Logistics Officer (Food Safety and Quality)

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and beneficiaries. The organization has been recognized globally for its efforts, including being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202

• WFP is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply and contribute to its mission.

Job Overview:
The logistics-officer" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Logistics Officer (Food Safety and Quality) will play a crucial role in the Food Safety and Quality Unit of WFP, which is focused on embedding a culture of food safety and quality assurance throughout the organization. This position involves developing and implementing corporate policies and guidelines related to food safety and quality, ensuring that WFP adheres to the highest standards in its operations. The officer will be responsible for integrating food safety and quality protocols into various WFP operations and programs, establishing risk-based control measures, and ensuring that food procured meets WFP specifications and national standards. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and internal teams, to enhance food safety and quality awareness and practices. The Logistics Officer will also be responsible for analyzing data related to food safety and quality, guiding junior staff, and staying updated on industry best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, dissemination, and implementation of corporate policies, guidelines, and procedures on food safety and quality matters, ensuring alignment with corporate, regional, and country office priorities.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of protocols and tools for integrating food safety and quality into WFP operations and programs.
• Establish risk-based control measures and prepare evidence-based recommendations to combat food commodity losses and incidents related to food quality and safety.
• Ensure that food procured meets WFP specifications and relevant national standards by establishing robust supplier quality assurance systems.
• Support capacity-strengthening interventions for food suppliers, inspection companies, WFP staff, and government agencies to ensure effective delivery of food assistance.
• Build productive relationships with counterparts in government and the private sector to enhance WFP's capacity in food safety and quality assurance.
• Collaborate with supply chain, program, nutrition, and other relevant units to support an integrated approach to food assistance.
• Stay current on emerging developments in food safety and quality to incorporate best practices into WFP operations.
• Analyze relevant process data to inform risk management and contribute to a comprehensive view of food technology activities. 1
• Guide and supervise junior staff, providing support for complex analyses and queries. 1
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Food Science and Technology, Food Safety and Quality, or related fields. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional training or courses in relevant areas will be considered. Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in food technology and quality assurance, including experience in food safety audits and laboratory operations. Professional training and hands-on experience in implementing advanced Quality and Food Safety Management systems, such as FSSC 22000, BRC, ISO 22000, and ISO 17025, are essential. Strong analytical, networking, and coordination skills, along with excellent written and oral communication abilities, are required. Candidates should demonstrate leadership skills and the ability to work effectively within and lead a team, with a strong drive for results.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Food Science and Technology, Food Safety and Quality, or other related fields is required. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional training or courses in relevant areas will be considered sufficient for this position.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of 8 years of experience in progressively increasing responsibilities in the field of food technology and food quality assurance. This includes experience in conducting food safety audits and managing laboratory operations, as well as training on advanced food testing methods and food standards. Experience in coaching and mentoring junior staff is also necessary, along with professional training in Quality and Food Safety Management systems implementation and auditing.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English is the primary language of communication within WFP.

Additional Notes:
This position is a Service Contract (SC) at grade 8, with a duration of 12 months, renewable based on performance and organizational needs. The role is based in Kigali, Rwanda, and offers an attractive compensation package as detailed in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted through the online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further stages of the recruitment process.