Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Officer

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, assisting around 80 million people each year. The organization is committed to achieving Zero Hunger in our lifetimes and focuses on ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry. WFP's mission is supported by a diverse workforce that embodies the values of integrity, collaboration, commitment, humanity, and inclusion. WFP is also a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide. The organization invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, fostering a multicultural and inclusive work environment.

Job Overview:
The Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the County Office's operations and programmatic activities by integrating Food Safety and Quality Assurance Management Systems (FSQMS) across various activities, including procurement, logistics, Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF), and food fortification projects. This position requires a proactive approach to ensuring compliance with food safety standards and regulations, monitoring food quality throughout the supply chain, and implementing corrective measures to safeguard food quality and beneficiary wellbeing. The FSQA Officer will also be responsible for providing technical guidance and capacity strengthening support to suppliers and partners, coordinating food safety risk management activities, and promoting a strong food safety culture within WFP and its stakeholders. This role is essential for ensuring that WFP's food assistance programs are effective, safe, and aligned with national and international standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The FSQA Officer will be responsible for leading the implementation and continuous improvement of WFP's Food Safety and Quality Management System (FSQMS). Key duties include ensuring compliance with WFP requirements, national regulations, and international food safety standards across procurement, local sourcing, storage, transportation, and distribution activities. The officer will monitor food safety and quality risks throughout the supply chain, recommend preventive and corrective measures, and oversee food quality assurance activities, including commodity inspections, sampling, testing, and warehouse monitoring. Additionally, the FSQA Officer will support supplier prequalification and performance evaluation processes, coordinate food safety risk management activities, manage laboratory-related activities, and provide technical advice to program activities. The officer will also strengthen the capacity of WFP staff and stakeholders through training and knowledge-sharing initiatives, serve as the focal point for food safety and quality matters, and represent WFP in relevant national and regional forums.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Food Safety and Quality Management, Food Control, Nutrition, or a related field. Alternatively, a first university degree in a relevant discipline combined with at least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in food safety and quality assurance, food technology, or a related field is acceptable. The position requires knowledge of food safety and quality management systems, experience in industrial food production, and familiarity with ISO, Codex standards, and laboratory analysis. Proven experience in conducting supplier audits and incident management is also essential, along with the ability to advise on food contracting and distribution.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Food Safety and Quality Management, Food Control, Nutrition, or another related field is required. Candidates with a first university degree in a relevant discipline combined with at least three years of relevant experience will also be considered. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of food safety and quality assurance in humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
At least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in food safety and quality assurance, food technology, quality management systems, food supply chain management, supplier quality assurance, food inspection, laboratory management, and food safety incident management is required. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to effectively manage food safety risks and ensure compliance with relevant standards.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Candidates should possess a high level of proficiency in English to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Monrovia, Liberia. The role involves working closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries, UN agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors. The compensation package is attractive and includes benefits associated with working for a leading humanitarian organization. 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 candidates are advised to ensure their profiles are complete and accurate.