One Health Food Safety Specialist

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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 member nations, 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will 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

Organizational Setting

The Food Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF) of the Economic and Social Development Stream supports the strengthening and transformation of food systems, including the strengthening of food safety and quality at national, regional and international levels. Inter alia, this involves providing scientific advice on food safety issues, support to programmes of capacity development and facilitation of effective communication and access to information by all Member countries on food safety and quality issues. The Food Systems and Safety Division is a recognized global leader in the provision of scientific advice on food safety issues to support the establishment of international standards for the safety and quality of foods. Given the interdependencies between the health of animals, humans and the environment, ESF embraces a One Health approach to food safety.

Reporting Lines

The selected applicants will work within the Food Systems and Food Safety Division, under the direct supervision of the relevant Food Safety Officer and overall guidance by the Senior Food Safety Officer, assuming the role of Food Safety Consultant.

Technical Focus

This is a technical role where the incumbent is expected to be able to collect, assess, interpret, summarize and communicate information relevant to food safety risks (including antimicrobial resistance in food systems) and mitigation strategies across multiple scales of production, food commodities, and all stages of production, processing and distribution- from source to consumption.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical and analytical support of safety data collection in food systems, data evaluation and analysis using systematic approaches
• Research and analyse technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support of food safety communication efforts
• Collaborate in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases
• Collaborates with other individuals, technical departments, divisions, multi-disciplinary teams, and services addressing food safety in terrestrial and aquatic animal production and health, plant production, water and land quality and management, market practices, and environmental monitoring.
• Produce a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents
• Prepare reports, presentations, training materials, and other documents regarding the assessment and control of food safety threats
• Support the implementation of the FAO action Plan on AMR, in particular in relation to the development of capacity for surveillance and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial residues and antimicrobial use in the food and agriculture sector and the related environment.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• university degree in relevant field related to food safety such as food science, food toxicology, microbiology, analytical chemistry, agriculture, pharmacology, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, public health, law environmental science
• Five years of relevant experience in the analysis of food systems, laboratory research, research synthesis, food policy development or analysis, or microbiological or chemical analysis of food.
• Working knowledge of English and at least one of the other official UN languages preferred (Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese or Arabic). For PSA.SBS, the working knowledge of only one language will be sufficient.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills/Experience

• Extent and relevance of training, knowledge and experience related to One Health from a veterinary or food perspective, especially related to the potential entry of pathogens into the food chain from live animals
• Extent and relevance of experience in low and middle income countries
• Relevant experience facilitating networks, working groups and partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex issues and extract key information
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable
• Demonstrated ability to collect and summarize large amounts of data quickly and effectively
• Strategic and forward thinking

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience related to One Health approaches to combating AMR
• Demonstrated track record of project delivery and providing effective technical support
• Ability to work against tight timelines
• Experience in working with government agencies and academic institutions
• Extent and relevance of international experience, including in low-and middle income countries.

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