Food Safety

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**ABOUT WFP**:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to end global hunger. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that **n**o** child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. Present in nearly 80 countries, the organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to the lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas. We manage an operating budget of approximately $5.9 billion each year, distributing 12.6 billion rations to those most in need. We reach an average of 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries each year. The World Food Programme office in Johannesburg is a Regional Office coordinating and supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance and providing technical support to 12 Southern Africa countries including, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

**ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT**:
These jobs are found in Country Offices (COs), Regional Bureaux (RBs), and Headquarters (HQ). Job holders performing front office management functions typically report to the Division Director or Country Directors. In cases where these positions support a specific business stream, the reporting line may be to the Head of Unit or Chief.
At this level job holders are expected to demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to queries with only general guidance. They have responsibility for undertaking specialised business support work, such as organisation and coordination of work. There is a requirement to use judgment in dealing with unforeseen problems on a daily basis. Job holders are expected to manage resources, and coach and/or coordinate a team of support staff.

**JOB PURPOSE**:
To perform food safety and quality-related activities in support of the Supply chain Unit to ensure effective implementation of integrated Food Safety and Quality Management System across Regional Bureau for Southern Africa (RBJ), operations.

The Business Support Associate, FSQ will report directly to the Regional Food Technologist under close supervision of the Regional Food Safety and Quality Assurance Officer. The incumbent shall also work in close collaboration with other internal stakeholders such as Supply chain Unit, Nutrition Unit, Headquarters (Food Quality and Safety unit) and Country Offices where RBJ operates.

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)**:
The incumbent will predominantly be responsible for a variety of assignments including but not limited to the following areas:
**Food Safety and Quality Management System (FSQMS) - Compliance reviews**:

- Support in reviewing food tender to ensure inclusion of right specifications in food tenders and supporting documents like packaging specifications where applicable
- Implement product spot/compliance testing programme and coordinate with relevant Country Office focal points to ensure all protocols of sampling, dispatch, result in interpretation and raising non-conforming in case of any deviation observed

**Food vendor management - supplier technical matrix and profile management**:

- Support ineffective implementation of food vendor management with the focus on the supplier evaluation, updated matrix and maintaining the latest repository of supporting FSQ related documents for active and potential suppliers

**Food inspection and testing services for ongoing operations**:

- Support in performance management of appointed inspection companies and track performance through food safety and quality management software (FOSTER) and dashboard
- Conduct daily activity review reports as per the scope of work for the inspection services

Food incident management - tracking and closure of incidents
- In an event of food safety incidents during the pre/post-shipment stage and because of confirmed non-conformance through spot testing, register food incidents through the digital portal and ensure timely closure

**Data management and FSQ reporting**:

- Support the supply chain team in collating and analysing the data that will contribute to the preparation of reports relating to food quality and safety, inform risk management and mitigation plans, and contribute to an organizational view of food technology activities
- Prepare monthly and quarterly reports for food safety and quality unit

**Other**:

- Training and capacity building related to food safety and quality
- Local food product