Organizational Setting

The Secretariat of the Joint FAO/World Health Organization (WHO) Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), which is the executive organ of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, is located in the Joint FAO/WHO Centre (Codex Food Standards and Zoonotic diseases) in FAO Headquarters, Rome. The Secretariat is under the programmatic responsibility of the relevant Deputy Director-General and Assistant Director-General of FAO and WHO respectively, while administratively under the supervision of the FAO Deputy Director-General of the Natural Resources and Sustainable Production Stream.

The Secretariat is administered in accordance with the rules and regulations of FAO. It services the sessions of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies and acts as liaison between the Commission and interested sectors of FAO and WHO as well as the World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations and other international governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with the safety, quality and trade aspects of food standards.

The position is located in the Joint FAO/WHO Centre (CJWC) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Food Standards Officer reports to the Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and supervises professional and support staff and affiliate workforce.

Technical Focus

This Senior Food Standards Officer role combines technical expertise in food safety and quality and standard setting with leadership, negotiation and management responsibilities. The incumbent will represent the Codex Secretariat in high-level multilateral settings, requiring technical insight, sound judgment, diplomatic skills, and professional presence to engage effectively with 189 Members and over 240 Observers and international partners. The role demands the ability to lead with confidence, foster collaboration and consensus, and ensure delivery of Codex standards and related texts in line with the Codex Strategic Plan.

Key Results

Provide technical guidance and leadership for the management of the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission to ensure effective delivery in line with the Codex Strategic Plan and its goals and outcomes. Foster internal and external work relations (FAO, WHO, Codex Members and Observer Organizations), in particular with regards to assuring that all Members can equally contribute to and have access to Codex work results and promotes recognition and use of Codex standards.

Key Functions

Technical leadership, coordination and implementation

• Provides strategic direction and technical guidance for the work of Codex Subsidiary bodies and in particular when dealing with new issues and challenges.

• Leads the Codex Secretariat teams supporting selected technical Codex subsidiary bodies and provides procedural guidance as well as options to Members to facilitate standards development and support consensus building.

• Leads the preparation, quality assurance, and timely publication of reports, working papers, and standards, related to meetings of the CAC and its Executive Committee and subsidiary bodies.

• Works closely with Food Standards Officers and team members, leading the work of other subsidiary bodies, and facilitates exchange of information between different subsidiary bodies and ensure consistency of approach across these bodies.

• Leads assessment of emerging technical and policy and procedural issues relevant to Codex work and develops working papers as required.

• Reviews and advises on proposals for new Codex standard setting work.

• Contributes to the development and monitoring of the Codex Strategic Plan.

Strategic Leadership. Negotiation - Management

• Provides strategic advice and direction for the planning and implementation of Codex sessions and subsidiary bodies (approximately 15-20 per year) and directs support to the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its Executive Committee.

• Supervises and mentors staff, fostering a culture of team-work, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Coordinates daily matters during the absence of the Codex Secretary when required.

Representation - Partnerships

• Represents the Codex Secretariat at international and national meetings, expert consultations, and multilateral fora.

• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships with FAO, WHO, WTO, and other relevant organizations.

• Advocates for Codex work globally and support Members in engaging effectively in Codex processes.

• Leads and\or participates in resource management and mobilization activities.

Communication and Engagement

• Fosters and ensures effective exchange of information between the Codex Secretariat and Members and Observers of the Commission.

• Promotes recognition of Codex standards within the evolving global context with the goal of enhancing and demonstrating the impact of CACs work.

• Leads, coordinates and engages in outreach efforts to support optimal engagement in Codex work.

• Supports strengthening of, and advances innovation in Codex work management systems and practices.

• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following: food science, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, nutrition, agricultural or veterinary science; international food law; public health; or related subjects relevant to the work of the Codex Secretariat.

• Ten years of relevant experience in the development and/or application of science-based food safety and quality standards, and/or food safety/quality related public policy, or food control.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Leading, Engaging and Empowering

• Communication

• Partnering and Advocating

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.

• Knowledge of the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission is a strong asset.

• Extent of experience and technical knowledge in one of more of the food safety and quality standard setting areas covered by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

• Demonstrated evidence of sound judgment, and the ability to facilitate consensus building, promote collaboration and inclusiveness and lead with confidence in multilateral and/or multisectoral environments.

• Demonstrated experience in analysis of technical and policy issues, related to food safety, quality and standards and identification and presentation of solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with both internal and external collaborators in different contexts.

• Extent of experience in intergovernmental, governmental or non-governmental organization settings at the international level and intergovernmental negotiations and multilateral fora related to food safety and trade.