Rations Officer - Quality Assurance Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNMISS was established in 2011 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO); subsequently, UNMISS mandate has been renewed through resolutions 2057 (2012), 2109 (2013), 2155 (2014), 2187 (2014), 2223 (2015), 2241 (Dec. 2015), 2304 (2016) and 2327 (2016), 2392 (Dec. 2017), 2406 (Mar. 2018), 2459 (Mar. 2019), 2514 (Mar. 2020), 2567 (Mar. 2021), 2625 (Mar. 2022).

Reporting to the Chief Rations Unit (CRU), under the Supply Chain Management Service, the UNV Rations Officer/Quality Assurance Officer’s responsibilities will include:

• Establish, monitor, and verify the Quality Assurance Program and the Risk Management System of the Rations Operations in the Mission. • Design and conduct the routine evaluations, verifications, and validations of the contractor’s compliance to all rations’ specifications, hygiene – food, personal & equipment standards, warehousing, vehicles, and delivery procedures and ensure appropriate record keeping.
• Organize Quality Surveillance Inspections to ascertain conformance of contractor’s Supply chain, i.e., sources, procurement, certification, handling, cold chain, storage, and training. Also included are calibration, pest control and utilities including lighting, ventilation, water supply, humidity; and inbound food commodities like dry, frozen and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (FFVs). • Ascertain quality assurance, verification of conformance with specifications and monitoring of acceptable performance standards by the Food Rations’ contractors and TCCs/PCCs. • Design and develop Traceability and Food Alert management system to include prompt withdrawal of defective and/or unsafe products from recipients of rations. • Conduct FSQMS inspections in all the contractor’s warehouses and submit comprehensive reports with findings and recommendations to the CRO. • Plan an effective weekly physical inventory inspection in line with the Stock Compliance Report (SCR) by the contractor to ensure accuracy and availability. • Liaise with the Field / Sector Rations offices/operators in compliance with key principles of the contracts supply chain related to: • Contractor’s quality control monitoring and the mission Quality assurance surveillance program to prevent hazards, i.e., foodborne illnesses. • Building of clients’ capacity through training for better rations and emergency reserve stock management. • Monitoring of the supply chain to obtain appropriate updated information and communicate to the clients accordingly. • Timely submission of reports/inputs for Senior Management review. • Design and harmonize with the Field / Sector Rations officers and QAEs the delivery procedures with respect to ALL QA Standard, not limited to GHP, HAACP, CODEX, the UN Rations Management Guideline and SOP. • Monitor and validate contractor’s incoming shipment documentations - packaging size, original health & veterinary, sanitary, and phytosanitary, halal, country of origin certifications; and maintain appropriate records keeping. Share reports and/or findings with CRO and Field / Sector offices. • Review and evaluate the contractor Suppliers Validation documentation and the External & Internal audits reports as per contractual requirements. • Conduct follow-up and trail inspections to confirm corrective actions are implemented; procedures are continuously improved and compliance with QA instructions to include labeling, nutritional facts, manufacturing details, shelf life Best Before Date (BBD). • Witness contractor’s disposal of rejected commodities; keep records of stock on hold and submit comprehensive reports thereof, to CRO. • Monitor the contractor’s Quality Control Plan and ascertain UNSTD compliance. • Keep records on GHP over warehouse facilities, environments, products, food handling personnel. • Organize periodic inspections of subcontractors’ premises such as Bakery, Poultry and FFVs farms to confirm GHP is consistent with Codex / HACCP principles. • Confirm and monitor safety standards in the areas of pest control management, health, and safety equipment - fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, protective clothing (jackets & boots) and hand gloves. • Monitor and verify inventory levels to ascertain available stocks meet Contractual requirement – Operating and Reserves requirements. • Evaluate and validate contractor’s stocks to assess non-conformities and apply the appropriate warehouse management service credit rating as enshrined in contract. • Perform any other duty as assigned by the CRO from time to time.

• Integrity and professionalism • Accountability • Planning, effective organizational and problem-solving skills • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Communication • Flexibility and willingness to live and work in hazardous and remote places • Commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

the areas of supply, project/contract management or logistics support, preferably in the field of food technology.

Experience in managing support services of international peacekeeping, field or military operations is highly desirable. Knowledge of the UN rules, regulations and working practices pertaining to field missions is an advantage.

Solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word etc) and other IT applications and office technology equipment.

Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Sound security awareness.

Living conditions vary between UNMISS duty stations. Each duty station where UNMISS has a field presence has basic residential camp facilities, which includes running water and electricity. Candidates should be aware that accommodation is austere and there may be the possibility of water shortages and power blackouts. As the accommodation situation improves single unit accommodation, with an attached ablution, should become available in all locations.

All UNMISS duty stations apart from Entebbe, Uganda are considered non - family duty stations. The security level of UNMISS duty stations is classified by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who will brief on arrival. Several locations in South Sudan are prone to conflict.

Some degree of medical service is provided in all UNMISS duty stations. The climate is tropical with a rainy season in many areas that spans from April to October. Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions is essential.