Overview
To provide regional leadership and technical guidance on food safety and quality across Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting country offices to implement WFP standards, strengthen risk management, and ensure safe, quality food assistance.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement policies and procedures for FSQA approach alignment and compliance.
- Provide expert technical guidance to country offices on food safety and quality in programme design and implementation.
- Lead the establishment of field operations protocols for risk and incident management.
- Oversee and facilitate field operations systems for prevention and mitigation of FSQA issues.
- Develop relationships and collaborate with relevant functions to establish and implement policies and guidelines for food safety and quality throughout the WFP supply chain.
- Provide technical oversight and guidance on supplier food safety and quality management.
- Support country offices in identifying and managing FSQ risks related to local and regional food procurement, CBT linked food delivery, fresh food operations, school feeding and nutrition sensitive programming.
- Advise country offices on engagement with national and regional food authorities, standards bodies, laboratories and inspection services.
- Support the adoption and effective use of corporate FSQ tools, data systems and reporting mechanisms.
- Develop and nurture productive relationships and strategic partnerships with senior stakeholders.
- Advise on innovative research related to FSQA assurance, packaging, and principles.
- Provide expert advice and technical guidance to WFP staff, partners and governments.
- Lead and provide expert guidance to enhance national food systems by strengthening the capacity of local and regional quality infrastructure institutions.
- Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely accounting, data collection and reporting.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration and knowledge exchange across supply chain functions.
- Lead and motivate a team providing coaching, training and guidance.
- Take responsibility for an equitable and inclusive workplace.
- Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required.
Required Experience
Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in Food Safety and Quality and/or working across procurement, logistics, and supply chain management, leading integrated operations, with additional relevant training in food safety and quality. Experience working in regional, international or multi-country roles, supporting operations across diverse regulatory and food system environments. Experience developing supply chain strategies and policies specifically for food safety and quality management. Experience leveraging data to support decision-making and advise senior leadership and partners. Experience leading cross-functional initiatives. Experience developing productive partnerships with external counterparts, positioning WFP as a partner of choice. Experience working with food safety and quality systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, including engagement with national food control authorities, suppliers, laboratories, inspection bodies and local food procurement programmes, is highly desirable. Experience operating in humanitarian or emergency contexts. Demonstrated experience in managing and supervising others, with ability to effectively coach and mentor staff.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree in Food Technology, Health Sciences, Food Control, Nutrition or other related field highly desirable, or First University degree with two additional years of related work experience in food safety.
