Food Safety and Quality Officer - FAO

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices, Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities.

RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies.

RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) in Accra, Ghana.

Reporting Lines

The Food Safety and Quality Officer reports to the Senior Food and Nutrition Officer, RAF.

Technical Focus

• Effective and efficient management of food safety and official food control measures is essential for strengthening food systems at both national and regional levels.
• This encompasses the development, implementation, and continuous enforcement of science-based regulatory frameworks and risk management strategies, as well as the promotion of good food safety, hygienic and manufacturing practices along the entire value chain, in full alignment with Codex Alimentarius standards.
• Recognizing the diverse and evolving needs of the region, the Food Safety and Quality Officer's remit will extend beyond conventional regulatory functions to include capacity-building activities focused on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, active engagement with the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and support for trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
• Additionally, the role will explore complementary approaches such as enhancing informal market oversight, advancing consumer awareness, strengthening emergency response preparedness, and integrating food safety with nutrition and One Health initiatives to ensure inclusive, context-sensitive, and holistic systems that respond effectively to regional challenges.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products, and services.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as inputs for technical documents and web pages.
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other divisions/offices and agencies on work groups and committees, and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Supports the assessment of national food control systems as a basis to address the capacity development needs in a strategic manner.
• Contributes to, and supports the formulation and implementation of national and regional projects aimed at strengthening the uptake of good food safety practices by stakeholders along value chains, based on Codex Alimentarius standards, and food control systems (or parts thereof, such as strengthening capacities in relation to Codex Alimentarius processes, development of risk based food control policies, strategies and programmes, etc.), and enhancing the capacities of its different stakeholders to fulfill their responsibilities, in the framework of FAO's programme of work and country needs.
• Implements the training programmes related to food safety and collaborates in providing technical backstopping to capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Members.
• Supports provision of technical assistance to Member Nations with regard to their capacities to implement the food safety provisions of SPS related trade agreements especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocols.
• Analyses country specific requirements in the area of food safety and food control policies in order to input into the FAO Programme of Work, and resource mobilization efforts in line with the FAO Strategic Priorities for Food Safety.
• Supports partnerships with non-government stakeholders, in particular civil society organizations, donors and organizations, including those of the private sector, around specific food safety issues.
• Collaborates closely with other FAO units in the African Union, Regional, Subregional and Country Offices, as well as with relevant national and international institutions.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in chemistry, biochemistry, food science, food technology, pharmacology/toxicology, veterinary, public health, food microbiology, or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in advising on managing and implementing food safety programmes and in public sector policies for food control.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in food safety and quality management, including the development and implementation of quality management systems (e.g. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards) as well as food 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 food systems.
• Extent and relevance of work experience in food safety, quality, and agrifood systems, including the Codex Alimentarius and the Sustainable Development Goals (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.
• Experience with project formulation, resource mobilization, sound resource management support, operations and capacity to deliver against deadlines.
• Work experience in the Africa region is an advantage.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks effectively.

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