Food Safety and Quality Officer

Organizational Setting
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 Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of programmes, projects, products and services with regard to food safety/food controls in accordance with the Regional Office’s objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

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.

Specific Functions
• Guides and supports the formulation and implementation of national and regional projects aiming at strengthening food safety and food control systems (or parts thereof, such as for example, strengthening capacities in relation to Codex Alimentarius processes, use of the risk analysis paradigm, and in particular, of risk assessment, development of risk-based food control policies, strategies and programmes, etc.) in the framework of FAO’s programme of work and country needs, including regional and global policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops training materials and technical guidance documents related to official food control and food safety, implements the related training programmes and collaborates in providing technical backstopping to capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations.
• Analyses country specific requirements in the area of food safety and food control policies to provide input into the FAO Programme of work, Divisional work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing mobilization efforts in line with the FAO Strategic Priorities for Food Safety.
• Provides technical and policy advice to Decentralized Offices in the development and implementation of projects aiming at strengthening food control systems and food safety policies.
• Supports partnerships with non-governmental stakeholders, donors and organizations, including private sector and civil society organizations, around specific food safety and food control issues.
• Maintains close collaboration with other FAO units at headquarters, regional, subregional and national offices as well as with relevant national and international institutions.

 

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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.

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.
• Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of official food control/food safety systems, including policy and regulatory matters, as well as implementation of official food control measures.
• Extent and relevance of experience in undertaking analyses and assessments for food safety, food control and related issues.
• Extent and relevance of experience in relation to the use, occurrence and analysis of chemicals in food and associated food safety risks.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical and policy advice in relation to national and regional policy making processes, strengthening regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to Food Safety, enhancing the use of Codex Alimentarius standards in support of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and other trade considerations, using the risk analysis framework (and its risk assessment component), and related matters
• Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition.
• Ability to mobilize resources and to deliver against deadlines.