Food Standards Officer

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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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 persons 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

Organizational Setting

The Secretariat of the Joint FAO/World Health Organization (WHO) Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), which is the executive organ of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, is located in the Joint FAO/WHO Centre (Codex Food Standards and Zoonotic diseases) in FAO headquarters. The Secretariat is under the programmatic responsibility of the relevant Deputy Director-General and Assistant Director-General of FAO and WHO respectively, while administratively under the supervision of the FAO Deputy Director-General of the Natural Resources and Sustainable Production Stream.

The Secretariat is administered in accordance with the rules and regulations of FAO. It services the sessions of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies and acts as liaison between the Commission and interested sectors of FAO and WHO as well as the World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations and other international governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with the safety, quality and trade aspects of food standards.

The position is located in the Joint FAO/WHO Centre (CJWC) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Food Standards Officer reports to the Secretary, Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Technical Focus

The Food Standards Officer is responsible for: the effective and efficient, planning, preparation, implementation and follow-up of the work of specific subsidiary bodies of the Codex Alimentarius Commission to develop 'food safety and quality standards for the protection of consumers' health and ensuring fair practices in food trade and in line with the Codex Strategic Plan and; for related supporting activities, relations and partnerships.

Key Results

Administration and execution of scientific and technical aspects of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme within the Secretariat, Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Key Functions

• Leads the Codex Secretariat team (first officer) or supports the first officer (second officer) of various Codex general subject, commodity and/or regional subsidiary bodies of the Commission, including the preparation of agendas, technical and other working documents and reports of the session.

• Monitors progress of the work of the Commission, including the progress of standards development and the implementation of the Codex Strategic Plan.

• Prepares the final standards drafted by subsidiary bodies for publication following their adoption by the Commission, and in line with initiatives to improve usability and accessibility.

• Prepares technical papers and reports for the Commission and its Executive Committee in collaboration with the senior Food Standards Officer.

• Represents the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme at meetings of other bodies or organizations engaged in relevant international standards setting and related work.

• Participates in the work of international expert bodies convened by FAO and WHO to provide scientific or technical advice to the Commission.

• Oversees and advises on the review of applications for observer status of international organizations in Codex and the related regular review.

• Provides technical advice, on request by governments or other interested parties, and information concerning food standards and related matters.

• Contributes to the ongoing improvement of the policy and procedures followed by Codex.

Specific Functions

• Leads the Codex Secretariat team for at least three Codex subsidiary bodies ensuring all planning, preparation, implementation and follow-up activities are implemented in line with procedural requirements, including undertaking periodic review of the work of the subsidiary body and advising on issues such as strategic direction, identifying challenges and proposing solutions.

• Works closely with other Food Standards Officers and team members in particular to support the work of other subsidiary bodies and in particular facilitate exchange of information between different subsidiary bodies and ensure consistency of approach.

• Liaises with the Secretariats of the relevant FAO/WHO scientific advice bodies to ensure clear communication between the scientific bodies and the Codex subsidiary bodies on both requests and results and support related work planning.

• Acts as focal point and coordinates and leads engagement of the Codex Secretariat in specific FAO and WHO initiatives as well as specific external organizations.

• Supports the development and dissemination of information for delegates, through different activities from training initiatives to handbook development.

• Contributes to the communication activities associated with the standard setting areas they lead, including undertaking interviews and giving presentations, reviewing and clearing related news items, participating in outreach and training events contributing articles to the annual CODEX magazine as well as external publications.

• Performs other duties, as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in food science, public health, biological sciences, veterinary medicine, agriculture science, nutrition or a related field.

• Seven years of relevant experience in the development and application of food standards and food control programmes at national, regional or global level.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Team Work

• Communication

• Building effective relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the development and application of food standards and food control programmes, in relation to food safety and quality, at national, regional or global level.

• Extent of overall understanding of the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and demonstrated technical knowledge in one of more of the areas covered by Codex food safety and quality standards.

• Extent and relevance of experience in analysing technical information and challenges, preparing clear reports and providing solutions and options for progress.

• Extent of experience in organizing and coordinating meetings, especially at global or regional level.

• Experience in intergovernmental and/or cross-sectoral negotiations and multilateral fora related to food safety and trade.

• Diplomatic and effective collaboration and communication skills for diverse contexts.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• 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.

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