Food Standards Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Joint FAO/World Health Organization (WHO) Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). This commission serves as the executive organ of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, which is dedicated to ensuring food safety and quality standards globally. The Codex Alimentarius Commission is situated within the Joint FAO/WHO Centre at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The organization operates under the programmatic responsibility of the relevant director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director-General and Assistant Director-General of FAO and WHO respectively. The Secretariat is responsible for servicing the sessions of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies, acting as a liaison between the Commission and various sectors of FAO, WHO, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other international organizations concerned with food standards. The Codex Alimentarius Commission plays a crucial role in the protection of consumer health and ensuring fair practices in food trade.

Job Overview:
The Food Standards Officer position is pivotal within the Codex Alimentarius Commission, focusing on the effective planning, preparation, implementation, and follow-up of the work of specific subsidiary bodies. The role is essential for developing food safety and quality standards that protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in food trade. The officer will be responsible for overseeing the scientific and technical aspects of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, ensuring that all activities align with the Codex Strategic Plan. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including governments and international organizations, to provide technical advice and support related to food standards. The officer will also be involved in communication activities, contributing to the dissemination of information and engaging in outreach efforts to enhance understanding of food standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Food Standards Officer will lead or support the Codex Secretariat team in various capacities, preparing agendas, technical documents, and reports for the Commission's sessions. Key responsibilities include monitoring the progress of standards development, preparing final standards for publication, representing the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme at international meetings, and participating in expert bodies convened by FAO and WHO. The officer will oversee applications for observer status from international organizations and provide technical advice on food standards. Specific functions include leading the Codex Secretariat team for at least three subsidiary bodies, ensuring compliance with procedural requirements, facilitating information exchange between subsidiary bodies, and coordinating engagement with FAO and WHO initiatives. The officer will also contribute to communication activities, including interviews, presentations, and articles for publications.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in food science, public health, biological sciences, veterinary medicine, agricultural science, nutrition, or a related field. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in developing and applying food standards and food control programs at national, regional, or global levels is required. Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, such as a master's degree or its equivalent, in fields related to food science, public health, biological sciences, veterinary medicine, agricultural science, or nutrition. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of food safety and quality standards.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in the development and application of food standards and food control programs. This experience should encompass work at national, regional, or global levels, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of food safety and quality issues. Candidates with experience in field positions or multiple locations will be viewed favorably, as will those with a background in intergovernmental negotiations and multilateral forums related to food safety and trade.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a requirement for level C proficiency. Additionally, candidates must have intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which can include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication within the international context of the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at the FAO headquarters. While the job ad does not specify a deadline for applications, it is important for candidates to be aware of the competitive nature of such positions. The role is likely to be full-time, and candidates may be recruited internationally, given the global scope of the Codex Alimentarius Commission's work. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job ad, but candidates should expect a comprehensive package reflective of the responsibilities and the level of expertise required.