Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Office for the Pacific (SAP) supports member countries in meeting their national priorities in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, agrifood systems, nutrition and rural development. FAOโs member countries in the Pacific include the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. FAO SAP is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional agriculture, food, nutrition and rural development priorities. FAO SAP develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including the Council of Regional Organizations in the Pacific (CROP).
The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok.
Purpose of this Call
FAO SAP is seeking a National Codex Specialist to conduct activities aimed at strengthening national Codex capacities in the Pacific region in the following countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu. The role involves supporting the assigned FAO international consultant on the project to complete project activities, providing organizational support for workshops and meetings with relevant stakeholders and preparing and submitting reports on project work. The post is based in various locations and funded under a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP/SAP/4008), aimed at strengthening national Codex structures and processes, and advancing both regional and national food safety and trade objectives.
Reporting Lines
The National Codex Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific, technical supervision of the FAORAP Senior Food Safety and Nutrition Officer in close collaboration with the FAOSAP International Consultant for Food Safety and Nutrition, and reporting and liaison with the National focal points in designated countries. He/she works in coordination with relevant FAO technical and support staff, contributes to activities involving government institutions, consultants, and partners, under the guidance of the International Consultant for Food Safety and Nutrition.
Technical Focus
The National Codex Specialist will support FAO-led activities related to the National Codex Committee (NCC), and other relevant Government Ministries. This includes assisting with the collection of data/information from relevant sources, development of the national Codex Procedural Manual and promotion of Codex information materials under the guidance of the International Consultant for Food Safety and Nutrition and technical staff. He/She will undertake review, assessment and judgment of data/information in close consultation with the International Consultant for Food Safety and Nutrition, and in support of activities involving the NCC. The National Codex Specialist will supportpresentations and assistwithstakeholder workshops/consultations organized as per the agreed work schedule.
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will assist the FAO international consultant to complete the following project activities:
โข ย ย ย ย Support advocacy activities and workshops to promote awareness of Codex work among national policy and decision-makers
โข ย ย ย ย Support the development of Information Education and Communication (IECs) materials on Codex work for all relevant stakeholders including health, agriculture, marine and trade sectors to enhance political and economic support for national Codex work.
โข ย ย ย ย Support Codex awareness activities and IEC materials during national and international day celebrations such as the World Food Safety Dayย
โข ย ย ย ย Support the coordination of training workshops as required by relevant project activities
โข ย ย ย ย Support the development of the National Codex Procedural manual and a National Codex website
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย ย ย University degree in Food Security, Nutrition, Agriculture, or a related field.
โข ย ย ย ย Five yearsโ experience in food safety and food standard regulation practices, including developing and preparing training and guideline materials, writing of reports and conducting training workshops.ย
โข ย ย ย ย Working knowledge (level C) of Englishย
โข ย ย ย ย National of a Pacific Island Country (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) or resident of the country with valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย ย ย Communication
โข ย ย ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย ย ย Demonstrated Knowledge of food safety and national food control systems and Codex.
โข ย ย ย ย Possesses relevant qualification that support a sound understanding of national food control systems and Codex
โข ย ย ย ย Proven ability to draft reports and summarize materials from workshops and relevant project activities for submission to the international consultant.
โข ย ย ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of work
โข ย ย ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in the Pacific Islands/Small Island Developing States (SIDS) contexts are considered a strong asset
โข ย ย ย ย Familiarity with donor-funded projects and reporting requirements is desirable
โข ย ย ย ย Able to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams.
โข ย ย ย ย Ability to work and plan at strategic as well as operational levels.
โข ย ย ย ย Facilitation and communication: experience of high-level coordination and chairing of meetings; ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders and develop consensus and joint working.
โข ย ย ย ย Excellent command of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel or other reporting and visualization software
โข ย ย ย ย Excellent command of the English language, and ability to write clear and concise reports in English.
โข ย ย ย ย Knowledge of key food security, agricultural and livelihoods indicators.
โข ย ย ย ย Ability to solve problems and provide creative solutions.
โข ย ย ย ย Excellent organizational skills
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