Local Consultants: Legal Consultant on Milk Code and Food Standards - 11 Months

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a fair chance

UNICEF has been an active partner of the Government of the Philippines and civil society in realizing the rights of every Filipino child, in line with priorities to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. UNICEF efforts have been focused on the most vulnerable regions identified by the Government of the Philippines Development Plan, particularly in the regions of Visayas and Mindanao. To ensure that interventions are sustainable and scaled up, UNICEF will support primarily local government units (LGUs) as the main instruments of delivering services and building systems. The level of engagement with government institutions will take into account capacities, economies of scale and sector issues.

It has a field office in Cotabato City, the second largest city in Mindanao, southern Philippines, with some 300,000 population. The city is the regional administrative centre of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and over 80 percent of the population is Muslim. Mindanao is both conflict-affected and prone to frequent earthquakes and typhoon storms.

Visit this link for more information on Philippine Country Office: https://www.unicef.org/philippines/

How can you make a difference

• The Consultant will work under the supervision of the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration in close coordination with UNICEF and the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) for the Milk Code.

  Scope of Work:

  Specifically, the consultant will perform the following tasks: 1. In coordination with DOH and FDA, provide support to the DOH, Local Government Units (LGUs) and partners in the development of the National Milk Code Implementation Plan and its operationalization at the national and sub-national levels. 2. In collaboration with the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) for the Milk Code, DOH and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), support the process of approval of the amendments in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Philippines Milk Code. 3. Provide technical assistance to IAC, DOH and FDA in the formulation of show cause, cease and desists orders on Milk Code violations. The consultant is also expected to participate in the IAC deliberation to provide technical assistance. 4. In collaboration with FDA, provide support in the development of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Consumer Act of the Philippines. 5. In close collaboration with FDA, other National Government Agencies and partners, provide technical support with the review of policies, regulations and standards on labeling and marketing of food. 6. Support with the development of training materials on revised standards and regulations. 7. Provide technical support to the development of regulatory policies on Food Safety.

  In view of the restricted movement and internal resource adjustments necessitated by the COVID19 pandemic, the legal consultant will conduct on-line or virtual consultations with different stakeholders at the national and subnational levels when necessary to deliver results. With the present GCQ status being implemented in identified hot areas, the consultant is expected to take extra measure in observing proper protocol in dealing with partners at all levels. Remote discussions and meetings with UNICEF staff will also be considered. These approaches however may be replaced into face to face meetings and visits once situation is normalized depending on the area classification as advised by the government.

  Her/his contribution to assist in the implementation of the nutrition program in the coming 11 months will be highly valuable. Under the supervision of the UNICEF nutrition manager and nutrition specialist, the consultant will work closely with the DOH- Disease and Prevention and Control Bureau’s Women, Men and Children’s Health Development Division, Food and Drug Administration; National Nutrition Council, Members of Inter Agency Committee on Milk Code, UNICEF implementing agencies and other concerned agencies as needed.

Work Assignments/Tasks

• 1. In collaboration with the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) for the Milk Code, DOH and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), support the process of approval of the amendments in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Philippines Milk Code and its nationwide dissemination. 2. In coordination with DOH and FDA, provide support to DOH, LGUs and partners in the development of the National Milk Code Implementation Plan and its operationalization at the national and sub-national levels. 3. Provide technical assistance to IAC, DOH and FDA in the formulation of show cause, cease and desists orders on Milk Code violations. The consultant is also expected to participate in the IAC deliberation to provide technical assistance. 4. In collaboration with FDA, provide legal support in the development of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Consumer Act of the Philippines. 5. Revision and updating of Milk Code Monitoring Tool Kit in close coordination with DOH IYCF focal and World Vision IYCF person. 6. In close collaboration with FDA, other National Government Agencies and partners, initiate the review and development of policies, regulations and standards on labeling and marketing of food including complementary foods and provision of technical support to the development of regulatory policies on Food Safety. 7. Development of training materials on revised standards and regulations on food labelling and marketing of foods to children. 8. Final consultancy report

Deliverables

• • Dissemination materials; slide presentation and a summary brief detailing the approved RIRR of Milk Code. • National Milk Code Implementation Plan. • A framework of sub-national milk code implementation activities for integration into the local nutrition action plans.

  * Provincial Milk Code Implementation Plan that are included into the Local Nutrition Action Plans of the 3 provinces (Samar, Northern Samar and Zamboanga Del Norte) * Monthly report that includes the following: • Deliberations from the IAC meetings including results of the screening of materials submitted by the milk companies for advertisement. • Sample Cease and Desist Orders • Show cause letters • Evidence of action undertaken on violations of Milk Code

  * Final draft of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations on Consumer Act of the Philippines • Final revised monitoring tool kit ready for printing • Draft standards and policies on labelling of foods. • Draft guidelines on marketing of foods. • Draft regulatory policy on food safety.

  * Final copies of the above-mentioned standards/policies • Training materials on food labelling standards and marketing regulations of foods.

  * Training design * Final report

Qualifications and Competencies of Successful Consultant

• Minimum Qualifications required: Graduate of Bachelor of Laws and a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and in good standing. Advanced qualifications will be an added advantage

  Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

  Work Experience: A Filipino national with at least five years of professional experience in legal matters. Have demonstrated experience in working with government partners and other stakeholders in public and private sectors especially in the areas of policy and regulations; Have shown vast knowledge on the subject matter and implementation planning. Ability to meet deadlines and work with minimal day to day supervision. Excellent skills and experience in designing/reviewing plans.

  Languages: Fluency in English and local language is desirable.

  Critical Competencies: Technical • Familiarity to nutrition programmes particularly on enforcement and regulations both national and local. • High coordination and communication skills. • Experienced working with government agencies particularly on regulatory agencies • Working with UN agencies and other development partners an advantage • Good communication skills both English and local dialect. Excellent writing and analytical skills.

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an online candidate profile in http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ by 31 May 2021. Only applications sent through the e-recruitment portal under Job Number: 540518 will be considered.

All candidates are requested to submit a COVER LETTER, and the duly filled P 11 form which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc indicating three (3) previous supervisors. Please indicate your area of assignment, ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.

By applying through our Talent Management System (TMS) you agree to our privacy statement which is in line with the Philippines Data Privacy Act. You are strongly advised to read carefully through the privacy statement before submitting your application.

"UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles."