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Qualifications

Background

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an intergovernmental body that develops food standards at the international level. Its main objectives are to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in food trade. 

Codex texts (standards, guidelines and codes of practice) are voluntary in nature but they are referenced in the World Trade Organization Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO-SPS Agreement) as the benchmark standards in the event of a trade dispute. They are also an invaluable source of science-based standards readily available for countries to use to enhance food safety. 

Effective engagement in the work of Codex is important for all countries to ensure that Codex texts take account of global, regional and national needs, perspectives and data. Member countries are therefore encouraged to actively participate and contribute to the standards setting process of Codex and a broad range of issues.  In order to effectively participate in Codex work, it requires national Codex structures to be in place, with, among others, clear mechanisms and processes to manage national codex activities at national level.  

Recognizing the importance of Codex, Malawi became a member of CAC in 1971, and the Government designated the Malawi Bureau of Standards as the Codex Contact Point (CCP) for Malawi. As required by the CAC, Malawi established a National Codex Committee (NCC) in 1997, as a means of enhancing the participation of the country in Codex work and the national consultation process on Codex matters. 

Members of the NCC for Malawi have limited knowledge on Codex procedures and functioning for effective participation in Codex related activities at national level. This in turn serves as a barrier to full and effective participation and engagement of Codex work in the country.  In order to address this gap, there is therefore need to train members of the NCC on Codex procedures and functioning for effective participation in Codex work.

In light of the above, the World Health Organization Malawi Country Office seeks to engage a national expert to train members of the NCC for Malawi on Codex procedures and functioning for effective participation in Codex work. 

Purpose:

The purpose of the consultancy is to train members of the NCC for Malawi on Codex procedures and functioning for effective participation in Codex work. 

Tasks to be undertaken 

Under the supervision of the CCP and the overall technical guidance of the World Health Organization-Malawi Country Office, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: 

·         Prepare, in consultation with the CCP and the World Health Organization Malawi Country Office, a programme of a 3-day training workshop and training    materials;

•            Train members of the NCC for 3 days on Codex procedures and functioning for effective participation in Codex work; and
•             Prepare and submit a technical report of the assignment.

Deliverables

•       Training materials including proposed programme;
•       Training of members of the NCC on Codex procedures and functioning; and
•       Technical report of the assignment. 

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Master’s degree in Public Health or Human Nutrition or any related field. 

Desirable: Training in Food Safety, Food Science, Food Technology

Experience:

Essential:  At least 5 years work experience in training food safety professionals in Codex Alimentarius work. 

Desirable: Work experience with WHO or other UN agencies or international public health organizations

Skills/Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of the functioning and operational procedures of the Codex  Alimentarius Commission and its subsidiary bodies; 
• Knowledge in the operations of a CCP and NCC; 
• Knowledge of Codex work at international level;
• Excellent facilitation and training skills; and
• Excellent report writing skills.

Languages and level required

Good command of both written and spoken English.