Monitoring Assistant - 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 120 countries, assisting more than 115.5 million people each year. The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts in combating hunger and promoting peace. WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of their background.

Job Overview:
The Monitoring Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the effective delivery of food assistance packages, particularly focusing on the hot meals project in Lebanon. This position involves performing monitoring activities within a designated coverage area and providing comprehensive reports to enhance the quality and safety of food assistance. The incumbent will be responsible for liaising with cooperating partners and internal counterparts to gather feedback, which will be instrumental in program reviews and service improvements. The role requires a proactive approach to ensure compliance with WFP guidelines and regulations, contributing to the planning, implementation, and enhancement of food safety and quality assurance procedures. The Monitoring Assistant will also engage in emergency response processes and maintain accurate records to facilitate the effective distribution of food and non-food items.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Monitoring Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: liaising with cooperating partners and internal counterparts to gather feedback and comments for program reviews; collating feedback from beneficiaries to identify programmatic issues; providing guidance to partners on WFP operational practices; preparing field mission reports to document program implementation; following emergency response processes for food assistance; verifying planned movements and distributions of food items; maintaining information records and monitoring plan documentation; collating assistance program data to support program reviews; and performing other related duties as required. The role demands attention to detail and the ability to conduct thorough inspections and assessments to ensure compliance with WFP standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a basic knowledge of food safety and quality assurance principles, including Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and HACCP principles. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is essential. Strong communication, reporting, and organizational skills are required, along with the ability to interact effectively with various stakeholders. Knowledge of national and international food safety standards, food processing, preservation, and quality assurance procedures is highly desirable. The candidate should also demonstrate effective communication and training skills to engage with kitchen staff and nutritionists.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is the completion of secondary school education. However, a university degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Safety, Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 4 years of relevant professional experience in food safety and quality control, or nutrition, preferably in a food production, manufacturing, or institutional setting. Experience with food safety monitoring, kitchen inspections, audits, and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions is essential. Familiarity with food safety regulations and hygiene standards is also required.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Arabic is mandatory. Knowledge of the French language is considered an added advantage and may be beneficial in this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role within the WFP Lebanon office. The organization encourages female candidates and individuals with disabilities to apply, reflecting its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The recruitment process is designed to be accessible and fair, with reasonable accommodations available for candidates with disabilities. The compensation package is attractive, and further details can be found in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. All applications must be submitted through the online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process.