International Consultant on Food Safety

Organizational Setting

FAO mandate in Georgia is to support national efforts to promote food security and sustainable development of agricultural sector. FAO priorities in Georgia reflect the objectives and priorities of the Government set in the strategy papers related to agricultural development. In essence FAO assists the Government in creating and implementing an institutional, legal and regulatory environment. At the same time, FAO supports individuals working in agriculture – farmers, cooperatives, companies etc. by providing technical and financial assistance.

Reporting Lines:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Georgia (FEGEO), direct supervision of the FAO Programme Coordinator and technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and other FAO technical officers in headquarters and REU, and in close collaboration with other project staff in Georgia, the FEGEO staff in charge of administration and finance as well as relevant local stakeholders, the incumbent will provide technical support in the implementation of the Project GCP/GEO/022/EC

Technical Focus:

The incumbent will lead the technical support in food safety for the implementation of the ENPARD Programme in Georgia, including the coordination with relevant technical officers of FAO in headquarters and REU offices.

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise in food safety to support the planning, development and implementation of the FAO ENPARD Programme in Georgia in accordance with FAO Strategic Objectives.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership assistance on the development, the implementation and evaluation of the project; • Assist to the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant stakeholders; identifies follow-up actions; • Assist/supervise preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications; • Contribute to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations • Participate in activities; structures training workshops, seminars, makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties; • Provide advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national protocols and guide lines for the project in the field of food safety. • Plan, lead and coordinat the food safety technical implementation of the ENPARD Programme. This includes: (i) provision of technical guidance over the development of project implementation plan/action plan, ensuring buy-in from all relevant stakeholders; (ii) provision of technical guidance and coordination of technical multi-disciplinary teams of national and international experts for the implementation of this plan; (iii) development and delivery of training materials and technical reports required for the implementation of the Programme; and (iv) provision of technical guidance over the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of project activities (through quarterly project progress reports, mission report, financial reports and other documentation) and propose adjustments to project activities as necessary. • Liaise with the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and other FAO technical officers in headquarters and REU to get technical input and technical clearances on technical reports and presentations. • Support and build capacity for the rest of the ENPARD team to ensure timely technical support and capacity building provided to relevant stakeholders and project partners during the implementation of the Project’s workplan. This includes training, coaching and mentoring. • Aligned with FAO’s monitoring and reporting standards, develop technical, statistical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related tools, methodologies, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programmes of work, products, projects, and services. • Design, conduct and coordinate the research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to allow for the collection of data for progress indicators and the assessment of the implementation of the programme in technical aspects as defined in the logical frameworks. • Draft policy proposals as well as provide technical specialist and/or policy advice and expertise, in collaboration with and under the guidance of the LTO and other relevant FAO technical officers. • Respond to requests from the donor, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and FAO Country Office and provide technical advice and support. • Promote linkages and technical cooperation with all relevant stakeholders in Georgia, including Government institutions, donors, private-sector companies and civil society organizations, and participate in technical platforms and coordination fora, meetings and conferences. • Facilitate public-private dialogues and partnerships among all relevant stakeholders in Georgia. This will contribute to the enhancement of linkages and collaboration between the stakeholders for the benefit of the Programme’s targeted population • Collaborate with all relevant stakeholders in Georgia in capacity development activities involving knowledge sharing and capacity building, such as training workshops, seminars, and meetings as well as the development of related materials and presentations.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in veterinary, food safety, food technology or related field. • Minimum ten years of experience in implementation of food safety/animal health/plant protection policies in EU member state countries. • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in implementing EU food safety regulations at country level • Extent and relevance of knowledge in areas such as food security, animal health and plant protection. • Proven knowledge of the EU acquis communautaire in terms of food safety • Experience in policy elaboration and implementation in food safety • Knowledge of Georgian context and experience of working in Georgia will be an asset.