National Consultant for Development of the National Food Safety Policy and Implementation Plan

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's initiatives focus on various health issues, including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and emergency response, making it a pivotal player in global health governance.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant for the Development of the National Food Safety Policy and Implementation Plan is crucial for addressing food safety challenges in Sierra Leone. The consultant will be tasked with producing a comprehensive, evidence-based, and context-appropriate National Food Safety Policy and its implementation plan. This role is vital as food safety is a significant public health and economic development priority in Sierra Leone, where unsafe food contributes to foodborne illnesses and economic burdens. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders to ensure that the policy aligns with international standards and effectively addresses the unique challenges faced by the country. The consultant will also be responsible for conducting a thorough review of existing policies and frameworks, identifying gaps, and drafting the necessary documents to guide the implementation of the policy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will carry out several key tasks, including:

• Conducting a desk review and gap analysis of existing food safety policies and frameworks in Sierra Leone, analyzing the current landscape of food safety, including legislation, institutional mandates, and enforcement mechanisms.
• Identifying country-specific needs and priorities for strengthening the food safety system.
• Drafting the National Food Safety Policy that reflects national priorities and aligns with international best practices.
• Preparing an implementation plan that provides a structured approach for operationalizing the policy.
• Facilitating stakeholder consultations to gather feedback on draft documents and incorporating comments into the final submissions.
• Delivering an inception report, stakeholder consultation report, the National Food Safety Policy, and the implementation plan to the Ministry of Health.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Public Health, Food Law, Veterinary Medicine, or a related field. Essential qualifications include a minimum of 7 years of experience in policy and strategy development, familiarity with WHO global strategies and food safety guidelines, and strong facilitation and communication skills. Experience working with the UN on policy development is desirable but not mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in a relevant field such as Food Science, Public Health, Food Law, or Veterinary Medicine. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of food safety and the development of effective policies.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 7 years of relevant experience in policy and strategy development, particularly in the context of food safety. Familiarity with international food safety guidelines and challenges faced by developing countries is crucial. Experience with the UN or similar organizations in policy development is considered an advantage.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with strong written, presentation, and verbal communication skills required for effective stakeholder engagement and documentation.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 4 months, with no travel required. Remuneration will be based on the applicable fees as per the World Health Organization's scale for consultants at the NOC level. The maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year, but this specific consultancy is limited to 4 months.