Food Safety Systems Specialist

Organizational Setting

UNJP/SRL/076/EC\: BESPA-FOOD - Mainstreaming standards-based best practices for agri-food sector development

BESPA-FOOD project is an EU funded initiative implemented by FAO of the United Nations on supporting Sri Lanka's food control system to adopt better standard based practices in the agriculture and food sectors. The current food control system is not based on prevention of risks along the nodes of the food chains, but rather on the inspections of finished products. In addition, current food standards don’t take a risk-based food safety standards approach to quality and composition, which is considered to be a key quality specification to ensure products are safe for human consumption. This is reflected in Sri Lanka’s primary food law- the Food Act of 1980, which applies food control at the end of processing, manufacturing, and retailing, instead of the entire food chain. There are laws for animal, plant and fisheries sectors that largely apply to their primary production, however food safety along these respective food chains is not adequately covered. Institutional coordination between government institutions is important to enable comprehensive management of food control along the food chain.

The statutory Food Advisory Board is a mechanism under the Food Act and is an important tool for cross-sectoral coordination and advice to the Minister of Health on food issues. However, this coordination needs to be reinforced through formal mechanisms and service level agreements so that each government institution plays an effective role in food control. For this purpose, the representation in the Food Advisory Committee must take into account all authorities responsible for food control and their technical and scientific capacities must be significantly strengthened.

In view of addressing challenges faced in the agri-food private sector, food control system and quality infrastructure system, FAO is supporting a component of these aspects through a larger EU funded four-year project, which entails upgrading the food safety and quality control system. The other component of this EU funded program is implemented by the Lead Agency UNIDO, which focuses on building capacities of producers, processors and food business operators and promoting linkages along the agri-food value chains. Both agencies through their respective components will engage in effective communication methods and campaigns for advocacy and behavior change, based on a market-driven approach and shaped by consumers. This has direct benefits for Sri Lanka's agribusiness and indirect benefits for the livestock and fisheries sectors in terms of increased competitiveness and long-term benefits. It will enhance consumer safety and product quality and lend to developing agriculture sustainably for economic development.

Reporting Lines

The National Food Safety Systems Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme) and the guidance of the Project Management Specialist. He/she will closely interact with the Lead Technical Officer in FAO RAP, national consultants and international consultants, and will be supported by the Project Management Unit (PMU).

Technical Focus

Result Area 1 - Food competent authorities operate an effective food control system in line with international best practices for consumer protection.

• Inclusively formulated national food safety policy with recommendations for performance enhancements of food competent authorities for enhanced regulatory oversight of the food control system proposed with a reviewed food safety policy direction – developed inclusively – and recommended enhancements of the performance of food competent authorities, including institutional adjustment.

• Key food regulatory protocols and pilot programs developed or enhanced and deployed for strengthened food regulatory operations.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Utilize project reports, including the developed situational analysis of the current food safety system in Sri Lanka and draft food safety policy documents to understand gaps, overlaps, conflicting roles and supportive functions in addressing requirements and identifying areas for improvement in food safety control and regulatory enforcement.
• Facilitate the drafting and finalization of the food safety policy, roadmap and respective operational plans for implementation and obtain consensus and official approval through a stakeholder engagement process.
• Technically contribute to the update of legislation and regulations development.
• Technically contribute to and facilitate activities in strengthening CODEX operations.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies to facilitate development and testing of SOPs/protocols, implementing simulation exercises and deploying pilot regulatory programs.
• Understand the burden of foodborne diseases and support/facilitate the establishment of a surveillance system for its monitoring and be familiar with issues associated with food contamination, status of food hygiene and related IEC aspects.
• Contribute to project related IEC activities and SBCC programmes in the country.
• Carryout desk reviews and through meetings become familiar with laboratory services, inspection functions and process of adopting Codex standards.
• Technically contribute to and review development of curricula/ training manuals/guidance documents for regulatory operations, including in food handler/competency-based food inspection operations, facilitate the delivery of related training and support other interventions such as the use of ICT based training tools.
• Facilitate work with external parties on assessing the implications of regulations (rapid assessment) and costing of policy based institutional/regulatory structures and operations.
• Facilitate the establishment of expert/advisory committees, technical working groups, INFOSAN Focal points and engage closely with these groups.
• Ensure all processes are streamlined for alignment with fundamental principles such as SPS/TBT requirements on transparency, integration with CODEX and a preventative risk-based approach at all stages of the food chain.
• Liaise with Service Providers on their tasks and deliverables and facilitate their work with stakeholders including with government counterparts.
• Ensure wide-ranging stakeholder participation and accountability (government and other) and validate work through consultative processes at working group sessions/workshops and ensure consensus by the mandated institutions and closely engage with them to facilitate the delivery of project workplan activities.
• Meet regularly and collaborate with other national/ international project consultants/experts to address cross-cutting issues and be part of synthesizing/collating the work.
• Conduct additional tasks as relevant to project activities and in relation to preparation of project deliverables and those assigned by the supervisor and the project team.
• This position involves occasional field visits.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• An Advanced university degree/ (a master’s degree or above) in Food Safety, Public Health or any other field relevant to the subject matter of the project
• Minimum of 4 years work experience in food safety control or related fields at the country level
• National of Sri Lanka.
• Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in international development would be an added advantage.
• Good understanding of agriculture/food related development issues and similar activities in Sri Lanka.
• Demonstrated experience in working with government structures at national level and wider stakeholders and being well versed with national communication processes an added advantage.
• Knowledge of UN administration and related procedures is an advantage.
• Proficiency in the use of office software packages and in handling web-based management systems.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION