World Food Programme (WFP) – Food Safety Quality Associate.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) seeks individuals of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance

Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply

WFP is currently seeking to fill the position of Food Safety and Quality  Associate G6

JOB PURPOSE

1. Act as resource person for technical expertise on food safety & quality issues and to monitor performance of suppliers. 
2. Assist Procurement and Logistics staff in dealing with food safety and quality issues, including supplier assessments, guidance on food standards application as well as guidance on food inspection and interpretation of laboratory test results 
3. Provide technical expertise in dealing with poor performance and in monitoring of inspection companies 
4. Develop and support implementation of proactive and preventive approaches in preventing food safety and quality incidents as well as food losses
5. Provide Country Offices with technical support in food incidents management 
6. Act as a technical resource in integrating Food Safety and Quality into WFP operations and various programs e.g Nutrition (Food Fortification), School Feeding Program, Commodity Vouchers, Small Holder Farmers engagements etc.
7. Support CO in internal and external capacity strengthening initiatives

ABOUT WFP

WFP works to save lives and change lives through the provision of food assistance and resilience building programs. In line with SDGs 2 & 17, WFP operations have ventured into different modalities of food transfer and capacity strengthening to end hunger by 2030 and to revitalize global partnerships for sustainable development. Embracing new modalities and increasing the complexity of WFP’s food basket raises additional food safety and quality risks, particularly when serving the vulnerable populations in challenging emergency contexts. These initiatives and policies therefore require incorporation of food safety and quality from programme design up to delivery. Ensuring that the food

WFP provides to beneficiaries is safe and of proper quality is at its core. WFP’s Food Safety and Quality Unit is focused on embedding a culture of food safety and quality assurance across the organization, from program design across the supply chain to distribution. WFP aims to build trust by adhering to the highest food safety and quality standards and takes immediate action in the event of incidents related to the food that WFP provides. WFP benchmarks its Food Safety and Quality Management System against internationally recognized standards, CODEX Alimentarius, and local and international regulatory requirements. WFP undertakes continuous risk analysis, due diligence, and assurance of food safety and quality throughout its operations and supply chain that continues to enable WFP to respond with agility and speed to operational needs.   

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in food science and technology or other related degrees

Working Experience: At least 5 years of experience in food quality assurance in established manufacturing set ups.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written English. Intermediate knowledge of French would be an advantage.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

What you will do:

• Review and implement, through inspection companies, the monitoring, verification and validation protocols, in ensuring food procured by WFP and in-kind food meets the highest standards as stipulated in WFP specifications.
• Provide technical guidance on food inspections Request for Quotations, Expression of Interest for food processors, food procurement contracts and other programmatic strategies e.g Food fortification, School based programs etc. ensuring compliance to WFP FSQ requirements and other relevant standards.
• Guide implementation of protocols and tools relating to food technology issues, ensuring alignment with WFP’s relevant strategies, policies and plans.  
• In the event of food safety and quality incidents, support with reporting, investigation exercises and root cause analysis to enable lessons learnt to be documented and shared, to prevent/reduce re-occurrence of the incidents. 
• Collate and analyze data and contribute to the preparation of reports relating to food quality and safety, to inform risk management and mitigation and contribute to food safety and quality management systems improvement initiatives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES( cont)

• Participate in technical assessments of food suppliers and prepare Correction Action Preventive Action (CAPA) trackers to ensure that committed timelines for CAPA closure are adhered to and suppliers updated accordingly
• Support the capacity strengthening initiatives of WFP staff and partners for efficient and effective delivery of food assistance to beneficiaries (e.g. through the design and review of training materials).
• Identify and build productive relationships with supply chain colleagues and Program teams to support an integrated approach to food assistance.
• Responding to urgent Country Office needs and liaising with FSQAO/FT if need be where escalation is required
• Any other duty assigned from time to time.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

10th March 2022

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.