Consultancy: Expert advice on appropriate criteria and limits for contaminants in Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods, UNICEF Supply Division Copenhagen

To support UNICEFs contribution to the CODEX RUTF eWG work to define RUTFs in terms of appropriate criteria and limits for relevant chemical contaminants (e.g. heavy metals, mycotoxins)

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Consultancy title: Expert advice on appropriate criteria and limits for contaminants in Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods, UNICEF Supply Division Copenhagen

LOCATION/DURATION:
Duration:  20 working days over a 60 calendar day period

Location:  The consultancy work can be undertaken within UNICEF Supply Division or offsite as mutually agreed.

Start Date: September/October, 2017 (TBC)

Reporting to: Alison Fleet, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen

BACKGROUND:
UNICEF, in collaboration with Key partners, is facilitating the development of Codex Standards for Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF). Codex Alimentarius has set up an electronic working group (eWG) to clearly define RUTFs in terms of:
1. Its composition and safety aspects related to suitable ingredients,
2. The nutritional composition as outlined in the 2007 Joint Statement by WHO, WFP, UNSCN and UNICEF,
3. Appropriate criteria and limits for relevant microbiological hazards and chemical contaminants (e.g. heavy metals, mycotoxins and pesticides) and,
4. Labelling requirements respectively in order to provide protection to vulnerable consumers of RUTF.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE
To support UNICEFs contribution to the CODEX RUTF eWG work to define RUTFs in terms of appropriate criteria and limits for relevant chemical contaminants  (e.g. heavy metals, mycotoxins)

Specific objectives
1. To provide expert advice on possible contaminants to be considered in the elaboration of the RUTF Codex Guideline.
2. To provide expert advice on contaminants that should be controlled, with recommended limits for the identified contaminant(s) for the target group receiving RUTF.

The consultant’s report will be shared with the chair and co-chairs of the eWg to inform the eWg’s deliberations on whether defining the contaminant risk needs to be referred to the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) or Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)   

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

1. Develop a methodology  for collecting, synthesizing information and use the methodology to identify and document possible contaminants that could be present in RUTF ingredients and RUTF as a finished product
2. Compile Codex standards and references that could be relevant for the RUTF guideline
3. Identify and document gaps and limitations of Codex standards references with respect to RUTF and its target group.
4. Using relevant Codex references, make recommendations on possible contaminants to be considered in the elaboration of the RUTF Codex Guideline.
5. Provide expert advice on contaminants that should be controlled, with recommended limits for the identified contaminant(s).

KEY DELIVERABLES:
Key Deliverables Duration
(Estimated # of days) Deadline
Methodology  for collecting and synthesizing information agreed with UNICEF 2 
1st report documenting possible contaminants that could be present in RUTF ingredients and RUTF as a finished product  7 
2nd Report stage adding
1. Compilation of appropriate Codex standards and references that could be relevant for the CODEX RUTF guideline
2. Gaps and limitations of Codex standards and references with respect to for RUTF and its target group. 5 
3rd report stage adding
1. Recommendation on possible contaminants to be considered in the elaboration of the RUTF Codex Guideline
2. Expert advice on contaminants that should be controlled, with recommended limits for the identified contaminant(s). 3 
Final consultancy report and a Powerpoint slide deck to present the process and outcome of the consultancy -approved by UNICEF 3 
TOTAL 20 days 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
Advanced university degree in one or more of the following areas: Food Technology, Nutrition, Toxicology or other relevant discipline.

Work Experience:
7-10 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the area of food safety, toxicology, food science or related field. Specific expertise in contaminants is highly desirable.  A combination of suitable qualifications at an undergraduate level together with demonstrated expertise in the previously mentioned fields of professional work will also be accepted.

Technical Competencies and Expertise:
• Knowledge of Codex standards, product specifications development, food safety issues and risks management.
• Ability to critically analyze information such as product quality test reports and peer review literature
• Knowledge and understanding of Community based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) programs is an added advantage.

Competencies:
1)   Core Values
• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity
2)  Core Competencies
• Communication 
• Drive for Result
• Working with People
3)  Key Functional Competencies
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Analyzing
• Relating and Networking
• Deciding and Initiating Actions
• Planning and Organizing

Language:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
Fluency in another UN language e.g French is an asset.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:
1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote at a daily rate in US Dollars (please refer to point 11 in the Terms and Conditions below)
3. CV.
4. At least one example of previous, relevant work.
5. Brief proposal on how to accomplish the consultancy.
6. At least 2 References

Applications should be submitted online through www.unicef.org/about/employ by 7 September, 2017 5:00pm CET. Vacancy ref. number 506676.

General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal Status
The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractor (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representative of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations.  The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946 (“the Convention”).  The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Expert on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and if the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

2. Obligations
The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.
The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract shall neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF.  During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF.  The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract. 
In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor  (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b)  will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. 
Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations.  The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.

3. Title rights
UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract.  At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.

4. Travel
If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract. In cases where travel costs have not been set in the contract, travel may either be organized by UNICEF or reimbursed upon submission of receipts within ten (10) days of completion of a specific travel on the following basis:
(a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route, provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis. 
 
(b) UNICEF will pay for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel, up to an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

5. Statement of good health
Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement.  In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be incurred in relation to the statement of good health. 

6. Insurance
The Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above.  The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.  The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

7. Service incurred death, injury or illness
If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling  with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expenses in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval.  Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Consultants and Individual Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

8. Arbitration
(a) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties. 

(b) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter.  If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties.  Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel.  The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute. 

9. Penalties for Underperformance
Payment of fees to the Contractor under this contract, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect. 

10. Termination of Contract
This contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party.  The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor)  in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice.  If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor.  Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph.

11. Taxation
UNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract.  Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor.

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