Programme Policy Officer : Expert en technologies agroalimentaires, gestions des pertes post récoltes et contrôle qualité

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission to ensure that no one goes hungry. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts. The organization invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer position focuses on enhancing security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and nutrition in Senegal through the implementation of innovative strategies aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving food quality. The officer will play a crucial role in the WFP's strategic plan for 2025-2029, which emphasizes food systems as a means to increase the availability and accessibility of nutritious foods. The role requires a deep understanding of food processing procedures, raw material management, and hazard control. The officer will work on specific interventions related to rice, millet, and sorghum value chains, addressing economic, nutritional, and food security challenges, particularly among women and youth. The position also involves collaboration with local partners and stakeholders to promote sustainable practices and technologies in food production and processing.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Policy Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Contributing to the development of projects and plans that align with WFP's policies and guidelines.
• Providing support for the management of specific projects and programs, ensuring coordination with other initiatives and adherence to WFP standards.
• Liaising with internal stakeholders to facilitate effective collaboration and project monitoring.
• Supporting the establishment of a favorable institutional framework for local production of high-nutritional-value foods.
• Proposing innovative technical solutions to reduce post-harvest losses and improve cereal quality.
• Conducting technical assessments for the approval of new fortification units.
• Developing and implementing innovative solutions in food processing technologies while ensuring compliance with quality standards.
• Supporting adherence to health and environmental standards in food processing industries.
• Providing training on Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) for food production operations. 1
• Collaborating with inspection services to enhance AQ/CQ of fortification units. 1
• Assessing the feasibility of local production of premixes for fortified foods. 1
• Documenting best practices and lessons learned from fortification projects. 1
• Supporting the production of fortified food supplements in collaboration with targeted enterprises. 1
• Assisting in the implementation of a social marketing strategy to promote high-nutritional-value foods. 1
• Documenting processes and developing plans for scaling up successful initiatives. 1
• Monitoring the implementation of fortification initiatives and ensuring coherence among partners and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree (Bac+4 or higher) in agronomy, food technology, nutrition, or related fields. They should have at least two years of proven professional experience in monitoring and evaluating food security projects, including post-harvest loss reduction and food safety strategies. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and assess context-appropriate solutions that comply with agricultural and food quality standards. Excellent writing and communication skills are essential for producing clear and precise technical and financial reports. Candidates should also be able to simplify complex technical information for better understanding among stakeholders. Experience working in multicultural teams and collaborating with diverse actors, including producers and cooperatives, is required. Willingness to travel frequently within the project intervention areas is necessary.

Educational Background:
A university degree (Bac+4 or higher) in agronomy, agro-food technology, nutrition, or related disciplines is required for this position. This educational background should provide a solid foundation in the principles of food science, nutrition, and agricultural practices relevant to the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in the field of food security, particularly in project monitoring and evaluation related to agro-food systems. Experience in implementing strategies for food safety and post-harvest loss reduction is essential. Familiarity with national food fortification programs and the ability to apply technical knowledge in real-world contexts are also important.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication in Senegal. Proficiency in English is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a Service Contract at grade SC L8, with a duration of 12 months, starting from October 1, 202

• The role is based in Dakar, Senegal, with regular travel to project sites. WFP promotes an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from qualified women, emphasizing the importance of gender parity in its teams. The organization does not tolerate discrimination of any kind and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.