Food Technologist NOA (Food Safety & Quality Assurance) (178188)

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section)

BACKGROUND & JOB PURPOSE

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.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Across the region, supports the development, dissemination and implementation of corporate policies, guidelines and procedures on the WFP approach to food safety and quality matters, ensuring alignment with corporate, regional and country offices priorities.

2. Contribute towards the development and/or implementation of protocols and tools in integrating FSQ into the different WFP operations and programs, ensuring alignment with the existing policies and guidelines

3. Establish risk-based control measures and prepare evidence-based recommendations for Country Offices to combat and reduce food commodity losses and food quality and safety incidents.

4. Ensure that food procured for the region meets WFP specification or relevant national standards in the respective countries through establishment of robust supplier quality assurance systems.

5. Support the capacity strengthening interventions of WFP food suppliers, inspection companies, WFP staff, cooperating partners, government agencies etc. for efficient and effective delivery of food assistance to beneficiaries (e.g. through the design, review of training materials and actual training).

6.Identify and build productive relationships with supply chain, Program, Nutrition and other relevant units, to support an integrated approach to food assistance.

7. Keep current on emerging developments and cutting-edge research on the areas of food safety and quality and/or food product optimization to leverage the opportunities to incorporate industry best practices in the Supply Chain.

8. Collate and analyze relevant process data/information to inform risk management and mitigation and contribute to a WFP wide view of food technology activities as well as resourcing.

9. Guide and supervise junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with more complex analysis and queries.

10. Others as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Food Science and technology or other related fields, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: At least 1 year of relevant progressively responsible experience in food manufacturers audits.

• Experience in supplier assurance and food safety audits
• Experience in Laboratory operations including training on advanced food test methods, methods/process validation, food standards

Languages: Fluency in English and Spanish. Knowledge of French (desirable).

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Professional training and hands on experience in advanced Quality and Food Safety Management systems implementation and systems audit- FSSC 22000, BRC, ISO 22000; ISO 17025 etc. Lead auditor’s training will be an added advantage.
• Strong analytical, networking, and coordination skills with excellent written and oral communication.
• Ability to negotiate with a variety of actors from the government, private sector, and other international and UN agencies
• Leadership, ability to work within a team, strong drive for results, cultural sensitivity

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

Previous work experience with the United Nations or in development cooperation is an asset.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position: Food Technologist NOA (Food Safety & Quality Assurance)

Based in: Panama City, Panama

Type of Contract: Fix Term- NOA

Duration: 12 months

This position is open only to Panamanian citizens

Only short-listed qualified candidates will receive an acknowledgement.

“Successful candidates will be placed in a roster for 2 years.”