially at global or regional level.
• Experience in intergovernmental and/or cross-sectoral negotiations and multilateral fora related to food safety and trade.
• Diplomatic and effective collaboration and communication skills for diverse contexts.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 month ago - Updated 1 month ago - Source: fao.org