Codex Programme Specialists

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• 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

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient inclusive resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production better nutrition a better environment and a better life leaving no one behind. FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
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 One Health). 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 Secretariat is establishing a roster of various specialists that can provide short term support to the implementation of specific tasks critical to the work of CAC.
The location of the position may vary according to the specific tasks. The Objective of this Call is to attract suitable individuals to undertake consultancies and/or personal service agreement (PSA) contracts within the Codex Secretariat to support implementation of Codex work in line with the Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2031.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall managerial supervision of the Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission the incumbent will report to the relevant Food Standards Officers in accordance with the subsidiary bodies/Codex activities which they are supporting.

Technical Focus

Incumbents endorsed on the Codex Secretariat Roster (CJW) will provide specialized support in one or more of the following areas of work of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme within the Codex Secretariat in line with the Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2030.
Development updating and finalization of Codex food safety and quality standards
Monitoring and communication of Codex work
Digital infrastructure review development and support

Tasks and responsibilities

Depending on the specific assignment level of expertise and functional area selected by the candidate consultants may be requested to carry out tasks under one or more of the following workstreams:

Development updating and finalization of Codex food safety and quality standards

Support and facilitate the preparatory activities for Codex sessions such as webinars online discussions virtual meetings of working groups and other activities aimed at progressing Codex work; the implementation of Codex meetings and the follow-up actions;
Prepare or contribute to the production of background papers meeting documents briefing notes Conference Room Documents and/or concept notes as well as undertaking data collection and analysis on specific topics relevant to the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission;
Provide technical input and expertise to support the update of complex Codex standards such as those related to maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides and the revised pesticides classification;
Support the assessment of technical data/information in working documents for the preparation of tailor-made circular letters;
Support the compilation review and analysis of comments received on standards under development for strategic-based briefing notes.

Monitoring of and communication of Codex work

Contribute to monitoring of the Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2030 through: data collection compilation review analysis presentation and development of tools to facilitate and streamline the data collection and analysis aspects;
Support the monitoring of the use and impact of Codex texts including the identification of and studies on specific examples on the use of Codex texts;
Support the publication and dissemination of Codex texts and related communication materials.

Digital infrastructure review and support

Support the review of Codex IT systems including the design of new applications using Sitefinity Content Management System (CSM);
Support the review and update of the infrastructure for existing Codex databases;
Support the infrastructure design and development of new databases including the definition of user requirements and facilitate dialogue between users and developers;
Participate in the development and monitoring of assigned projects and provide technical identify issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions liaise with relevant parties identify and track follow-up actions;
Provide project oversight and management of specific digital infrastructure projects ensuring clear communication full engagement of team members timely and efficient delivery;
Support the updating of Codex webpages and related digital tools.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

An advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in food science / food technology (food safety/quality bio/agro chemistry biology microbiology toxicology) human or veterinary medicine animal or plant health (with focus on food safety) nutrition biological or chemical sciences data science and analysis food law information technology communication food trade economics or other discipline relevant to the workstream (for PSA contracts a university degree in the same areas is sufficient).
At least 1 year of relevant experience for junior professionals (Category C); at least 5 years for mid-level professionals (Category B); or at least 10 years for senior professionals (Category A) in one of more of the following areas:
1) Development updating and finalization of Codex food safety and quality standards;
2) Monitoring of and communication of Codex work; and
3) Digital infrastructure review and support
Working knowledge (level C) of English.
Knowledge of a second official FAO language (French Spanish Arabic Chinese or Russian) will be considered an asset.
Work experience from an international setting will be considered an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Strategic thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

Demonstrated experience aligned with the candidates functional area(s) of interest and level of responsibility (junior mid-level or senior) particularly in one or more of the following
oStandards development updating and finalization: Knowledge and familiarity with the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (i.e. procedures and food safety and quality issues addressed by Codex in general or specific to certain committees) is a strong asset; good technical understanding of food safety and quality; strong technical and analytical skills;
oMonitoring and communication of Codex work: Data collection compilation and analysis; coordination and results tracking; science communication through different media;
oDigital infrastructure review and support; ability to review improve and support digital systems and databases; ability to coordinate between stakeholders and developers to meet user needs; project management experience; strong understanding of evolving technologies and their application
Strong organizational coordination and multitasking skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Strong writing and oral skills in English.
Good presentation and facilitation skills.
Demonstrated capacity to adapt to new fields situations and different cultural settings.
Ability to solve problems use initiative and work strategically and independently.

Selection Criteria

Extent and relevance of experience in the selected functional area(s) of work 1) Development updating and finalization of Codex food safety and quality standards 2) Monitoring and communication of Codex work and 3) Digital infrastructure review and support;
Extent of experience in a standard setting organization a national or regional regulatory authority a national governmental or private standards setting bodies or an international governmental or non-governmental organization contributing to standard setting;
Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines and shifting priorities;
Proven capacity to manage multiple responsibilities coordinate with diverse stakeholders and work independently with minimal supervision;
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment;
Proficiency in English.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

To apply visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications and language skills
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application

Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work character education military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
Incomplete applications will not be considered
Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAOs behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications assessment tests background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by withdrawing your application in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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