National Specialist in Food Analysis
Contribute to food control system improvements in Sri Lanka
This opening expired 3 years ago.
Do not try to apply for this job.
Overview
Contribute to food control system improvements in Sri Lanka
You have:
- An Advanced university degree (a master’s degree or above) in analytical chemistry or food analysis any other related field
- Minimum of 08 years of relevant experience in laboratory analysis
- Minimum of 05 years work experience in food safety activities at country level with experience in food control fields
- The candidate must be a National of Sri Lanka or must hold a regular work permit
- Working knowledge of English is required along with working knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil
Organizational Setting
The FAO of the United Nations Sri Lanka office implement EU funded project on supporting the Sri Lanka's food control system to adopt better standard based practices in the agriculture and food sectors. The project aims at assisting the government to improve the food control system in line with international best practices for consumer protection. The National Specialist in Food Analysis will contribute the implementation of this project
Reporting Lines
The National Specialist in Food Analysis will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) Sri Lanka, the Lead Technical Officer, the FAO Legal Office and relevant FAO Technical Officers, in consultation with relevant government departments. He/she will interact closely with the national specialists and international consultants and will be supported by the Project Management Unit (PMU).
Technical Focus
Result Area 1 - Food competent authorities operate an effective food control system in line with international best practices for consumer protection.
Tasks and Responsibilities
His/her tasks include, but not limited to:
- Serve as a member of the project’s food Safety Control System team (composed of the International Consultants, National Specialists, and the incumbent).
- Review the draft food safety policy, act and regulations and identify the gaps in the system in the areas of food analysis, contaminants, additives and other relevant areas and identify key elements for integration into the draft policy act and regulations.
- Support the development of the food safety policy and legislation and support the revision of the national legal report by the team.
- Collect data and collate relevant information on laboratory capacities for food testing in the country using the tool for conducting an evaluation of the country food safety situation.
- Assess human, financial and material resources and identify related gaps as well as need of food control laboratories.
- Develop Food hygiene protocols, procedure manuals, SOPs, training materials, for food business operators and food inspectors.
- Evaluate codex text in relation to CODEX - Contaminants in foods, Food additives, Residues of veterinary drugs in foods and other relevant areas and propose national positions to national codex committee. Share the information with the national legal consultant and help him integrating it into the national legal report.
- Assist in developing laboratory manuals, food inspection manuals, SOPs and training materials.
- Draft reports to be submitted to Technical Advisory Group according to the workplan
- Collect data on foodborne diseases, food hygiene and food safety issues in the country
- Validate the data/information collected by the other team members and collate the work.
- Revise and finalize the draft reports using the comments from the wider stakeholder validation workshop.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- An Advanced university degree/ (a master’s degree or above) in analytical chemistry or food analysis any other related field
- Minimum of 08 years of relevant experience in laboratory analysis
- Minimum of 05 years work experience in food safety activities at country level with experience in food control fields,
- The candidate must be a National of Sri Lanka or must hold a regular work permit.
- Working knowledge of English is required along with working knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/ Functional Skills
- Experience in international development would be an added advantage.
- Good understanding of agriculture/food related development issues and similar activities in Sri Lanka.
- Demonstrated experience in working with government structures at national level and wider stakeholders and being well versed with national communication processes an added advantage.
- Knowledge of UN administration and related procedures an advantage.
- Proficiency in the use of office software packages and in handling web-based management systems.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe an experience where you identified gaps in food safety policy? | This assesses your ability to critically evaluate and improve food safety standards. | Discuss a specific instance, the steps you took to analyze the policy, and the outcome. |
| What methodologies do you use for collecting data on food safety issues? | This gauges your proficiency in data collection techniques relevant to food safety. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How have you engaged with stakeholders in previous projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you had to revise a report based on stakeholder feedback. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What training materials have you developed in your past roles? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 3 years ago
-
Updated 1 year ago
-
Source:
fao.org
