Senior Logistics Associate (Food Safety & Quality)

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission centered on ensuring that no one goes hungry. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has a diverse workforce and aims to create an inclusive work environment where all employees can thrive. The organization has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide. WFP invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, providing opportunities for career advancement across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The Senior Logistics Associate (Food Safety & Quality) position at WFP involves contributing to the implementation and development of protocols and tools related to food quality and safety. The role is crucial in ensuring that WFP's food safety and quality standards align with its procurement and supply chain strategies. The FSQ Associate will provide technical support to the WFP Cameroon Country Office, particularly in local procurement and production activities. This position requires a proactive approach to managing food safety incidents and ensuring compliance with WFP's food safety requirements. The role also involves building partnerships with government agencies and the private sector to enhance WFP's capacity in food safety and quality assurance. The FSQ Associate will play a key role in supporting various programs, including cash-based transfers and school feeding initiatives, ensuring that food safety risks are assessed and mitigated effectively throughout the process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1) Support the screening, validation, monitoring, and performance evaluation of inspection companies for quality and quantity activities related to food under WFP's responsibility in the country. Participate in the technical review of services provided by external contractors and ensure compliance with WFP inspection service requirements. 2) Conduct laboratory identification and selection according to WFP's quality service provider validation process for quality testing of locally purchased commodities, establishing and maintaining collaboration with laboratories to improve testing methods for food aid commodities. 3) Ensure the implementation of Food Incident Management Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). In the event of food safety incidents, prepare evidence-based recommendations for senior staff on control measures to combat and reduce food commodities loss, and develop tools for rapid response to food safety concerns. 4) Assess and proactively manage issues, prevention strategies, and communication of lessons learned. 5) Provide technical support to WFP local suppliers of processed and nutritious food, assessing compliance with WFP Food Safety and Quality requirements. 6) Offer technical support and capacity building for WFP staff and partners as needed. 7) Support the WFP Country Office in building links with other program streams. 8) In cash-based transfers, ensure that food safety and quality risks are assessed and mitigation measures are implemented from the early phases throughout the process, considering minimum food safety requirements. 9) For the School Feeding Programme, assess and identify quality and safety risks and support the implementation of control measures that include minimum requirements, conditions, and practices. 10) Build productive relationships and partnerships with counterparts in government agencies and the private sector to enhance WFP's capacity to contribute effectively to food safety and quality awareness and improvement. 11) Support the implementation of the WFP Food Safety and Quality manual and procedures/protocols both upstream and downstream. 12) Effectively implement the food incident management system. 13) Manage the food safety and quality aspects of local purchases and strengthen supplier capacities.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree in Food Technology. Candidates must have at least 5 years of professional experience in food quality and safety. A strong knowledge of Cameroon and CEMAC food safety and quality regulations and procedures is essential. Candidates should possess excellent knowledge of food quality and safety, strong data analysis skills related to food quality and financial transactions, and the ability to negotiate with phytosanitary, customs, and port authorities. Behavioral competencies include strong prioritization and decision-making skills under pressure, excellent diplomatic and negotiation abilities with stakeholders, a proactive approach in anticipating administrative customs bottlenecks, and leadership skills to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a university degree in Food Technology or a related field. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of food safety and quality management, as well as the regulatory frameworks that govern food safety in the region.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in food quality and safety. This experience should include working with food safety regulations, quality assurance processes, and the management of food safety incidents. Familiarity with the local context in Cameroon and the CEMAC region is highly advantageous, as it will enable the candidate to navigate the regulatory landscape effectively and engage with local stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of French is highly desirable, given the bilingual nature of Cameroon. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is a Service Contract (SC8) with a duration of 6 months, based in Douala, Cameroon. WFP emphasizes the importance of an inclusive work environment and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees for application or recruitment processes, and candidates are advised to be cautious of any solicitations for payment. The role is full-time, and WFP offers an attractive compensation package, which will be detailed in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement.