Food Safety And Quality Officer

• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply for this position
• FAO does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with centres, divisions and offices at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies RNE develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The post is located in Cairo, Egypt.

The Food Safety and Quality Officer reports to the Delivery Manager of the Regional Initiative on Small Scale Family Farming. The Food Safety and Quality Officer works within the framework of three RNE Regional Initiatives, in close collaboration with the Regional Agribusiness and Value Chain Officer, the Food Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF) and other relevant units in FAO.

Contribute to regional initiatives and provides support to Members on food safety and quality, standards, and certification.

Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products, and services.

• Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services;

• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages;

• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects;

• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases;

• Participates on multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices;

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools;

• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations;

• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.

• Provides technical support to the implementation of the FAORNE programme in relation to food safety and quality, food labelling, mandatory and voluntary standards and certification;

• Provides technical contributions to Codex Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNEA);

• Contributes to the FAO/WHO joint scientific advice programmes in particular regarding food safety risk assessments;

• Provides technical guidance on strengthening food safety risk assessment processes in microbiological, chemical or other risk disciplines, as well as use of the risk analysis framework by food control authorities;

• Contributes to the implementation of food safety risk management and to the strengthening of food safety and quality surveillance and information systems along the value chains, including related to food additives, residues of pesticides, veterinary drugs and other contaminants in foods;

• Contributes to the development of national and regional research and capacity building for food safety and quality, including strengthening producers' capacity for enhanced food safety and access to markets with mandatory standards (food safety) and voluntary certification (Geographical indications, organic agriculture, fair trade, etc.);

• Provides technical support and backstopping to field projects and programmes in the field of food safety and quality, mandatory and voluntary standards and certification;

• Organizes regional knowledge exchange, networking and partnership building to advance thinking and innovation in the field of food safety and quality;

• Contributes to the preparation of strategies and resource mobilization efforts for the development and implementation of regional food safety and quality programmes.

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• Advanced university degree in chemistry, biochemistry, food science, food technology, pharmacology/toxicology, or a related field including agro-industries or agricultural economics.

• Five years of relevant experience in safety/risk assessment of chemicals in food, and or development of food quality standards

• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

• Results Focus

• Team Work

• Communication

• Building effective relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

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

• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in food safety and quality assessment.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the use, occurrence and analysis of chemicals in food and associated food safety risks including three years in leading such work at national, regional or international level

• Depth of familiarity with relevant certification schemes, and extent and relevance of experience with Codex Alimentarius and National Food Safety Systems.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of programmes for sustainability improvement in the agriculture sector;

• Ability to analyse complex food safety and quality assessment - issues from a technical and policy point of view

• Working knowledge of Arabic and French is a strong asset