UNDP Jobs - 55525- Alimentary Items National Laboratory Facilities an

Alimentary Items National Laboratory Facilities and Systems Consultant

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

05-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 Days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 Days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

As one of the youngest nations in the world Timor Leste is facing many development challenges is the lack of systematic approach to quality assurance and safety for the alimentary products and goods. The responsibility and concerned with improving the safety and quality of alimentary produces availed to the domestic market and the quality of the Timorese products aimed for export to compete in the global market is a common responsibility of MOH, MCIA and MOA.

Currently MCIA teams are engaged in planning for the establishment of a national laboratory for quality control to undertake chemical and organic analyses of local products and also imported products to protect consumers. The upcoming laboratory would be placed under the authority of the Alimentary and Economic Inspection within MCIA; however it is envisaged that sometime before the national facility is fully functional.

Since both the protection of the consumers and encouragement of exports are top urgent immediate challenges to be addressed by MCIA, accordingly MCIA decided to proceed in two tracks simultaneously:

Long term intervention for establishing a national reference lab;
Respond to the immediate demands and quick impact programme for national quality assurance certification utilizing the existing facilities in the country e.g. in the water cooperation and the Ministry of Health and wherever deemed necessary utilize abroad facilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

In order to respond to the immediate needs of MCIA for alimentary items inspection and testing for quality assurance and consumer protection, UNDP social business project requires the expertise of international consultant to support the MCIA and the government of Timor Leste to assess the current existing systems and recommend/design a national system for alimentary items quality assurance. Under the guidance of the SB CTA and working directly with management of the private Sector Company and MCIA inspection team the expert is expected to:

Work closely with the government counterparts to assess the existing lab testing facilities in the country;
Review and include all related services and spaces as per their purported functional and technical uses;
Provide recommendation for upgrading or addition to the existing national laboratories;
Draw guidelines for sound, cost efficient and professional management as per international standard;
Provide minimum professional requirements (Terms of References) for laboratory staff;
Recommend number of staff for laboratory and key technical and maintenance service;
Train laboratory staff as per international standard.

Competencies

Ability to work under pressure;
Effectively coordinate and advise a research team;
Meet tight deadlines without compromising on the quality of work, and being flexible;
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills;
Excellent presentation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Complete Master’s Degree in Laboratory and Food Protection and Quality Assurance, Food Technology, Food and Drugs Policy, Public Policy, Social Science or related field from a recognized institution.

Years of Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of working experiences preferably in national and/or international development context;
5 years of relevant experience in alimentary items, food and water safety laboratory;
Familiarity with theory and proactive of system development.
Demonstrated capacity and expertise in developing national policies and systems in Developing Countries;
Experience working in many different countries in South East Asia and Pacific in developing national system strengthening;
Experience working with private sector and social enterprises;
Experience in policy advisory services and working with government institutions;

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in written and spoken English;
Knowledge and ability to communicate and write in one of the languages;
Tetun, Portuguese, or Bahasa Indonesia is an asset.

Application documents and forms are available via this link.

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