The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in October 1945 with the objective of eliminating hunger, improving nutrition and standards of living by increasing agricultural productivity. FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. Accordingly, FAO complements the efforts of governments and technical agencies in programs for developing agriculture, forestry, fisheries, land and water resources. It also carries out research; provides technical assistance on projects in individual countries; operates educational programs through seminars and training centres; maintains information and support services, including keeping statistics on world production, trade, and consumption of agricultural commodities; and publishes a number of periodicals, yearbooks, and research bulletins.

FAO has more than 180 member states with offices throughout the world. Through the Botswana Office, FAO is collaborating with the Ministry of Health, through Department of Public Health, to implement a national project on Development of Food Safety and Food Control Strategy. Food safety is essential for protecting public health, promoting economic development, and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food for all citizens. A Technical working group has been mobilized and it managed to approve the inception report for development of the strategy. With all the necessary information collected, the next phase is to formulate appropriate strategy. Therefore, the International Food Safety expert will support a process to develop a comprehensive Food Safety and Food Control Strategy for Botswana.

Reporting Lines

The International Food Safety Specialist will work under the overall managerial and operational guidance of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Botswana, with technical supervision of a Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of the project at the sub-regional office for Southern Africa and Ministry of Health and support from a Technical Officer based in Regional Office for Africa in Ghana and FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy as well as guidance from the National Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

Development of Food Safety and Food Control Strategy for Botswana based on relevant global, continental, and national policy and legal instruments, FAO guidelines and other established methodologies.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Situational analysis: Conduct a comprehensive analysis: Gather and the current food safety situation in Botswana, including foodborne illness data, existing food control systems, and stakeholder perspectives. (3) Review and analyze relevant information on the food production, food environments sector, policies, strategies, legal and regulatory framework to build an understanding of the status.
• Benchmarking: conduct desk review of relevant global, continental, and national policy and legal instruments, FAO and WHO guidelines, and established methodologies for food safety control.
• SWOT analysis: Conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) in aspect of food control and safety act in the country.
• Risk assessment: Identify and prioritize key food safety risks based on local data, key stakeholder consultations and international standards
• Inception workshop: Develop an inception report, Working together with a national consultant,
• Stakeholder consultations: Working together with a national consultant, support consultations with key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry representatives, consumer groups, academia, and development partners.
• situational analysis report: With the guidance of data gathered from the stakeholder consultations, inception report and literature develop a situational analysis report and present to the TWG, LTO, FAO & Government officials for comments and approval.
• Develop the Food control and safety strategy with clear and measurable goals, objectives, and key activities and interventions for improving food safety across the entire food chain, from production to consumption.
• Identify and recommend specific actions for strengthening the regulatory framework for food safety.
• Development of the strategy Action and, Monitoring & Evaluation plan and stakeholder engagement plan.
• Align the Food safety and control strategy with the Agenda 2036, Sustainable Development Goals, the Botswana National Development Plan, continental, and national policy and legal instruments, FAO guidelines, and best practices.
• strategy Validation: Share the draft strategy together with the Action and monitoring tools amongst the project team and incorporate their feedback into the document. Present documents to technical working group and the stakeholders for validation. Address any further comments and feedback received.
• Present the laid-out document for FAO to handover MoH approval and signing processes.
• Handover to MoH: Once finalized, present the Strategy documents to FAO for document layout and design and handover to the Ministry of Health (MoH) for approval and signing processes.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Food Safety, food science, public health or related field.
• At least five years of relevant experience in Food Safety and Food Control
• Working knowledge of English with good writing and communication skills.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus.
• Teamwork.
• Communication.
• Building Effective Relationships.
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement.

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in organizing participatory processes and contribution to processes related to program development through engagement of a wide range of stakeholders from the government, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
• Experience with development of policies particularly on food safety.
• Specific professional experience with food and nutrition-based projects is required.
• Strong understanding of relevant global, continental, and national food safety policies and regulations.
• Experience with projects in Africa preferably in Botswana or similar contexts is desired.
• Excellent English writing skills and consolidating complex information.
• Experience with UN projects is desired.
• Good analytical, presentation and training skills.
• Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time.

Call For Expressions Of Interest – Vacancy Announcement

Job Posting

08/Aug/2024

Closure Date

22/Aug/2024, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

FRBOT – FAO Representation in Botswana

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Home-Based

Duration

50 Days WAE

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality