Food Safety and Quality Officer

The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) 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. RLC 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. RLC 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 Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC), in Santiago, Chile.

Reporting Lines:

• The Food Safety and Quality Officer reports to the Senior Policy Officer for Food Security and Nutrition in RLC.

Technical Focus:

• Effective and efficient management of food safety and official food control measures to improve food safety at national, regional and global levels.

Key Functions:

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks  and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance; provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices as well as technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes international cooperation, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue, and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.
• Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue, and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in chemistry, biochemistry, food science, food technology, microbiology or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in safety/risk assessment in food (microbiological and/or chemical).
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and Spanish.

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402555