Unique Programme Policy Officer - Food Technologist NOA

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

A fundamental component to WFP operations worldwide is its commitment to Food Safety and Quality. WFP food basket is expanding and becoming increasingly diversified to include locally available fresh and processed foods. At the same time, global food safety assurance systems are evolving, national food safety authority capacities are improving, and there is a growing awareness of food safety and quality requirements. The WFP Food Safety and Quality Management System (FSQMS) aims at protecting the health of beneficiaries, satisfying beneficiaries’ expectations and host government regulations, reducing, and preventing issues along the supply chain, from the farmers/suppliers to the beneficiaries, as well as avoiding damage to WFP’s or donors’ reputations, and reducing pipeline breaks and financial losses. This includes making sure that the food WFP purchases internationally, regionally, or locally and that will be delivered and distributed to the beneficiaries will be safe and of good quality.

This position is based in Banjul, The Gambia and reports to [xxx].

THE ROLE

To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

1)Contribute towards the implementation of protocols and tools relating to food technology issues, including food safety and quality, food product optimization and food fortification ensuring alignment with WFP procurement and supply chain strategy, policies, and plans.

2) Contribute towards the implementation of protocols and tools that enable rapid response to situations with food safety concerns in accordance with WFP corporate Food Incident Management guidelines.

3) Provide technical guidance and support to WFP Gambia Country Office in the design and implementation of food assistance programmes and initiatives i.e., Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF), food fortification initiatives, cash-based interventions, institutional capacity strengthening, Nutrition, emergency preparedness and response (EPR), etc.

4) Support the technical screening, validation, monitoring and performance evaluation of food suppliers, retailers, and quality service providers. Ensure service providers are aware of and comply with WFP requirements and scope of work. 5) Work in close collaboration with counterparts in key supply chain functions to establish standard operation procedures, protocols and tools that maintain, monitor, and verify food safety and quality along the WFP supply chain.

6) Work in collaboration with counterparts in UN agencies, government, NGOs, and the private sector to enhance WFP capacity to contribute effectively to levels of undernutrition.

7) Support the capacity building of WFP staff and partners including farmers/farmers organizations, food processors, suppliers, quality service providers, food quality control services (i.e., food safety agency and food technology services). Focus on key areas of food technology, such as quality control, food processing, loss prevention and mitigation, to build local capacity for efficient and effective delivery of food assistance to beneficiaries.

8) Keep updated on emerging developments and cutting-edge research in the areas of food safety and quality and/or product innovations to capitalize on opportunities for integrating industry standards and best practices effectively.

9) Prepare accurate and timely reports to inform food safety risk assessment and management, and to contribute to comprehensive visibility of food technology activities and informed decision-making and ensure consistency of information disseminated to stakeholders.

10) Support the strengthening of national food fortification initiatives by developing action plans, protocols, and guidelines aligned with Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and international standards, utilizing a food system strengthening approach.

11) Other tasks as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced university degree/Post-graduate degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Nutrition, or Public Health.

Experience:

A minimum of 1 year of relevant postgraduate professional experience; preferably related to food safety and quality and/or Food Technology/R&D.

Experience in capacity development especially of private sector or government counterparts on aspects related to food safety and quality, value chain approach, food fortification, local production.

Knowledge and Skills:

1) Food safety, quality control and assurance in processing including HACCP, GHP, GMP, GAP.

2) Knowledge of food safety and quality management systems (e.g. ISO, BRC, IFS, GFS etc.).

3) Collaborative spirit: able to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.

4) Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team in a multi-cultural context.

5) Strong drive, self-motivated, and able to work with autonomy.

6) Communication: Ability to communicate orally and in writing, and to engage with various stakeholders from different sectors, levels, and backgrounds including, local authorities and the private sector.

7) Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook).

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and the duty station’s language, if different.
 

http://wfp-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/sophie_kwokori_wfp_org/EbCq4DvpI9pFobJ2gdKmqRMBkMAjygnIm0Uq8b5HmFoTPA?e=r1CcZv

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.