Regional Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer,

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives and building a pathway to peace. This role, based in Panama City, supports WFP's Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) approach across the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Bureau (LACRO). LACRO encompasses 15 country offices, each with unique operational contexts and food systems requiring tailored FSQA support.

Job Purpose

The Regional Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer will provide essential technical leadership and guidance across the Latin America and Caribbean region. This role is crucial for ensuring WFP's food assistance programs meet the highest safety and quality standards, safeguarding beneficiary health. The officer will support country offices in implementing WFP's FSQA policies, strengthening risk management frameworks, and embedding food safety throughout the supply chain, from program design to final distribution. Key responsibilities include developing and overseeing FSQA protocols, managing risks, collaborating with national authorities and stakeholders, and enhancing the capacity of local food systems and quality infrastructure to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of WFP's operations in diverse and challenging environments.

Responsibilities

The role involves developing and implementing Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) policies and procedures to align with WFP's strategies, ensuring compliance with regulations. This includes providing expert technical guidance to country offices on food safety within WFP programs, and establishing protocols for risk and incident management for rapid response. The position oversees systems for preventing and mitigating FSQA issues, guiding product specifications, and advising on engagement with national food authorities. It also involves managing supplier assessments, audits, laboratory testing, and storage/transport quality risks. The role supports country offices in identifying and managing FSQ risks in local procurement, food delivery, fresh food operations, and school feeding programs, including developing risk matrices and mitigation measures. Additionally, it advises on engaging with food authorities and standards bodies to strengthen local quality infrastructure and improve risk-based controls. The position supports the use of corporate FSQ tools and data systems for informed decision-making, and fosters relationships with stakeholders across UN agencies, NGOs, governments, and the private sector. It also advises on innovative research related to FSQA, packaging, and principles, and provides expert advice to build the capacity of local food producers and enhance national food systems. The role may involve leading FSQA-embedded initiatives, overseeing data collection and reporting, driving cross-functional collaboration, and leading/motivating a team. It also requires ensuring an equitable and inclusive workplace and acting in emergency response capacities when needed.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in Food Safety and Quality. This experience should also encompass working across procurement, logistics, and supply chain management, including leading integrated operations. Additional relevant training in food safety and quality is also necessary.

Skills

Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management, Risk Management, Policy Development, Technical Guidance, Stakeholder Engagement, Capacity Building, Data Analysis, Emergency Response, Cross-functional Collaboration

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