Food Technologist
Organization: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
Duty Station: Bogotá, Colombia
Reporting to: Deputy Country Director of Operations
Duration: One Year (Renewable)
Type of Contract: Fixed Term (NOA level)
Number of Posts: One
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: The World food Programme (WFP) is the food aid arm of the United Nations and is committed to fighting hunger worldwide. WFP has been operational in Colombia since 1969; however, the nature of support extended by WFP in Colombia has evolved over a period of time from providing food to a more catalytic role in reducing vulnerability and eliminating food insecurity and malnutrition through technical assistance. WFP through the current Country Strategic Plan (CSP) (2021- 2024) focusses on enhancing the systemic efficiency and nutritional effectiveness of the various food-based safety nets in support of the efforts of the Government of Colombia.
The Country Strategic Plan is designed around cross-cutting concerns that guide its interventions and enhance its transformative potential, both in rural and urban areas. Thus, it is designed to be gender-transformative, nutrition sensitive, environmentally and socially aware, adaptive to climate change and inclusive and protective of the needs of various people, including indigenous and Afro-descendant people. It also addresses the specific needs of people with disabilities and formulates solutions for their integration. WFP will work with the United Nations country team and in strong strategic and operational partnership and coordination with the Colombian Government and its institutions at the central and local levels, as well as with other United Nations agencies, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and civil society entities, fostering partnerships with donors and other cooperation actors so that the expected results are fully achieved and a decisive contribution is made to accomplishing zero hunger and the end of malnutrition in the country.
OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION: The Food Technologist, under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director of Operations, and as an integral part of the Operations Area will be responsible for supporting and contributing towards the projects and programs of the Country Office with a specific focus on the various food technology and safety interventions embedded in them.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: The incumbent will be responsible for the following:
- Provide technical support to the fortification process of food required by WFP.
- Contribute towards the development of project proposals/concept notes, implementation plans, terms of reference for various vendors and processes while ensuring incorporation of food technology inputs into the various nutrition projects as appropriate.
- Provide project management support to the nutrition programmes in coordination with the country office, field offices and other cross functional units to ensure that the various activities are performed within the established targets adhering to project timelines and in line with WFP's policies and procedures.
- Support development of and follow data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring alignment with the overall country office objectives.
- Analyze WFP and national government policies/procedures on nutrition and food-based safety net schemes, including operational issues, as well as undertake research and development activities related to the various proposed food products required in WFP nutrition projects, not limited to shelf-life analysis, acceptability testing. etc.
- Review nutrition project reports and contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reports on the larger nutrition programmes and activities with a specific focus on collation/ analysis of reports relating to food quality and safety, for effective delivery of the country office projects. Report analysis is expected to be used for recommendations to supervisors, ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and to inform risk management / mitigation on food technology aspects of the projects.
- Support the country office and specially the Supply Chain Unit in the capacity building of WFP staff, cooperating partners and national government counterparts as need be for the various nutrition projects encompassing food safety, hygiene and food technology issues.
- Assist in the development of information, education and communication material and strategies focusing on food safety and quality, handling and hygiene practices relevant to the nutrition projects.
- Coordinate and liaise with both requesting units and government counterparts to establish appropriate food and safety quality control and assurance mechanisms along with their implementation and rigorous monitoring.
- Foster relationships and support partnership-building with local partners, agencies, NGOs and relevant food science/technology government institutions to further WFP technical assistance to government.
- Provide guidance to Supply Chain Unit and other Units in consultation with the supervisor and assist them with review laboratory analysis, preparation technical specifications, queries, etc.
- In case of food safety incidents, support investigation exercises to document and share lessons learned to reduce recurrence of the incident.
- Ensure that food purchased for the office complies with WFP specifications, and that inspection companies adhere to the requirements of the stipulated scope of work.
- Perform other related duties as required.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR
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Leads by Example with Integrity |
Upholds WFP values, principles, and standards Demonstrates and encourages others to uphold the WFP values, principles and standards |
Respects others and values diversity Values diversity using respectful and inclusive language, and encourages others to do the same |
Stays focused and calm under pressure Stays focused and calm when under pressure and encourages others to do the same |
Demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn Shows humility and a willingness to learn and share knowledge, frequently seeking and acting on feedback, and taking up opportunities to develop |
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Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments |
Delivers results for maximum impact Holds self and/or others accountable for the delivery of results |
Delegates appropriately Delivers results against delegated tasks and seeks guidance and support where needed |
Adapts readily to change Responds readily to change adjusting work as needed |
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Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative |
Is inclusive and collaborative Promotes inclusive teamwork and psychological safety by sharing ideas and openly raising issues |
Gives timely and constructive feedback Supports development for others by giving timely and constructive feedback |
Builds and shares new perspectives Listens attentively to others to capture, learn, build and share new perspectives |
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Applies Strategic Thinking |
Communicates and fulfils WFP’s vision Fulfils WFP’s vision and is able to explain how their objectives support the vision |
Embraces curiosity and new ways of doing things Demonstrates curiosity, and proposes new ways of doing things when relevant |
Analyses and evaluates data Gathers data and shares knowledge to inform team decision making |
Considers the impact of decisions Implements decisions and asks questions to understand the impact for wider objectives |
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Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships |
Builds partnerships Builds partnerships by seeking out opportunities to work with others |
Collaborates to deliver common objectives Collaborates with partners by sharing information and working together to deliver common goals |
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FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES:
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Capability Name |
Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level |
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Supply Chain Strategy |
Demonstrates understanding of supply chain strategies and corporate frameworks. Supports analytical and conceptual work on supply chain strategy and implementation. |
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Supply Chain Planning |
Demonstrates robust understanding of supply chain planning in operational contexts. Designs plans and operational scenarios in collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders. Leverages expert intelligence and system data to conduct planning analytics. |
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Supply Chain & Networks Management |
Demonstrates robust understanding of end-to-end supply chain management. Supports the design and implementation of supply chain, retail and partnership networks. Supports the design and integrated delivery of supply chain services. |
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Supply Chain Capacity Strengthening |
Demonstrates robust understanding of supply chain capacity strengthening in operational contexts. Implements capacity development initiatives in own area of responsibility. |
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Supply Chain Performance & Development |
Supports integrated supply chain information management and conducts advanced Supply Chain and performance analytics. Contributes to supply chain improvement and innovation initiatives. |
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Advanced university degree in food technology; food sciences; food control, food safety or other related
fields or First University degree with additional two (2) years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
Experience:
