Food Safety in Agrifood Systems 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 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger and achieve food security for all. The Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF) supports the development of sustainable agrifood systems, food safety, and quality at national, regional, and international levels. The Division works to align agrifood systems with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on reducing food loss and waste, improving food safety, and promoting sustainable investments across value chains.

Reporting Lines

The Food Safety in Agrifood Systems Specialist will report to the Director of ESF or a designated Food Safety Officer.

Technical Focus

The specialist will support the development of methodologies, tools, and normative products related to food safety, quality and related capacity building activities. The activities are to be carried out using FAO’s agrifood systems transformation approach. The role will involve providing technical assistance to member countries, with a focus on achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support knowledge exchange activities, networking, and partnerships within and outside FAO to in support of food safety and quality projects, and in line with FAO’s agrifood systems transformation approach.
• Assist in the development and implementation of field projects to deliver global public goods on food safety and quality and agrifood systems transformation at national and regional levels.
• Conduct analyses on technical and policy matters to inform decision-making on complex problems in food safety, quality, and agrifood systems.
• Prepare and edit technical documents and guidance on food safety, quality, and systems approaches to transformative change in agrifood systems.
• Support the organization of internal and external technical meetings, expert consultations, and workshops on food safety, quality, and agrifood systems transformation.
• Contribute to the Division’s communications and resource mobilization efforts related to food safety, quality, and agrifood systems.
• Provide technical support to member countries in developing and implementing national food safety and quality standards, including capacity building for stakeholders.
• Conduct diagnostic missions to assess food safety and quality aspects in agrifood systems.
• Develop and deliver training programs on food safety and quality management systems, and agrifood systems transformation for various stakeholders, including government agencies, producers, and processors.

FAO Standards and guidelines\:

• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including\:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31\: https\://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines\: https\://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines\: https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE\: https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology\: http\://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries\: https\://www.fao.org/nocs/en   
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s or advanced degree in Agronomy, Food Science, Food safety, agrifood systems, Agricultural Food Science and Technology, or a related field.
• A minimum of one to four years Category C and five to nine years for Category B of relevant experience in one of the following areas of work\: Food Science and Technology, Food Safety, quality management, and with a solid understanding of agrifood systems transformation.
• Working knowledge of English is a requirement

FAO Core Competencies

• 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
• Extent and relevance of experience in food safety and quality management, including the development and implementation of quality management systems (e.g., HACCP, ISO standards) as well as agrifood systems, including value chain development, food processing, and post-harvest management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in capacity building and training for stakeholders in food safety, quality, and agrifood systems.
• Familiarity with FAO’s work on food safety, quality, and agrifood systems, including the Codex Alimentarius and SDGs.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct diagnostic missions and provide technical assistance to improve food safety and quality in agrifood systems.
• Experience in research and writing on topics related to food safety, quality, and agrifood systems transformation.
• Proficiency in remote working tools (e.g., MS Teams, OneDrive, MS Office, Zoom).
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks effectively.

Selection Criteria

• Limited knowledge of one of another UN official language (French, Spanish Arabic, Chinese, Russian) would be considered an asset

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

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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