Chief Food Safety & Quality (p5)

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and using food assistance to build peace and prosperity. WFP operates in diverse and challenging environments, striving to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions globally. The organization values diversity, inclusion, and invests in its employees' professional development, offering a dynamic and impactful career path.

Job Purpose

The Chief Food Safety & Quality (P5) will provide strategic leadership and expert oversight for WFP’s global Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) systems. This role is crucial for ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance across all WFP operations, from programme design to distribution. The incumbent will lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of FSQ policies, standards, and procedures, aligning them with international benchmarks. Key responsibilities include integrating FSQ systems into operations, driving cross-functional collaboration, leading digital innovation in FSQ, managing partnerships, and providing operational support to the field. The role also encompasses leading the food incident management program, FSQ supplier management, and ensuring product traceability, ultimately safeguarding the integrity and nutritional value of food provided to beneficiaries.

Responsibilities

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking a strategic leader to oversee its global Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) systems. This role involves developing, implementing, and continuously improving FSQ policies, standards, and procedures across all WFP operations, from program design to distribution. Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with international benchmarks, managing risks, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. The position also entails leading digital innovation in FSQ systems, managing partnerships with public and private sector technical experts, and providing operational FSQ support and guidance to field offices. A critical aspect of the role is managing the food incident management program, including investigations, technical research, and implementing lessons learned to enhance FSQ. Furthermore, the leader will oversee FSQ supplier management, including audits and risk assessment, and act as the FSQ subject matter expert for procurement, insurance, and legal matters. This includes leading improvements in product traceability and IT system implementation for FSQ. The role also involves supervising FSQ staff, managing the unit's finances, and leading global FSQ knowledge management and capacity building initiatives. The objective is to ensure all food provided by WFP is safe and nutritious, thereby supporting its mission to save lives and change lives.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of 11 years of progressive experience in developing, implementing, and managing corporate food safety and quality systems and policies. Significant experience is also needed in integrating Food Safety and Quality (FSQ), Regulatory Affairs, and Food/Packaging Research and Development systems into humanitarian operations.

Skills

Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Food and Packaging Research and Development, Risk Management, Incident Management, Food Fraud Prevention, Supplier Management, Product Traceability, Digital Innovation in FSQ, Capacity Building, Knowledge Management, Financial Management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Data Analytics, International Food Safety Standards, Food Science, Microbiology, Toxicology, Statistics, Leadership, Communication, Negotiation, Mentoring, Project Management

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