National Food Safety Consultant

National Food Safety Consultant

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID, however, applies to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs.

The position is located under the Food Security and Food Systems Unit which promotes the development of food industries and food value chains and the production of local food products in developing and less developed countries to end hunger and ensure food and nutrition security while generating income and employment adhering to principles of sustainable industrial development.

In response to the main challenges Liberia is facing in regard to food safety, the Liberian Food Safety Initiative (LiFSI) has been designed to boost trade in and safe consumption of locally produced food by enhancing food safety practices and compliance along selected value chains. The project holistically addresses this matter at macro, meso and micro level.

This assignment will contribute to the project's third outcome. Specifically, the LiFSI National Food Safety Consultants are expected to provide tailored upgrading support to the selected Food Business Operators (primary producers, processors, cooperatives and other value chain actors) to support them conform with the requirements of the developed national food safety scheme.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the Project Manager and overall guidance by the assigned International Expert(s), the National Food Safety Consultant(s) will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

1. Review relevant project information (project document, logical framework, objectives, scope and application of vTPA scheme etc.), and relevant assessments.

2. Following a phased training approach, participate in master training courses as delivered by international experts to attain required skills and capacities.

3. Under the direct supervision of the international expert, support the conduct of baseline assessments and gap analysis of the selected FBO's to enable the development of detailed upgrading roadmaps and customized action plans for each of the selected food business operators.

4. In line with the action plans and detailed roadmaps, develop a comprehensive workplan that includes a training schedule for each food business operator.

5. Contribute to the development of relevant training materials, presentations, documents, as well as training assessments.

6. Mentor and coach the selected food business operators (FBOs) and provide the technical advice on the required upgrade against the developed roadmaps and action plans.

7. Regularly and routinely monitor and report progress of selected FBOs and provide technical support to implement the identified corrective action.

8. Support the enterprises in applying for an actual audit against the developed scheme.

9. Regularly report progress, challenges, delays and issues of concern to the Chief Technical Advisor.

10. Prepare and submit a comprehensive final narrative report in line with project templates, including certified timesheet, summary of activities undertaken, key achievements, challenges encountered and future recommendations.

Minimum organizational requirements, technical and functional experience, languages and required competencies are also outlined.