National Specialist on Food Safety Systems and One Health Approach

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (“FAO” or “Organization”) is an intergovernmental organization with more than 194 member nations. Since its inception, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition, and the pursuit of food security - defined as the access of all people at all times to the food they need for an active and healthy life. To achieve its goals, FAO cooperates with thousands of partners worldwide, from farmers’ groups to traders, from non-governmental organizations to other UN agencies, from development banks to agribusiness firms (further and more detailed information on FAO can be found on the internet site\: http\://www.fao.org).
The main aim of FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments in developing policies, programs, and projects to achieve security and reduce hunger and malnutrition to help develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forest sectors, and use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

The National specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Rwanda, direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR/Programme in close collaboration with the National Project Manager and the FAO project Lead Technical Officer (LTO); who would support the project implementation from the FAO Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE).

Technical Focus

The technical focus of the work of the national specialist is to assess the existing gaps in the national food safety system using One Health approach. The findings will assist in the development of the national food safety system guideline using One health approach strategy. He/she will also build the capacity of different stakeholders in the food safety system using a One Health approach.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Collect relevant information on key stakeholder perceptions of National One Health platform to improve Food Safety system in Rwanda.
• Using data collected from the relevant stakeholders, prepare a technical report on the current status, the existing gaps and propose recommendations towards improving the food safety system in Rwanda with consideration of One Health approach.
• Support in organizing a validation workshop gathering different and relevant stakeholders to present to them the findings of the gap analysis completed and prepare the workshop report.
• Basing on the stakeholders’ inputs on the report, prepare a final gap analysis report and submit it officially to FAO office for its endorsement by the Lead Technical officer and the AFAOR/Programme
• Develop a brief report on views of the National One Health platform to improve Food Safety system in Rwanda.
• As necessary, provide support to the national government focal points to ensure that the relevant stakeholders are aware of the One Health approach.
• Conduct two professional trainings on role of multisectoral and multidisciplinary stakeholders in improving Food Safety through an integrated and holistic strategy known as a One Health Approach in which potential solutions are viewed and delivered more holistically.
• Draft a clear strategic orientation and guidance to National One Health Platform to achieve above mentioned targets,
• Develop a draft food safety system strategic guideline for Rwanda while considering One Health approach.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree holder with minimum 5 years’ experience in Agricultural Economics; Economics, master’s degree in food science and technology, Food Safety, Food Microbiology.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the area of food safety system analysis and research.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Rwanda or resident in the country with a legal work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Solid understanding of national food system control, One Health approach and stakeholder engagement particularly
• Knowledge and understanding of the national food control system.
• Working experience and records in conducting similar assignments with practical knowledge and management of the national food control system
• Analytical skills and ability to write clear and concise content in English.
• Ability to interact, communicate and work on meaningful contribution to complex development planning with multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholders including Governments, private sector, civil society, consumers, and producers (involving youth and women farmer’s cooperatives)
• Experience in SWOT / Gaps analysis on development issues such as food safety, food security or agriculture/rural development
• Experience in coordinating or facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue or policy process.
• Teamwork and results oriented.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet agreed deadlines.
• Understanding of the functioning of UN agencies, especially with FAO working area or international development partners/organizations, is an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact\: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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