Seafood safety lab analysis specialist

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Department promotes policies and strategies aiming at the sustainable and responsible development of fisheries and aquaculture in inland and marine waters. For this purpose, the Department provides discussion fora, information, legal and policy frameworks, codes and guidelines, options for strategies, scientific advice, and training material, among others. The Product, Trade and Marketing Branch (FIAM) promotes the improvement of the efficiency of all operations which take place between fish harvesting (captured or farmed fish) and consumption, ensuring an efficient, inclusive and sustainable utilization of fisheries and aquaculture resources. The Branch acts as the Secretariat for the COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade and it assists Members to optimize utilization of captured and cultured fish to extract maximum economic, as well as nutritional value from fisheries and aquaculture resources, including small-scale operators. It also monitors, provides, analyses and reports on development and trends in international fish post-harvest activities, markets and trade to support the transparent and equitable distribution of the derived benefits among Members and stakeholders. Through GLOBEFISH, a specific unit responsible for information and analysis on international fish trade and markets, FIAM collects, assesses, analyses and disseminates up-to-date fish marketing and trade information worldwide, which is shared through key publications and on the GLOBEFISH website.

International consultants represent an important source of expertise for FAO, making their specialist contributions across the globe towards the achievement of the Organization’s strategic objectives. For FAO to be able to attract and employ the best possible experts in the wide range of technical areas of its mandate, a competitive selection process has been introduced. This process is intended to create a pool of candidates which can be called upon when their expertise is required, ensuring a transparent and rigorous selection process.

Reporting Lines

The international consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Branch Head of the Products, Trade and Marketing Branch (FIAM) and direct supervision of Food Safety and Quality Officer from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department.

Strengthen local, national food systems within the fisheries and aquaculture sector in different developing countries through technical and policy support targeted to enhancing food system governance.

The tasks and responsibilities of each selected Consultant will be defined in the Terms of Reference for the specific assignment.

In general, depending on the specific assignment, designated tasks and responsibilities will normally include a number of the following elements\:

1. Carry out a scoping missions were the assessment of the laboratory capacities (biochemistry and microbiology) will be carried out;
2. Prepare the training material and curriculum for the food safety testing training for fishery products;
3. Deliver lectures and provide hands on training on the following topics\:
1. Relevant regulations
2. Testing protocols
3. Proficiency testing and internationally agreed standards
4. Sampling preparation protocols
5. Validation and verification of sampling methods
6. Assessment of findings
7. Microbiological and parasites analysis
8. Chemicals and toxins testing
9. DNA testing for fish fraud
4. Support for development of quality manuals, protocols or procedures if needed.

• University degree in food safety, microbiology, chemistry or related field
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in microbiological, chemical and DNA testing
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other official languages of the Organization (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Ability to work independently
• Strong writing skills in English