Food Safety and Quality Intern
JOB PURPOSE
Food Safety & Quality
(FSQ) has been identified as a corporate risk considering the increase in
WFP’s operational and programmatic requirements. A growing percentage of food
is being purchased locally/regionally and the food basket has expanded to
include more processed foods, fruits and vegetables etc. along with the
traditional grains and pulses e.g. inclusion of UHT milk in Burundi for school
meals
The complexity of the food
basket increases the risk of potential food incidents that pose serious threats
to WFP operations including;
a. health and safety
risks to beneficiaries.
b. Lead to widespread
regulatory concern that disrupts the pipeline;
c. Affect WFP’s
reputation by raising partners and donor concerns
Developing and maintaining a robust Quality Assurance system within RBN across the value chain: from food sourcing (supplier base development), distribution, to the last mile becomes top priority. Other priorities include integrating FSQ into CBT, School meals, Food Systems, and Nutrition activities like Food Fortification.
The following are some of
the existing skills and those desired to augment the team’s capacity:
• Food Safety and
Quality Management Systems implementation in food processing and supply chain
• Supplier Quality
Assurance & evaluation
• FSQ Lead auditing
skills against global food safety standards
• Incident management
and root cause analysis methodologies
• Food technology e.g.,
food fortification, food processing technologies, sampling and testing methods
• Continuous improvement
tools, e.g. Statistical process control, Total Quality Management in Supply
Chain
The opportunity will
provide the identified intern with hands-on experience and professional
exposure that can lead to a future career in the Food safety and Quality field
within WFP or elsewhere including private sector.
During the training
period, the intern will also support the very lean FSQ team with activities
stipulated in the work plan around the RBN FSQ priorities.
Qualifications
- Currently
enrolled with at least two years undergraduate studies completed, or
recently graduated (within the last year) in Food Science and Technology,
Biochemistry/Chemistry, Biology/Microbiology, Chemical Engineering or
other applicable course with interest in food quality as a career, or
- Currently
enrolled or recent graduate of an advanced university degree (Masters or
equivalent)
- Fluent
in English (both oral and written) is a must; knowledge of a second UN
language, preferably French, would be an asset.
- Strong
computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft applications (word, Excel,
PowerPoint)
- Experience
in google suite applications will be an asset
Duties & Responsibilities
(not all-inclusive)
- Random
review of commodity inspection reports to establish compliance to
contractual requirements (FSQ components), identifying testing/inspection
gaps and gaps in testing methodologies which will ensure Inspection
Company adhere to the validated testing methods.
- Supporting
in food quality incidents investigations by ensuring all information
needed from the field (CO) is available for the RB FSQAO/FT and HQ to
respond accordingly
- Food
inspection data collation and analysis, generation of quality trackers for
different commodities which will also become basis for supplier
performance evaluation
- Food
quality deviations tracking together with corrective actions status to
inform continual improvement status by suppliers in managing processes.
- Collating
all corrective and preventive actions from food incidents, supplier
audits, food non-conformities to ensure tracking of root cause analysis
and CAPA closure
- Coordinating
Compliance Testing process to ensure samples are submitted to the
contracted Laboratory and results update timely in the system.
- Responding
to urgent CO needs and liaising with FSQAO/FT if need be where escalation
is required e.g verifying specifications, reviewing food quality reports,
verifying if local regulatory requirements exist or are updated for
particular commodities, applicable food standards etc.
- Prepare
monthly incidents & corrective actions status, Food Release Status
Report and any other reports as may be advised from time to time for all
commodities in collaboration with the technical team.
- Collating
information on emerging food safety risks, food safety and quality related
intelligence/information from media, journals etc. and researching on
actions to verify and mitigate.
- Providing
any technical guidance/support when called upon by any other unit.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Adaptability
and ability to work in team environment
- Strong
interpersonal communication skills
- Prioritization
and organizational skills
- Data
analysis skills
- Clear
concise reporting skills
- Task
execution and follow through skills with relevant documentation
SUCCESS CRITERIA
- Comprehensive understanding
of WFP’s FSQ implementation and procedures – both in Supply Chain and in
different Programs- become a key part of management of FSQA activities
- Improved
data analysis to inform decisions based on collated and analysed data from
inspections
- Accuracy
in specifications in tenders and in test reports
- Good
grasp of Supplier quality evaluation criteria and procedure- Involvement
in supplier audit/performance review/development.
- Successful
Incidents tracking as a measure of improved controls-able to fully assist
with managing the WFP FSQ Incident management report and presenting for
review
DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS
- Compliance
and FOSTER utilisation status and challenges/opportunities – Monthly
- Analytical
trend analysis (quality trackers) for all the processed foods and
suppliers- Monthly.
- Updated
monthly incidents reports with, root cause analysis, corrective action
status and value/loss from all the COs in RBN
MILESTONES
- Ability
to understand the key procedures in the FSQ manual and how they should be
implemented and guide relevant teams as such.
- Be
able to identify technical gaps in food specifications, inspection
reports, contracts, analytical methods and recommend as appropriate.
- Preparation
of outlined technical reports collaboratively with colleagues in RBN and
COs with minimal guidance.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Interns
receive a monthly stipend from WFP depending on the duty station of
assignment (i.e. Nairobi).
- This
position is not
remote and will be based in Nairobi,
Kenya for the entirety of the contract.
- WFP
is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation,
necessary visas and related costs.
- WFP
will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised institutions
that have been certified by competent international or national
authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
- The
internship duration is 8 months, full-time.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
- The
deadline for receiving applications for this position is February 01, 2023
- Applications
for this position will close at 11:59 p.m. (East African Time) on the
deadline date.
- Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of
the selection process.
- WFP
embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a
team that celebrates diversity and inclusivity in all ways.
- Employment
is decided on the basis of competitive selection, qualifications and merit.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
All employment decisions
are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and
individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment
free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of
harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected
candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.