Food Safety Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in 1996 in Samoa to coordinate FAO's work in 14 member countries in the Pacific subregion, including Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and one Associate Member, Tokelau. SAP is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing programs and projects that address food security, nutrition, agriculture, and rural development priorities, while also maintaining relations with subregional institutions and entities.

Job Overview:
The Food Safety Consultant will play a crucial role in strengthening food safety systems and frameworks in Pacific Island countries through a One Health approach. This position involves supporting sub-regional and national food system assessments, capacity building, technical advisory services, and the development of food safety and nutrition initiatives. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, national consultants, and colleagues in relevant areas such as one health, livestock, and environmental health. The primary focus will be on enhancing food safety governance, emergency preparedness, and risk management related to food safety hazards, ensuring that food systems are resilient and capable of responding to challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for assessing and strengthening food control systems, surveillance, and regulatory frameworks in the Pacific Islands. Key tasks include delivering training and capacity-building workshops, supporting the establishment of the National Food Safety Emergency Response Plan (NFSER), and providing technical guidance on emergency preparedness and risk classification. The consultant will also facilitate multi-sectoral coordination among public health, agriculture, livestock, environment, quarantine, and border control authorities to enhance food safety governance. Additional responsibilities include supporting hazard identification and risk assessment, contributing to the development of inspection and compliance monitoring tools, and preparing technical briefs and policy notes to inform national food safety strategies. Project management duties will involve planning project activities, monitoring progress, and liaising with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Food Safety, Food Science, Nutrition, Public Health, Agriculture, or a related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in food safety, nutrition, food systems, food science, or public health is required. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate a working knowledge (C level) of English and possess essential competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Food Safety, Food Science, Nutrition, Public Health, or Agriculture. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify. The degree must be from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO, ensuring that the educational qualifications meet international standards.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience in areas such as food safety, nutrition, food systems, food science, or public health. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in these fields, demonstrating their ability to manage projects and collaborate with diverse stakeholders effectively. Experience in the Asian and Pacific context is preferred, along with established relationships with relevant institutions in the region.

Languages:
A working knowledge (C level) of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Pacific region may be considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time, with a focus on project management and implementation in the Pacific Islands. The consultant will be expected to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including government agencies and international organizations. Compensation and benefits will be determined based on the organization's policies and the consultant's qualifications and experience. The role may involve travel within the Pacific region to engage with local partners and stakeholders.