National Food Control and Food Safety Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Nutrition Security Impact, Resilience, Sustainability and Transformation (FIRST) Policy Facility is a FAO and European Union partnership program with the purpose of providing a policy assistance mechanism for improved food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture. FIRST is designed to strengthen the enabling environment for food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture in a number of selected priority countries. Food safety is one of the fundamental principles for the sustainable development of Cambodia’s food system, for both public health and to harness trade opportunities. Despite rapid economic growth and development in the past decade, it is estimated that 11 percent of the highest and 18 percent of lowest wealth quintiles suffer from diarrhea in Cambodia and 8 percent of deaths among children under 5 are due to diarrhea. Lack of food safety can prevent micronutrient absorption and lead to malnutrition and acute and chronic diseases. This inextricable link is pronounced in Cambodia whereby the most nutritious foods (fresh uncooked vegetables, eggs, fish and meat) are often most at risk in terms of source of outbreaks. These issues are exacerbated in the absence of consistent cold chains. Food safety concerns start in the soil and extend through production and distribution systems through wet markets to food sellers and households, all the way to the digestive tract. Food safety problems can make us ill in the short run, lead to death or accumulate over time to cause chronic health issues including cancers. Given the link between microbial or chemical hazards and nutrition and the importance of food safety along the entire food system for improved livelihoods, FIRST has long recognized the topic as an important entry-point for policy dialogue in Cambodia. FIRST also recognizes the need for collecting evidence and strengthening analytical capabilities to support policy dialogue around the topic. The food safety governance landscape in Cambodia is fragmented, with little coordination and oversight; with the six ministries involved having various independent laboratories, inspectorates and regulatory requirements. For farmers or fisher folks, this is an obstacle to market access and for consumers, this means that food sold at the wet market is of unknown origin and may, or may not, meet safety standards. Several key development partners have long been active in this arena. Reporting Lines The National Food Safety and Food Control specialist works in close coordination with the FIRST Policy Officer(s) and International Food Safety Expert and under direct supervision of the Head of Operations and the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Cambodia.

Technical Focus

The National Food Control and Food Safety Specialist will support the FIRST Programme in Cambodia through the provision of expert advice and support on food safety and official food control along the food system, linked with nutrition, with the specific aim of gathering meaning information supporting a qualitative assessment of the food control system, to formulate key recommendations for its strengthening.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Help identify focal points and establish working relationships with CARD, MAFF (General Directorates, Administrations and Departments, starting with Fisheries and Crops), Ministry of Commerce, UNIDO, USAID, ADB, FAO and EUD and other Ministries and partners working to strengthen food safety along food systems in Cambodia. Time permitting, expand engagement with and facilitate cross-learning with livestock, agro-industry, and planning and statistics under MAFF to engage on issues related to food safety. • Support International Food Safety Expert to organize meetings and conduct in-depth interviews and consultations with the private sector (EuroCham and others), academia, innovation hubs, consumers, producers’ organizations, community fisheries, and key food safety actors on food safety. • Support the International Food Safety Expert to produce a food safety diagnostic note including identification of key institutional, technical, capacity and resources bottlenecks and a set of recommendations for policy and institutional engagement, partnerships, technical support, capacity building and investment opportunities in 2023 and beyond (specific timeframe to be determined for the food control system, including gender and youth considerations. • Organize inclusive policy dialogue on an emerging topic on food safety. This may include: coordination for food control in Cambodia, food safety practices along the food chain (selecting one, or a limited number of examples); and may explore connected considerations such as entrepreneurship, gender and food safety; nutrition and food safety and regional integration aspects.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in food safety, food and nutrition policy, public health or related field • At least 5 years of relevant experience in food safety assessments. • Working knowledge of English and Khmer • National of Cambodia or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting food safety assessments. • Familiarity with the national food safety regulatory frameworks. • Ability to conduct policy analysis • Ability to engage and deal with wide range of stakeholders (e.g. Government, Development Partners, Private Sector, Academia) and facilitate dialogue. • Ability to produce quality reports both in English and Khmer. • Demonstrated knowledge on Codex Alimentarius and the food control concepts and terminology will be considered an advantage.