• Country: Monrovia, Liberia
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: UNIDO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-02-08

PROJECT CONTEXT

More than ever food security, food supply shortages, related distribution challenges and required transformation of food systems towards enhanced resilience and sustainability are on the spotlight of the global development agenda. Due to the global poly-crisis that the world is facing – the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of climate change, conflicts and economic downturn – the prospect for food security is gloomy.

With the underlying principle of the interdependence of food security and food safety, and in response to the challenge, the EU has identified ‘enhancing and preserving natural resources for sustainable growth’ and ‘promoting decent jobs and economic growth’ as priority area #1 and #2, respectively, in its multi-annual indicative programme for Liberia for the period 2021 – 2027.

Against the above, this food safety project has been designed within the framework of the progamme ‘From productivity to product, linking peers to peers (P2P)’, which aims at boosting safe and sustainable food systems growth for enhanced food and nutrition security, a programme that was signed between the EU and the GoL in June 2023 within the EU-Liberia Development Partnership for 2021-2027.

In line with the priorities as reflected in relevant national primary legislation, this project aims at boosting trade in and safe consumption of locally produced food by enhancing food safety practices and compliance along selected value chains (i.e. rice, fish, cassava, cocoa & coffee). It comprises a holistic range of food safety related interventions at macro, meso and micro level with a strong demand-driven approach and is planned to span over a period of four and half years (January 2024- June 2028).

Below outcomes and outputs were reconfirmed in intensive national stakeholder consultations that included representatives of relevant line Ministries, Consumer and Producer Associations, staff from the Liberian Standards Authority and its National Standards Lab, relevant UN Agencies, other complementary ongoing UNIDO projects and the EU.

Outcome 1 (MACRO level) – Enhanced efficiency of the national food control system based on an upgrade of the country’s regulatory framework and its food standard-setting functions, including through reinforcement with a voluntary national third-party food safety assurance programme.

Output 1.1 – Recommendations towards enhanced food safety regulatory oversight submitted for the selected value chains in the form of an actionable upgrading roadmap to all concerned Ministries, Authorities and Committees for endorsement and implementation.

Output 1.2 – Strengthened regulatory framework and operations, in particular in regard to food risk-based inspection services being rendered in the country, and enhanced food standard-setting functions as relevant for the selected value chains.

Outcome 2 (MESO level) – In line with the requirements of a voluntary national third-party food safety assurance scheme, the enabling institutional environment of Liberia`s food system is conducive to boost the competitiveness of primary producers and processors and to enhance overall consumer protection along the selected value and supply chains.

Output 2.1. – Based on relevant CODEX standards (e.g. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Principles), a basic, modular and voluntary national third-party food safety assurance scheme is developed, along with customised add-ons for the selected value chains and local ownership secured.

Output 2.2 – National food safety-related testing and certification services strengthened along the selected value chains towards an efficient implementation of the developed voluntary national 3rd party food safety assurance scheme (see output 2.1), and in line with international standard requirements.

Output 2.3 – The educational system in the country has been strengthened and upgraded as to facilitate in the long-term national capacity-building in the area of food safety in general, and in particular addressing the need for qualified food safety practitioners, capacitated to efficiently implement the developed scheme.

Outcome 3 (MICRO level) – Primary producers, processors and other relevant value chain actors actively pursue compliance with the developed voluntary national 3rd party food safety scheme (see outcome 2), or even advanced market requirements, and hence benefit from increased competitiveness and market connectivity, and overall advanced national food safety culture leading to enhanced demand for and supply of safe food in Liberia.

Output 3.1. – Primary producers, processors and relevant value chain actors upgraded towards compliance with the voluntary national 3rd party food safety assurance scheme, or advanced market requirements, as per clearly identified market needs and potentials.

Output 3.2 – Enhanced food safety culture and increased awareness on safe food handling practices by consumers, primary producers, food and agri-businesses and national marketplace actors (i.e. restaurants, retailers, markets, street food sellers, hotels, etc.).

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the day to day supervision of the CTA, overall management of the Project Manager and in close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and Monrovia, the Monitoring and Evaluation Offier will be responsible for the following main tasks:

Contribute to the overall coordination of project activities in a timely and consistent manner

• Oversee the planning, design, and implementation of the LIFSI capacity building activities (i.e. trainings, EGMs, fellowships and study tours) in alignment with project objectives.
• Develop and implement assessment processes to evaluate the effectiveness of capacity building activities and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure that capacity building activities are inclusive and accessible to all, including males, females, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable demographics.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop gender-responsive training materials and curricula.
• Coordinate with external partners and experts to bring specialized training and resources to the programs.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of training programs on participants, making adjustments as necessary to meet project objectives.
• Facilitate training sessions, workshops, and seminars, either directly or through team members.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on training activities, challenges, and outcomes to the CTA and the PM.
• Manage the training budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
• Stay updated on best practices and emerging trends in the delivery of competency-based training material and curriculum.
• Conduct outreach to identify and engage at-risk youth and other vulnerable demographics for participation in capacity building activities.
• Carry out ad-hoc assignments, as required.

Concrete/measurable Outputs to be achieved

• Capacity building activities designed and implemented in line with project objectives, work plan and allocated resources.
• Impact of capacity building activities assessed and corrective measure introduced, as needed.
• Comprehensive progress reports submitted in a timely manner.
• Capacity building activities demonstrate accessibility and inclusiveness.
• Support for the effective implementation of capacity building activities is provided as needed.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, engineering, sciences, agro-industries, environment, business administration, or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience

• At least 3 years of work experience in the relevant field is required.
• Knowledge/Experience in monitoring and evaluation of technical cooperation projects, is required.
• Knowledg/Experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection and monitoring of projects, is desirable;
• Experience in working with government and development agencies including the United Nations agencies in the Liberia or similar country in the region, is desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment is required.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core values
WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

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