| Job Description - International Consultant - Food Safety, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (2604003)
International Consultant - Food Safety, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office-(2604003)Contractual Arrangement:External consultantContract Duration (Years, Months, Days):6 months## Job Posting:Sep 24, 2026, 4:26:43 AM## Closing Date:Oct 8, 2026, 5:59:00 PM## Primary Location:Philippines-Manila## Organization:WP/DPC Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control## Schedule:Full-timeIMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings...## Purpose of the ConsultancyThe purpose of this consultancy is to assist the Food Safety team in the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022–2030 in the Western Pacific Region, particularly on addressing the burden of foodborne diseases and strengthening food safety systems, with a focus on country support and regional technical assistance. ## BackgroundEnsuring access to safe food is fundamental to protecting human health. Nevertheless, many countries in the Western Pacific Region continue to face challenges in preventing, detecting and managing food safety risks. According to the new WHO estimates of the burden of foodborne diseases, foodborne diseases caused an estimated 49.5 million illnesses and more than 367,000 deaths in the Region in 2021. In addition to their impact on health, foodborne diseases resulted in an estimated US$ 120 billion in productivity losses. Yet much of this burden is preventable through effective and sustained action across food systems.The WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022–2030 provides the overarching framework for action. Structured around five interlinked strategic priorities, the Strategy sets out a global vision in which all people, everywhere, consume safe and healthy food. It guides efforts to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases by strengthening national food safety systems, promoting the use of evidence and risk-based approaches, fostering multisectoral collaboration and enhancing international cooperation.The recent WHO estimates indicate that sustained food safety action can deliver measurable public health gains: the burden of foodborne diseases in the Western Pacific Region declined from 13.4 million healthy life years lost in 2000 to 9.4 million in 2021. However, further progress is needed to sustain these gains and advance towards the global targets for reducing the burden of foodborne diseases. Food safety systems across the Region are at different stages of development, and countries vary in their capacities, resources and priorities. Regional and country support must therefore be tailored to national contexts and informed by the available evidence, while taking into account institutional capacity, political commitment, resource availability, opportunities for multisectoral action and public support. Additional technical capacity is needed to translate the Global Strategy and the new burden estimates into practical, country-oriented actions and products, while strengthening collaboration with WHO Collaborating Centres and other technical partners in the Region.## DeliverablesUnder the supervision of the Food Safety Technical Officer in the Nutrition and Food Safety (NFS) Unit, the consultant will provide targeted technical and analytical support to selected priority activities under the food safety workplan.  This support may include desk reviews; collection organization, and analysis of technical information and data; preparation of draft technical resources; and support to Member States, as agreed with the Responsible Officer. The consultant will liaise with relevant stakeholders, including other units and divisions within WPRO, WHO headquarters, country office counterparts and WHO Collaborating Centres.Output 1: Support implementation of the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022–2030 in the Western Pacific Region (January – July 2027)Deliverable 1.1: Provide technical support for the review and updating of national food safety policies, legislation and regulatory frameworks.Deliverable 1.2: Assist in conducting food safety assessments, including application of the WHO roadmap for implementation of the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety and the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool.Deliverable 1.3: Support the development and implementation of roadmaps and action plans for selected Member States to advance implementation of the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety.Deliverable 1.4: Contribute to the design and implementation of capacity-building activities related to food safety, including webinars, workshops and training sessions.Deliverable 1.5: Support the development of technical documents and other programme materials related to food safety, including briefing notes, reports, meeting documents, presentations and technical resources.Deliverable 1.6: Support monitoring of the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety indicators, including assessment of progress against the IHR-SPAR and JEE food safety indicators, identification of gaps, and development of recommendations to support achievement of regional and global targets.Output 2: Support analysis, interpretation, dissemination and use of the WHO Foodborne Disease Estimates 2000–2021 (January – July 2027)Deliverable 2.1: Analyse the WHO Foodborne Disease Estimates 2000–2021 for the Western Pacific region and develop a regional summary highlighting priority hazards and strategic actions to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases.Deliverable 2.2: Identify priority Member States for target support and assist in the interpretation and, application of country-level findings from the WHO Foodborne Disease Burden Estimates 2000-2021, including development of country profiles, promotion of the WHO Foodborne Disease Burden Dashboard, and recommendations to support national food safety actions.Deliverable 2.3: Draft technical resources on selected priority hazards, including summaries of the public health burden, prevention and control options, key messages and references to relevant WHO guidance and tools.Deliverable 2.4: Develop communication and advocacy materials related to the estimates and priority hazards, including fact sheets, web content, infographics, social media content, key messages and frequently asked questions, in coordination with relevant technical and communication colleagues.Deliverable 2.5: Support regional and country-focused webinars, briefings and technical discussions on interpretation and use of the estimates, including the preparation of presentations, background materials and summary reports.Output 3: Support collaboration with WHO Collaborating Centres and technical partners working on food safety in the Western Pacific Region (January – July 2027)Deliverable 3.1: Identify opportunities to leverage the expertise of WHO Collaborating Centres, in accordance with their approved workplans, to support implementation of the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety and activities related to priority foodborne hazards in the Western Pacific Region and propose one or two specific activities for implementation by the Centres, in accordance with their approved workplans.Deliverable 3.2: Support monitoring of WHO Collaborating Centres’ workplan implementation and develop recommendations to strengthen collaboration to enhance their contribution to regional food safety activities.Output 4: Contribute to ongoing food safety programme activities and cross-cutting technical products and efforts (January – July 2027)Deliverable 4.1: Contribute to activities supporting Member State engagement in Codex Alimentarius processes and related regional initiatives.Deliverable 4.2: Support the planning and implementation of meetings, workshops, webinars and technical consultations, including preparation of technical documents, presentations and meeting reports.Deliverable 4.3: Support the identification and implementation of collaborative activities between food safety and nutrition programmes.Deliverable 4.4: Undertake other tasks directly related to the deliverables above, within the Nutrition and Food Safety Unit, as specifically agreed in advance with the Responsible Officer.## Qualifications, experience, skills and languagesEducationEssential: Minimum of a first university degree in food safety, food science, food engineering, food technology, public health, or another relevant field.Desirable: Advanced university degree in food safety, food science, food technology, or another relevant field from a recognized university.Work ExperienceRequired: Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in food safety strategy and programmes and closely related technical area.Desirable: Experience working with Ministries of Health, national food safety authorities, WHO, other international organizations, research institutions or technical networks,Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:- Good understanding of the work of WHO and the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022–2030, and other related documents and guidance.- Broad knowledge of food safety systems, foodborne disease prevention and control, surveillance, policy and legislation, and multisectoral approaches.- Excellent research, data analysis, and technical writing skills.- Ability to coordinate with external partners, work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural contexts and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.- Advanced computer literacy, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Language requirements:Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.## LocationThis consultancy is expected to work on site, from the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila, Philippines.## TravelThe Consultant is expected to travel upon the request of the programme and progress of the project.## Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):Remuneration: USD 5,000 per monthLiving Allowance: USD 2,100 per month Expected duration of contract: 6 months full-time## Additional Information:•    This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.•    Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.•    A written test may be used as a form of screening.•    If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.•    For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.•    The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to  reasonableaccommodation@who.int •    An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.•    WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.•    WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.•    Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. •    WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.•    Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.•    In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.
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