National Sanitary and Phytosanitary Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is 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. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, facilitating partnerships and delivering technical assistance while adhering to international standards of accountability.

Job Overview:
The National Sanitary and Phytosanitary Expert will play a crucial role in developing a comprehensive project proposal aimed at strengthening Nepal's phytosanitary capacity. This position involves addressing significant constraints in Nepal's sanitary and phytosanitary systems that hinder market access for key agricultural commodities. The expert will work closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries and local authorities, to identify and prioritize key SPS constraints affecting market access for citrus, medicinal and aromatic plants, and indigenous food products. The role requires a deep understanding of the regulatory frameworks and operational challenges in inspection, certification, and surveillance, as well as the ability to design targeted interventions to enhance pest surveillance, inspection, diagnostic capacity, and traceability mechanisms. The expert will also ensure that the project proposal aligns with national strategies and complies with FAO and donor formats, focusing on coherence between narrative, budget, and implementation modalities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for conducting desk reviews of national phytosanitary policies and related documents to support evidence-based project formulation. This includes performing gap analyses and needs assessments related to regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity. The expert will provide technical support to the FAO Nepal team in engaging with key stakeholders, facilitating stakeholder consultations, and documenting findings and recommendations. Additionally, the expert will support the development of the project proposal, including objectives, activities, and risk mitigation strategies, while integrating crosscutting issues such as climate risks and gender considerations. The role also involves producing a concise implementation report detailing activities undertaken under the Project Preparation Grant (PPG).

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (PhD or Master’s) in agriculture, food science, plant protection, phytosanitary systems, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of experience in SPS, phytosanitary systems, or food safety standards is required. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English and must be nationals of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or residents of the country with a valid work permit. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, either a PhD or a Master's degree, in relevant fields such as agriculture, food science, plant protection, or phytosanitary systems. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address the complexities of phytosanitary systems and food safety standards.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in the fields of sanitary and phytosanitary systems or food safety standards. This experience should include practical involvement in project design, implementation, and evaluation, particularly in developing countries. Familiarity with the challenges faced in food safety compliance and the ability to analyze constraints in these contexts is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the stakeholders involved in the project or the local context in Nepal.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The role is expected to involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies and local authorities, to ensure the successful development of the project proposal. The expert will be required to produce documentation and reports as part of their responsibilities, and the position may involve field missions to gather data and insights from key agricultural districts in Nepal.