UNDP Jobs - 55526- Alimentary Items National Quality Assurance System

Alimentary Items National Quality Assurance System 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 :

40 Days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

40 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 whenever deemed necessary utilize abroad facilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

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 MCIA teams to collect necessary data to assess the situation of the existing alimentary items quality assurance, legal framework, policies and systems (with special focus on food, food products and water) both imported and locally produced;
Review existing data and information to identify and document the best practices for implementing alimentary items quality assurance;
Conduct key informant interviews with stakeholders to propose a national policy for alimentary items quality assurance;
Develop and consult on a list of key essential items selection of top urgent commodities; import, export or local market will be submitted by the importer, exporter or local producer accordingly for certification and inspection;
Identify the optimal approach and propose a mechanism/plan for institutional and human resource capacities arrangement for implementing alimentary items quality assurance;
Propose the optimal coordination arrangement for alimentary items quality assurance.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Ability to work under pressure, effectively coordinate and advise a research team, and meet tight deadlines without compromising on the quality of work, and being flexible;
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills;
Excellent presentation skills;
Demonstrated capacity and expertise in developing national food policies and systems in Developing Countries;
Familiarity with theory and proactive of system development.

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.

Experience:

A minimum 10 years of working experience preferably in national and/or international development context;
5 years of relevant experience in alimentary items quality assurance development;
Experience working in many different countries, familiarity with Timor-Leste is an asset;
Experience working with private sector and social enterprises;
Experience in policy advisory services and working with government institutions;
Experience working in South East Asia and Pacific for national system strengthening is preferred.

Language:

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