Senior Food Safety Officer

Food Safety Officer (2600675)
Fixed‑term, two years with possibility of extension
CCOG Code: 1H
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialist agency of the United Nations. The Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF) provides strategic leadership for FAO’s support to member countries in developing improved food safety and more sustainable agrifood systems. This division works closely with other technical units at headquarters and in the decentralized offices to integrate scientific and economic analyses into policy guidance and targeted investments.
The Food Safety Officer reports to the Senior Food Safety Officer, ESF.
Effective management of food safety and official food control measures to improve food safety at national, regional, and global levels.
Provide comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development, and implementation of division programmes, projects, products, and services related to food safety and food controls in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Plan and lead components of multidisciplinary teams; lead or participate in cross‑committee, project, and working group activities.
Develop technical, analytical, monitoring, and reporting frameworks, tools, and databases to support planning, implementation, and monitoring of work programmes.
Design and conduct research, data collection, validation, analysis, and reporting to support technical standards and policy proposals.
provide advice and solutions to decentralized offices and field projects.
Collaborate on capacity‑development and knowledge‑sharing activities, including preparing learning materials and online tools.
Lead assessment of national food control systems to identify capacity‑development needs.
Guide formulation and implementation of national and regional projects to strengthen food safety and control systems.
Develop training materials and technical guidance documents; implement training programmes.
Analyze country‑specific requirements in food safety and control policies for budgeting and resource mobilization.
Provide technical and policy advice to decentralized offices in project implementation.
Support partnerships with non‑government stakeholders, civil society, donors, and the private sector.
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in food science, food technology, veterinary public health, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, or related field.
Seven years of relevant experience in advising, implementing, and managing food control programmes and public sector food‑safety policies.
Working knowledge of English (proficiency – level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
Experience working in multiple locations or fields, analysis and assessment of official food control systems, capacity development programmes, and policy making processes.
Other benefits include dependency allowances, rental subsidy, education grant for children, home leave travel, 30 working days of annual leave, pension fund entitlements, international health insurance (optional life insurance), and disability protection.
Extension of fixed‑term appointments is based on performance certification and fund availability.
FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
complete your online profile with accurate employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills.
Attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
Ensure higher‑education qualifications are accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) and align with ISCED mappings.