Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.ย
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.ย
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:ย
(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAOโs mandate;
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services;ย
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;ย
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; andย
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management. ย ย
Main Purpose:
Iran is one of the world's leading producers and exporters of high-quality pistachios, which are a valuable agricultural commodity for the Iranian economy. The country's pistachio industry has a longstanding tradition and plays a significant role in global nut trade.
While Iranian pistachios are generally renowned for their excellent taste and quality, the pistachio supply chain in the country faces periodic challenges with regards to mycotoxin contamination, particularly aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are a group of highly potent toxins produced by certain Aspergillus fungi, which can proliferate at orchards as well as suboptimal pre- and post-harvest conditions.
Factors such as environmental conditions, agricultural practices, and storage/processing methods can influence the risk of Aspergillus growth and aflatoxin formation in pistachio crops. Iran has made concerted efforts to address these challenges and implement robust quality control measures to ensure the safety and marketability of its pistachio exports.
According to Codex Alimentarius Commission regulation in July 2008, the level of aflatoxin B1 in pistachios intended for direct human consumption must not exceed 8 ฮผg/kg and the total ochratoxin and aflatoxin content (B1, B2, G1 and G2) must not exceed 10 ฮผg/kg, while EU Commission announced products from countries that have repeatedly breached the regulations are put on a list included in the Annex (EC) 669/2009. As pistachioโs aflatoxin contamination can occur in the field, at harvest, during post-harvest operations and during storage in addition to late harvesting which increases the likelihood of aflatoxin contamination, the need for an efficient integrated approach towards a sustainable solution addressing this issue with a holistic approach towards the sustainable management of the Pistachioโs supply chain is prominent.ย
To enhance the capacity of the Islamic Republic of Iran to improve Pistachio's integrated supply chain management with emphasis on productivity, harvesting, processing and contaminant's safety regulations, FAO's Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) TCP/IRA/3901 has been formulated. The ultimate goal of the project is to ensured food and nutrition security and safety through sustainable Pistachio consumption and production by promoting efficient and inclusive supply chain management.ย
Reporting Lines
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the FAO Representative a.i. in the I.R. Iran, and the Budget Holder, and direct supervision of FAO-Iran OiC and technical supervision of the Projectโs Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration and coordination with FAO-Iran Programme team, National and international Experts, the National Consultant will carry out the tasks described below.
Technical Focus
Evaluating protocols for mycotoxin analysis, implementing comprehensive quality assurance and traceability systems, ensuring laboratory regulatory compliance
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย In close collaboration with FAO International Food Safety Control Specialist and national incumbents, carry out desk reviews and collecting technical information and data required for the Codex Alimentarius standards, guidelines, code of practices and guidelines for contaminants including Mycotoxins (aflatoxin and ochratoxin) and pesticide Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) as well as EU standards on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade of Iranian pistachio.ย
โข ย ย Assist the International Food Safety Control Specialist for instructing the awareness training workshops for the Ministry of Agriculture, Deputy of Horticulture and office of Nuts and Temperate Fruits, Pistachio Research Institute, etc. and the private sector including Pistachio Association on the scientific basis of setting Codex standards and the Role of JECFA and JMPR for setting Codex standards for aflatoxins and pesticide MRLs; as well as explanation to SPS compliances and addressing trade concerns for export of pistachios and traceability procedures.ย
โข ย ย Assist the International Food Safety Control Specialist to prepare the report of training workshops as well as a procedure for traceability for export of pistachios from Iran.ย
โข ย ย In close collaboration with FAO International Consultant for Laboratory Development and Improvement facilitate reviewing international best practices on applying laboratory mycotoxin quality control and transferring lessons learned to meet EU Regulations 2023/2782 in Iran.ย
โข ย ย Support International Consultant for Laboratory Development and Improvement to assess the methods used for sampling, sample preparation and analysis used for the control of the level of mycotoxins in pistachios at the Iranian Food and Drug Administration Laboratories under the Ministry of Health which is aligned with the EU Regulations 2023/2782. ย ย
โข ย ย Work closely with the International Consultant for the Laboratory to assess how well the national regulations align with EU regulations, both in theory and in practice. Identify any gaps or challenges in this alignment. This should include an assessment of the EU certified labs, such as the FDA labs under the Ministry of Health, as well as the mycotoxin labs in the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad.
โข ย ย Assist the International Consultant for Laboratory Development and Improvement for instructing a training workshop for FDA laboratory chemists and technicians. The workshop should cover proper methods of sampling, sample preparation, and analysis for mycotoxin detection, aligning with EU Regulations 2023/2782. It should also convey the best practices applied in other countries including EU countries as well as address maintenance of analytical equipment, troubleshooting, and best practices for handling and operation.
โข ย ย Support the International Consultant for Laboratory Development and Improvement for developing an action plan that includes a gap analysis and proposes possible improvements for the accurate detection of mycotoxin maximum residue levels, aligning with EU Regulations 2023/2782.
โข ย ย Meet regularly and collaborates with other national/ international project experts of FAO to address cross-cutting issues and be part of synthesizing/collating the results.ย
โข ย ย Undertake field missions to the project pilot sites when and where required.ย
โข ย ย Prepare monthly progress reports. ย
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย
ย ย
โข ย ย Advanced University degree in Food Industries, Analytical Chemistry, Food Science and Technologies, Food Safety, Nutritional Science, Microbiology (with a focus on food safety), Agricultural science, Environmental Health or a related field as appropriate for the assignment.ย
โข ย ย Minimum 5 years of experience in a laboratory setting, preferably in the food or agricultural industry.
โข ย ย National of the Islamic Republic of Iran or resident in the country with a regular work permit.
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English and Farsi.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/ Functional Skills
โข ย ย Proven communication Skills in English and Farsiย
โข ย ย Proven track record in developing and implementing quality control and assurance programs, with a focus on mycotoxin and pesticide residue analysis.
โข ย ย Experience working with international standards and regulatory frameworks related to food safety and quality.
โข ย ย Familiarity with the pistachio industry and the specific challenges faced by the Iranian pistachio sector.
โข ย ย Good knowledge of and working experience with government institutions.
โข ย ย Proficiency in data analysis, report writing, and presenting technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
โข ย ย Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with producers, exporters, and regulatory authorities.
โข ย ย Knowledge and familiarity with Food Safety Regulations including understanding of local, national, and international food safety standards specifically for Pistachio.
โข ย ย Skill in using statistical methods to monitor and control the quality of Pistachio production processes.ย
โข ย ย Ability in work planning, monitoring and maintaining accurate records, preparing reports, and generating documentation related to pistachio safety practices and quality control.
โข ย ย Ability to evaluate and prioritize risks in pistachio production to implement appropriate safety measures.
โข ย ย Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with multiple institutional actors in diverse sectors and at diverse levels, to communicate messages and to promote dialogue.
โข ย ย Familiarity with various laboratory practices related to mycotoxin testing, such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and pH measurement.
โข ย ย Capacity to conduct fieldwork and the ability to work in teams and establish working relationships central and local government institutions and civil society organizations.
โข ย ย Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet).