Food Control Policy Expert

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, promoting efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, nutrition, environment, and livelihoods, leaving no one behind. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice, technical assistance, and core services in FAO’s mandated areas. They implement country-specific priorities outlined in their Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), ensuring efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Eritrea practices a traditional food control system, which relies on end-product inspection rather than structured risk analysis. Responsibility is split among several government institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Marine Resources, Ministry of Trade and Industry/Eritrean Standard Institution, and Ministry of Health, with no formal national food policy guiding coordination. The existing system suffers from fragmentation, weak enforcement, and regulatory gaps, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses, unsafe imports, and reduced consumer confidence.
This assignment aims to develop a National Food Control Policy (NFCP) for Eritrea, establishing a comprehensive, integrated approach across the food supply chain production, processing, distribution, import/export, and retail. The NFCP will align with international standards while considering Eritrea’s socio-economic context and legislative landscape, ultimately supporting public health, trade opportunities, and sustainable production practices.

Reporting Lines

The Food Control Policy Expert will report overall to the FAO Representative to Eritrea and directly to the FAO Food Security and Safety Officer, in coordination with the Assistant FAOR/Programme and the Legal Officer (LEGN). Close collaboration will be maintained with the Regulatory Services Department (RSD) of the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Codex Contact Point.

Technical Focus

• Assessing the existing food control system, including infrastructure, legislation, regulatory capacity, and enforcement across Eritrea’s food supply chain.
• Developing a comprehensive NFCP aligned with international best practices, addressing gaps, strengthening stakeholder coordination, and improving food safety governance.
• Designing a policy implementation plan with monitoring and compliance mechanisms.
• Facilitating participatory approaches, including stakeholder consultations, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives.

Tasks and responsibilities

Phase I\: Diagnostic Assessment & Gap Analysis

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of food control infrastructure, regulatory capacity, and enforcement mechanisms across the supply chain.
• Review national laws, regulations, standards, and previous National Food Control Assessments (e.g., 2025 report).
• Conduct quantitative analyses of\:
o Foodborne illness trends using epidemiological data
o Import/export volumes of key commodities and associated risks
o Production levels of key agricultural and fisheries products
o Market infrastructure (wholesale, storage, transport)
• Prepare a detailed SWOT analysis of Eritrea’s food control system.

Phase II\: Policy Framework Development & Design

• Develop a draft NFCP, including\:
o Policy Statement of Intent (vision, goals)
o Scope & Coverage (production, processing, distribution, import/export, retail)
o Key Principles & Objectives (HACCP, risk-based approach, food fraud prevention, traceability)
o Regulatory framework, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, enforcement, and public education
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and workshops to gather feedback and validate the NFCP.
• Develop training programs and finalize the NFCP with an implementation plan.
• Provide advice to the Government on laws and regulations aligned with the NFCP.
• Prepare a summary report with key recommendations for official adoption, including mechanisms for monitoring policy effectiveness and compliance.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Food Science, Public Health, Policy Development, or a related field, providing a solid foundation in food systems, public health, and policy formulation. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in food policy development, food safety, or supply chain management, with a proven track record of successfully implemented projects.
• Full proficiency in English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Experience in conducting assessments, gap analyses, and developing policy frameworks within multi-sectoral environments.
• Strong understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks related to food control systems.
• Ability to navigate complex compliance issues and provide practical, actionable recommendations to government authorities.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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