National Expert on Accreditation and Livestock Food Safety Standards
National Expert on Accreditation and Livestock Food Safety Standards
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Job Description
HOW TO APPLY
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application interview meeting processing).
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries please contact:
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
- Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE ILE LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
- For other issues visit the FAO employment website: will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment accreditation any residency or visa requirements and security clearances.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
FAO seeks gender geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAOMembers in all regions.
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender nationality background and culture
- Qualified female applicants qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold FAOs values
- FAO as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status objectives and mandate including sexual exploitation and abuse sexual harassment abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
- FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through its Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) titled Improving Food Quality of Animal Origin Animal Health and Services through Laboratory Accreditation of the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) aims to support Sri Lanka in securing international accreditation for key veterinary laboratories to ensure availability of safe food of animal origin animal and fish health and other regulatory services. This accreditation will enable the VRI to meet globally recognized standards in quality assurance and regulatory compliance particularly in veterinary diagnostics and food safety.
To achieve this goal FAO is engaging local experts to assist in developing a comprehensive accreditation framework aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 standards. This framework will consist of:
A Quality Manual
Procedure Manuals
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Guidelines Registers Formats Work Instructions and Flow Charts
In a global landscape where markets are increasingly regulated and quality-conscious aligning national laboratory systems with international benchmarks is imperative. For Sri Lanka this alignment is not only essential for safeguarding public and animal health but also for enhancing the credibility safety and export potential of animal-origin products including biologicals and vaccines.
To this end the VRI must sustain modern laboratory infrastructure and ensure the continuous delivery of reliable high-quality diagnostic services. Keeping pace with technological advancements and strengthening the technical capacities of laboratory personnel through ongoing training are critical components of this effort.
Currently the VRI operates five specialized laboratories each playing a pivotal role in the national veterinary and food safety systems:
Central Veterinary Investigation Centre (CVIC): Provides animal disease diagnostics and conducts microbiological quality testing of meat milk eggs and other animal-based products.
Dairy Technology Laboratory (DTL): Conducts comprehensive quality testing of milk and dairy products.
Animal Virus Laboratory (AVL): Specializes in the diagnosis of viral diseases and the development of viral vaccines.
Animal Nutrition Laboratory (ANL): Performs nutritional analysis of animal feed and food of animal origin including testing for aflatoxins antibiotic residues and mineral composition.
Aquaculture Laboratory (AL): Certifies live fish for export in compliance with standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
These laboratories serve a broad range of stakeholders including government agencies private sector enterprises and farming communities. Their collective contribution supports national efforts in animal health food safety and trade facilitation.
Under the provisions of Sri Lankas Food Act the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) is the designated authority responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of animal-origin food products. Thus attaining international accreditation for the VRIs laboratories is both a regulatory requirement and a strategic priority. It is essential for expanding global market access and advancing the countrys agenda for sustainable agricultural and livestock sector development.
This assignment represents a critical step toward establishing a robust accredited and quality-focused veterinary laboratory system in Sri Lankaone that meets national needs and complies with international standards well into the future.
Reporting Lines
The local technical expert will provide technical guidance and support the documentation process required for laboratory accreditation ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards livestock food safety regulations and animal disease diagnostic protocols. The expert will work under the overall administrative leadership and supervision of the FAO Representative in Sri Lanka (FAOR) and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme) and the TCP Operational Specialist.
Technical oversight will be provided by the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at the Office of the ADG/Regional Representative in collaboration with the International Expert on Accreditation for Animal Product Safety and Laboratory Upgrading. The expert is also expected to work in close coordination with the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) to ensure the successful implementation of the accreditation framework.
Technical Focus
The National Expert on Accreditation and Livestock Food Safety Standards will play a key role in achieving the outputs and targets under Expected Result 1 Number of laboratories with accredited facilities for required tests. Specifically the expert will be responsible for developing comprehensive documentation tailored to each laboratorys functions including Quality Manuals Procedure Manuals Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Guidelines Registers Formats Work Instructions and Flow Charts in alignment with relevant accreditation and food safety standards.
Tasks and responsibilities
The expert will be responsible for:
Reviewing existing laboratory systems documentation and practices.
Developing and/or revising the Quality Manual Procedure Manual and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Formats Guidelines Registers work instructions Flow charts in line with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advising on documentation control and quality assurance mechanisms for biological and chemical laboratories.
Ensuring alignment of laboratory procedures with national and international livestock food safety standards.
Ensuring alignment of laboratory procedures with national and international disease diagnosis procedures in livestock and fish.
Providing training and technical guidance to laboratory staff on documentation systems and compliance.
Establishing documentation and ISO 17025 requirements and supporting the preparation for pre-assessments and formal accreditation audits to obtain ISO 17025 Laboratory accreditation status.
Training the relevant staff.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced University degree in Veterinary Science Food Science Laboratory Science or a related field from a recognized university.
Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in developing managing and auditing laboratory documentation systems (e.g. Quality Manuals SOPs Guidelines) in alignment with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation processes.
Demonstrated experience working with biological and chemical laboratories ideally within the livestock and food safety sectorsSound knowledge of livestock food safety standards and quality management systems.
Working knowledge of English together with Sinhala/ Tamil is required.
A National of Sri Lanka or with valid work permit
FAO Core Competencies
Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Selection Criteria
Past proven examples of quality manuals procedure manuals Standard Operation Procedures and Guidelines Registers Formats Work Instructions and Flow Charts as per the function of the laboratories.
Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
Past proven experience of obtained ISO/IEC 17025 status to laboratories in Sri Lanka or elsewhere.
Employment Type
Full-Time
