National Expert on Accreditation and Livestock Food Safety Standards

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 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 organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members who work collaboratively to improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and promote sustainable management of natural resources. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, making it a vital player in global efforts to improve food systems and agricultural practices.

Job Overview:
The National Expert on Accreditation and Livestock Food Safety Standards will be instrumental in supporting the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in its Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) aimed at improving the food quality of animal origin and enhancing animal health services in Sri Lanka. This position involves providing technical guidance and support for the documentation process necessary for laboratory accreditation, specifically ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards. The expert will work closely with the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) to develop a comprehensive accreditation framework that includes Quality Manuals, Procedure Manuals, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and various guidelines and formats. The role is critical in aligning national laboratory systems with international benchmarks, which is essential for safeguarding public and animal health, enhancing the credibility of animal-origin products, and expanding global market access for Sri Lankan agricultural products.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The expert will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: reviewing existing laboratory systems and documentation practices; developing and revising Quality Manuals, Procedure Manuals, and SOPs in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards; advising on documentation control and quality assurance mechanisms for biological and chemical laboratories; ensuring that laboratory procedures align with national and international livestock food safety standards; providing training and technical guidance to laboratory staff on documentation systems and compliance; establishing documentation requirements for ISO 17025 and supporting the preparation for pre-assessments and formal accreditation audits; and training relevant staff to ensure they are equipped to maintain compliance with accreditation standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Veterinary Science, Food Science, Laboratory Science, or a related field from a recognized university. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of proven experience in developing, managing, and auditing laboratory documentation systems, such as Quality Manuals and SOPs, in alignment with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation processes is required. Candidates should have demonstrated experience working with biological and chemical laboratories, particularly within the livestock and food safety sectors, and possess sound knowledge of livestock food safety standards and quality management systems. A working knowledge of English, along with Sinhala or Tamil, is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Sri Lanka or hold a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in Veterinary Science, Food Science, Laboratory Science, or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of the complexities involved in laboratory accreditation and food safety standards.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the field, specifically in developing, managing, and auditing laboratory documentation systems that comply with ISO/IEC 17025 standards. This experience should ideally include work with biological and chemical laboratories, particularly in the context of livestock and food safety, to ensure that the expert can effectively contribute to the accreditation process and enhance the quality of laboratory services.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is required, along with proficiency in either Sinhala or Tamil. This bilingual capability is crucial for effective communication within the local context and for ensuring that all documentation and training materials are accessible to laboratory staff.

Additional Notes:
This position is critical for the establishment of a robust and accredited veterinary laboratory system in Sri Lanka. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates will be assessed based on their past proven examples of quality manuals, procedure manuals, and other documentation relevant to laboratory functions. The selection criteria will also include excellent communication and technical writing skills, as well as a track record of successfully obtaining ISO/IEC 17025 status for laboratories in Sri Lanka or elsewhere.