Consultancy to review progress on implementation of the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific WPRO/Manila

Item Description:

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established in 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. The objective of WHO (www.who.int) is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. “Health”, as defined in the WHO Constitution, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO’s main function is to act as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work.

The Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) is one of the six regions of the World Health Organization. Headquartered in Manila, Philippines, we work with health authorities and other partners in 37 countries and areas with more than one quarter of the world’s population.

BACKGROUND

The Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific was endorsed by the Western Pacific Regional Committee in 2017.  The framework provides strategic guidance and a stepwise approach to strengthen national food safety systems.

Food safety systems in the Western Pacific Region are at various stages of development, and countries have different means to address food safety issues.  Hence, implementation of the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific is tailored to specific country needs and priorities, political momentum, resource availability, country commitments, and public support.

Recognizing the diversity of food safety systems across the Western Pacific Region, the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific promotes a stepwise approach to guide the strategic actions of Member States to strengthen food safety systems.  The stepwise approach aims to guide national food safety authorities to establish and strengthen food safety systems as comprehensive and unified entities consisting of interacting and interdependent components.

The stepwise approach promotes the process of development from systems focusing on strengthening the minimum legal and operational requirements for food safety risk management and response, to systems adopting risk-based approaches, and further on to systems that strive to become fully documented and well-coordinated across sectors and stakeholders.  The stepwise approach can help countries to prioritize interventions as well as to improve the effectiveness of investments in food safety systems.

The stepwise approach provides Member States with flexibility in their efforts to strengthen national food safety systems.  As there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to food safety, the approach allows for countries to consider different options to advance their food safety system.  In the consideration of different options to strengthen national food safety systems, various issues may be taken into account such as current and emerging food safety issues, availability of human and financial resources, opportunities for resource mobilization and international obligations and recommendations.  However, as opportunities to invest in food safety may arise with short notice, it is important that countries are prepared for and aware of different options for interventions to improve food safety.

Purpose/Specific Objective of the Activity

The purpose of the consultancy is to review progress on implementation of the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific with particular focus on country case stories and issues affecting implementation.

Description of activities to be carried out

Collect, review and analyse information and data on progress on implementation of the Regional Framework for Action on Food safety in the Western Pacific.  Based on the information collected, prepare a draft report on progress on strengthening national food safety systems in the Western Pacific region in line with the regional framework.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Desk work in terms of collecting, compiling and analysing regional and national food safety data and information.  Communicate with food safety focal points in country offices, food safety counterparts in Member States and partners on progress in strengthening food safety in the Western Pacific Region.

Description of the tasks/process involved in carrying out the activity

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Emergency Director and Director of the Division for Health Security and Emergencies and technical guidance by the Technical Officer for Food Safety in the Western Pacific Regional Office:

Output 1: Collect information and review progress on implementation of the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific including identification of best practices, lessons learned and issues affecting implementation of the Framework.

Deliverable 2.1: Draft progress report on implementation of the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific.  The progress report must highlight best practices and success stories, lessons learned and issues affecting implementation of the Framework.

Deliverable 2.2: Draft background document for a Member States consultation on implementation of the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific.

Education

• University degree in food safety, food science, agriculture, public health or related field

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in the field of food safety
• Familiarity with food safety issues and challenges in the Western Pacific Region with particular focus on low resource settings

Skills

• Experience in reviewing progress on strengthening national food safety systems
• Familiarity with the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific and its approach for implementation
• Understand International Health Regulations (IHR) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and its indicators for food safety

Languages

• Proficient in English

Additional information:

Start date:  29 Sept

Duration of contract:  3 months (until 21 December 2019)

Competencies

Ability to communicate in a credible and effective way, collect, compile and analyse food safety data and information and produce results

APPLICITIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV and Expression of Interest {cover letter} the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM AT wproungm@who.int by 02 September 2019.

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. WPRO/2019-08/FOS/TN95647/mom as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Contact:

Peter Ellison – wproungm@who.int, Tel: +63 528 9659, Fax: +63 521 1036
Email: wproungm@who.int
First name: Peter
Surname: Ellison
Telephone country code: Philippines (+63)
Telephone number: 528 9659
Telephone extension: 528 9659
Fax country code: Philippines (+63)
Fax number: 521 1036