Food Technologist – NOB – Islamabad

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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, pension, leave plus medical insurance (relevant links).

*Remote work may be possible depending upon the operational requirements of the Programme.

Requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the personal circumstances of the requestor given the operational situation.

JOB PURPOSE

To collect, analyse and report on information as a basis for maximising the efficiency of food technology activities and enhancing food risk assessment and management in country operations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Provide technical advice for the development of WFP specialized nutritious foods (SNFs); lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS), high energy biscuits (HEB), fortified blended foods (FBF) etc., and identify local production capacity for processed and non-processed food commodities.
2. Provide technical advice and guidance to WFP on product technical specifications, food processing, fortification, and the food safety and quality management system (FSQMS).
3. Provide overall technical guidance to the nutrition team on the implementation of the nutrition fortification projects in close coordination with public and private sector.
4. Provide technical input/review in the management of food procurement and quality control.
5. Provide advice on food quality assurance and management to prevent losses and improve the commodity management capacity in country.
6. Provide technical advice to suppliers and monitor the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
7. Conduct supplier technical assessments and factory audits for new and existing food suppliers to ensure compliance with the Food Safety and Quality Management System (FSQMS).
8. Establish and maintain the collaboration with laboratories and R&D institutes in order to improve test methods for analysis of humanitarian food assistance commodities and conduct product stability and shelf-life studies.
9. Propose adequate measures to mitigate food losses (i.e., situation analysis, sampling, food analysis, laboratory results interpretation, etc.) and manage Corrective Actions and Preventive Actions (CAPA) in case of non-conformance issues.
10. Review and provide advice on the procedures for mitigating and documenting food quality and safety issues during storage of SNFs in warehouses.
11. Collate and analyze data related to food quality and safety, and provide food technology advice and guidance to food manufacturers/suppliers on food processing, packaging, and related technical information for ongoing WFP food contracts.
12. Develop training modules on food technology related subjects (specifications, monitoring protocols, quality, and food safety systems, etc.), and provide training to WFP staff, third party food inspection companies, food processors, and other stakeholders.
13. Contribute to preparedness actions such as early warning, food safety risk analysis and contingency planning and make necessary recommendations, as well as periodically monitor the management of food safety risks and report on any actions taken.
14. Participate in joint activities with other UN agencies for technical discussions on product development, specifications, interagency supplier audits and quality assurance implementation.
15. Work closely with supply chain and programme colleagues at both HQ/RBB and country office level to ensure that measures are in place to provide premix to WFP suppliers on a needs basis. Support Supply Chain on Food System especially but not limited to fortification, climate friendly initiatives, policy, and governance pillars.
16. Support local millers in forming linkages with the social safety nets/school meal/livelihood programmes.
17. Support key medium-sized millers supported through MOH, involving identification of equipment needs and leading on staff capacity building.
18. Undertake additional tasks as required ensuring that the various project objectives are achieved.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Lead the development and implementation of activity plans for the National Fortification Alliance and SUN Business Network and overseeing and delivering activities that identify, develop, and maintain partnerships and maximize nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive interventions. This also includes ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of results in accordance with WFP and the corporate strategy, including through the implementation of the WFP Pakistan Country Strategy Plan.
• Strengthen and rationalize the national technical structures where fortification is discussed to ensure the roll out of the national policy and strategy on fortification.
• Technical support to the WFP commercialization of SNFs programme together with and look for opportunities to expand the scope in close partnership with other stakeholders.
• Overall technical support and management of small scale (Chakkis) and large-scale wheat flour fortification programmes in Pakistan.
• Lead the pilot-scale rice fortification programme in close coordination with MATCO, DSM, NFA-PFA and HQ Fortification/commercialization team under the south-south cooperation funding.
• Strengthen national capacity through the provision of technical support and guidance on capital investment so that local small to medium sized millers can produce locally fortified flour for the market in line with national standards.
• Ensure project reporting, both financial and programmatic are provided on time and in coordination with other country office units in particular finance, supply chain and other programme units.
• Work closely with the communications unit to ensure that WFP’s work on fortification is highlighted and shared with national stakeholders.
• Prepare, initiate, and provide inputs in new funding proposals and document progress made and lessons learned from the projects.
• Manage a portfolio of partnerships, soliciting contributions, providing donor stewardship, forecasting, negotiating changes and assessing results, to maximize resources raised.
• Collaborate with counterparts in other UN agencies to ensure consistency in humanitarian information and to complement WFP analysis and information.
• Advise management on strategic entry points opportunities and relations with donors, the government, NGOs, private sector, and develop strategies to widen the current donor pool and partners opportunities.
• Others as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree in Food Technology, Health Sciences, Food Control, Nutrition or other related field, or First University degree with additional 2 years of related work experience at professional / managerial level.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. and the duty station’s language, if different.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• 4 years of professional / managerial level experience with progressively increasing responsibilities in the field of nutrition and health and/or food technology in low income and/or middle-income environments.
• Working experience with I/NGO and/or UN will be an asset.
• Proven experience managing complex multi-stakeholder projects in a related field either as a team leader or a manager of a specific output
• Experience working on a food-based response to the prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies
• Experience of working with local millers/local producers. Ideally the candidate will have previous experience in providing technical support to small and medium sized millers and will have an understanding of the challenges which are faced in fortifying at a decentralized level
• Experience of working with the private sector showing an understanding of the role of the private sector in response to malnutrition.
• Has worked in emergency response capacity.
• Has experience implementing food technology related tools and protocol.
• Has experience working on food assistance programs development projects.
• Act as a mentor to junior staff.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This job is based in Country Office, Islamabad. Job holder report to the Head of Programme unit or the designate. Job holders operate with a high degree of independence, may provide technical support to specific food processing initiatives, and are involved in day–to-day activities and analytical work.

Under overall guidance of the supervisor, WFP Pakistan is seeking a collaborative member of a team who can apply specialized expertise in the area of food technology and is able to conduct analytical work. The candidate should have expertise in food quality control and management, loss mitigation, food technology and supervision of fortification activities, along with other aspects related to food technology. The candidate should be able to develop regular and ad hoc reports and be ab le to establish and maintain effective work relationships with all stakeholders. The Food Technologist will also support the Pakistan SUN Business Network and National Fortification Alliance and use these platforms to leverage public and private sector engagement both in rural and urban settings.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

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