Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The position is located in the Food Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF), Economic and Social Development Stream. The Division provides strategic leadership for FAO’s support to Members in the development of more sustainable agrifood systems. Working in close coordination with other technical units at headquarters and the Decentralized Offices, the Division is tasked with integrating FAO’s scientific and economic analyses to provide improved policy guidance and targeted investment in agrifood systems. Bringing together FAO’s longstanding experience and capacities in strengthening systems of food safety and quality control with its technical support to Members in the areas of value chain development, agroindustry and agribusiness enterprise development, urban food systems and food loss and waste, the Division integrates and extends food systems support across the Organization.

Reporting Lines

The consultant / PSA will perform his/her duties under the overall direction of the Senior Food Safety Officer, ESF and work in close collaboration of the Food Safety Officer(s), and in consultation with other relevant ESF technical officers.

Job Summary:

Comprehensive technical and/or policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services with regard to food safety/food controls in accordance with the Division’s objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Responsibilities

Candidates will lead, support or execute some of the following tasks:

•    Review approaches and practical arrangements for official food control systems, or parts thereof, and provide recommendations for improvement;
•    Lead or support, as a team member, the assessment of national food control systems, using FAO approaches, such as the FAO/WHO food control system assessment tool and guide strategic discussions for determining priorities and planning progressive improvement of the national food control capacities;
•    Review food safety and quality policy frameworks, and lead or provide support to their (re)formulation, using evidence based approaches;

•    Assess national capacities with regard to Codex Alimentarius work and provide specific recommendations for improved involvement in Codex Alimentarius processes;
•    Provide guidance on strengthening food safety risk assessment processes by national competent authorities in microbiological, chemical or other risk disciplines as necessary, as well as use of the risk analysis framework;
•    Provide support or lead the design and implementation of events such as workshops and training courses for capacity development aimed at strengthening national food control systems, on various aspects (e.g. practical use of the risk
analysis framework to support decision making; risk-based approaches for domestic and /or import inspection; risk communication; food safety emergency preparedness and response, analytical capacities);
•    Formulate projects or programmes aiming at strengthening food control systems, or parts thereof, using the logical framework approach or similar approaches.

Requirements

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in food safety agricultural and veterinary science, food science and technology, or a closely related matter (including legal and public policy matters bearing a relation to food safety).
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in one or more areas related to food safety, official food control systems, trade and legal aspects of food safety, food safety risk analysis.
•    Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (including Arabic, Chinese, Russian).  For PSA it can be required only one language Level C, either English, French or Spanish.

FAO Core Competencies

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

REQUIRED EDUCATION Bachelor’s Degree
WORK HOURS: 8 Hours a Day
EXPERIENCE IN MONTHS: 60