UN World Food Programme Food Safety and Quality Intern Jobs in Kenya

UN World Food Programme Food Safety and Quality Intern Jobs in Kenya

About WFP

WFP works to save lives and change lives through the provision of food assistance and resilience-building programs. Inline with SDGs 2 & 17, WFP operations have ventured into different modalities of food transfer and capacity-strengthening to end hunger by 2030 and to revitalize global partnerships for sustainable development.

The WFP Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa (RBN) is based in Nairobi and provides strategic direction, technical guidance, resource mobilization, and management support to WFP operations and activities in ten countries: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda.

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;

Health and safety risks to beneficiaries.

Lead to widespread regulatory concern that disrupts the pipeline;

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.

Standard Minimum 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

Key Accountabilities (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.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; UN World Food Programme Food Safety and Quality Intern Jobs in Kenya

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