Technical Specialist (Food Control Systems) – SB-4

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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 Members 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 FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The main aim of the FAO Representation in Cambodia is to assist government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project supports the Royal Government of Cambodia in moving forward with food systems transformations according to the general guidelines of the Roadmap for Food Systems for Sustainable Development 2030, focusing on specific areas that are identified and designated as game changing for food systems transformation. The project focuses on food system transformation for sustainable development through stronger policy guidelines, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and advocacy for sustainable food systems in Cambodia by working with all stakeholders including at sub-national level, the private sector and consumers through multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder platforms to support dialogue, design, and coordination and reporting.

Reporting Lines

The Technical Specialist on Food Control Systems reports directly to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) of the FAO Representation in Cambodia under the technical oversight of the Lead Technical Officer in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) and the Food Control Specialist/officer of HQ in cooperation with the International Programme Specialist in Food Security and Food Systems. Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Cambodia, and in close collaboration with international and national specialists, government counterparts, and other technical specialists, the incumbent will perform the tasks listed below.

Technical Focus

The Technical Specialist on Food Control Systems will review the current status of work underway and support a multi-sectoral process to advance food control and food safety policy in the country, engaging with relevant stakeholders including all Competent Authorities (CAs), the existing inter-ministerial committees, the Codex Committee, Technical Working Groups, the private sector, development partners and consumer representatives to engage in a fully consultative and inclusive policy process.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Technical Food Control Systems Specialist will:

1. Conduct both desk and stakeholder review and consultations on the current status of work underway on food control and food safety policy in Cambodia as an update to the recent work carried out for the Qualitative Analysis of the Food Control System in Cambodia.

• Identify key stakeholders from all competent authorities, the existing inter-ministerial committees, the Codex Committee, and Technical Working Groups, the private sector, development partners and consumer representatives for the consultation purpose;
• Develop timelines and milestones for project activities and support participation of relevant stakeholders in the process;
• Assist in preparing a draft food safety and quality policy; and
• Conduct a consultation workshop to finalize the food safety and quality policy.

2. Organization of World Food Safety Day

• Support CARD in cooperation with all key stakeholders to organize the celebration of the World Food Safety in June 2023;
• Support to prepare a concept note and list of participants nationally and in selected provinces, including consideration of the needs and interests of women and youth, and the vulnerable for the event; and
• Coordinate and support to logistics and coordinate with CARD and key stakeholders to design, test and disseminate basic food safety messaging to serve their joint and specific needs for communications with key stakeholders (producers, processors, traders, schools, and consumers) for the event in particular and in the country as whole.

3. Perform other tasks as required in order to deliver the above tasks

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in, agro-industry, food safety, food technology, nutrition or other relevant fields
• At least five years of relevant experience
• Working knowledge of English and Khmer language
• National of Cambodia or a legal resident in the country

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Systemic and analytical capacity on complex issues related to the food control system and agri-food system transformation;
• Knowledge and experience of value chain development of agricultural products;
• Experience with food safety and food control systems, and climate change linkages, food waste; food safety and quality;
• Experience in organizing participatory processes and contribution to processes related to programme development through engagement of a wide range of stakeholders from the government, civil society, academia, and the private sector;
• Proven experience and capacity in coordinating and leading the discussions with senior government officials;
• Good analytical, presentation and training skills;
• Proficient in relevant computer applications such as word processing tools, spreadsheets and statistical package (MS Office-Word, Excel, STATA etc.);
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time; and Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player

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