Food Safety Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO country offices, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO in Pakistan focuses on Basic Social Services (Safe and Nutritious Food), Climate Change and the Environment, Sustainable Inclusive Economic Growth and Decent. FAO partners with the Government of Pakistan, Provincial Governments, Academia, Development Partners, Civil Society and NGOs to achieve its core objectives of food security and agriculture development through enhanced participation of marginalized and vulnerable communities focusing on gender equality in supporting Pakistan to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

The position is envisioned under Livelihood and Food Security Improvement Fund project on SB 4 SC 8 level and will be located in the FAO Representation Office at Islamabad.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of AFAOR Program, Food Safety Specialist will perform the tasks mentioned under section on tasks and responsibilities.

Technical Focus

Provide technical support on food safety, food safety policy and strategy development; institutional arrangements; programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture and institutions. FAO Pakistan seeks to engage a professional with a strong analytical and quantitative capacity to contribute in better policy making in Pakistan.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Act as focal person on food safety and quality related matter for the FAO Representation in Pakistan
• Coordinate the review of the national and provincial policies, regulations, institutional mechanisms and standards of food safety and quality to identify gaps and suggest improvement
• Support the assessment of the national food control system and collaborate with relevant stakeholders
• Provide support to the government partners for improvement of the food control system
• Support the development and implementation of necessary initiatives and programmes to improve the food control system.
• Provide support to the Codex Alimentarius related work at the country level in collaboration with UN agencies, and the government.
• Coordinate with ministries, departments, institutions involved in the management of food safety and standards.
• Conduct advocacy and knowledge events including World Food Safety Day, to promote food safety in connection with other initiatives, i.e. nutrition, in the country
• Provide support or lead the design and implementation of workshops for capacity development aimed at strengthening the national food control system, food safety risk identification, food safety emergency preparedness, response and analytical capacities.
• Develop the concept notes to mobilize resources and implementation of projects if assigned the role of project manager in line with corporate guidelines of the FAO.
• Build relationship with the stakeholders including government departments and agencies on food regulations.
• Develop food safety and food control training manuals for academic use, and on providing on job learning to the stakeholders.
• Provide overall support to the food control capacity development programmes, including monitoring and reporting activities.
• Perform any other related tasks assigned

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in the field of food science & technology, veterinary science, crop science, public health or relevant disciplines, with a specialization in food safety.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in one or more areas related to food and nutrition with a strong focus on food safety, food control management and related programmes, policies and project activities.
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Pakistan

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of the country and stakeholders
• Experience in facilitating national food safety and food and nutrition initiatives.
• Proven capacity in networking sensitively, cooperatively and productively with multiple stakeholders
• Knowledge of Codex Alimentarius, food safety, food control system and food and nutrition policies
• Experienced in conducting literature reviews of academic publications, research reports, etc.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Functional Skills

• Knowledge of United Nations and International Organizations’ administrative policies and procedures.
• Excellent drafting skills and analytical mind
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research
• Demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English
• Excellent interpersonal skills and to work in a team-oriented multi-cultural environment
• Willingness to travel
• Ability to work independently, with initiative and minimal supervision
• Good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards
• Display initiative and take responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and closely follow-up until successful outputs are achieved.
• Continue to seek new, innovative and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work assigned.
• Identify and recommend remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION