Overview
To implement WFP food safety and quality initiatives, policies and procedures. Job holders collaborate with supply chain and programme functions to ensure an integrated approach that supports WFP’s strategic objectives in food assistance.
Key Responsibilities
- Adapt and implement policies and procedures to align WFP’s FSQA approach with WFP and supply chain strategies and coordinate the implementation of FSQA regulations to ensure compliance.
- Provide technical guidance and input to Ethiopia Country Office (ETCO) in the design and implementation of WFP food assistance programmes, ensuring that food safety and quality is embedded in all food-related WFP operations.
- Implement field operations protocols for risk and incident management to enable rapid response to food safety concerns.
- Establish and/or support the establishment of field operations systems for the prevention and mitigation of FSQA issues, including creating product specifications, advising ETCO to engage with national and regional food authorities regarding national food regulations, and implementing risk-based systems for supplier assessment and compliance.
- Collaborate with supply chain and other relevant functions to establish standard operating procedures, protocols and tools that maintain, monitor and verify food safety and quality throughout the WFP supply chain.
- Build relationships with stakeholders across UN agencies, NGOs, governments, and the private sector to leverage opportunities to incorporate industry best practices enhancing WFP’s capacity to operate effectively.
- Coordinate and facilitate WFP’s involvement in research related to FSQA assurance, packaging, and principles, enabling the organization to provide safe, quality foods and achieve desired programme impacts.
- Provide advice and technical guidance to WFP staff at all levels, partners and governments, supporting country operations to build the capacity of local food producers. This may include enhancing quality assurance in food production, establishing suitable food processing facilities, acquisition of food processing machinery, and conducting product stability studies in line with regulations.
- Guide and provide technical support to enhance national food systems by strengthening the capacity of local and regional quality infrastructure institutions. This includes food standards agencies, control systems, laboratory testing facilities, certification, and inspection bodies and Fortification support.
- When required by operational structures exceptionally, staffing limitations hinder full segregation of duties between FSQA management and capacity building, coordinate on FSQA-embedded initiatives in COs, such as strengthening food systems or improving food diversity for nutrition interventions, in close collaboration with Global HQ FSQA.
- Prepare accurate and timely accounting, data collection and reporting, to inform decision making and contribute to a knowledge base that supports continuous improvement of WFP’s FSQA approach and overall Supply Chain.
- Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing across supply chain functions for an integrated approach to food safety and operational effectiveness.
- Guide and motivate a small team providing coaching, training and guidance as required to enable professional development and high performance.
- Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance needs.
- Other as required.
Required Experience
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in Food Safety and Quality and/or experience in procurement, logistics, and/or supply chain management with additional relevant training in food safety and quality.
Qualifications
Advanced University Degree in Food Technology, Health Sciences, Food Control, Nutrition or other related field, or First University degree with two additional years of related work experience.
