Regional Opportunity
JOB DESCRIPTION: SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY, TECHNICAL
BARRIERS TO TRADE (SPS/TBT) EXPERT
Job Title : SPS/TBT Expert
Grade : P3
Division : Industry and Agriculture
Duty Station : Lusaka
Basic Salary Scale : COM$ 52, 217.96 – COM$ 64, 181.16 per annum.
Report to : Director of Industry and Agriculture
A. JOB PURPOSE
To provide technical backstop support to Sanitary and Phytosanitary, Technical Barriers to Trade (SPS/TBT) issues that arise during implementation of the COMESA Free Trade Area to ensure that risk based, harmonized SPS measures and technical standards are implemented to facilitate safe regional and international trade. Through the SPS/TBT programme, COMESA aims to enhance the SPS/TBT capacity of the public and private sectors of member states in order to gain and maintain regional and international market access for food, agricultural and manufactured products.
B. MAIN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Under the direct supervision of Director of Industry and Agriculture and the overall supervision of the Assistant Secretary General Programmes, the incumbent of the post will perform the following duties:
- Submit work plans and budgets inputs for SPS/TBT programmes in order to ensure that resources required to implement programmes are aligned with the Division mandate and approved;
- Provide technical advice in the harmonization of risk based regulatory environment and strengthened Biosecurity Systems in order to enhance safe food and nutrition security and facilitate agricultural trade, exports and investments in the region;
- Provide technical advice on implementation of risk-based food safety regulation among the Member States to ensure domestication of regulations in line with COMESA strategy;
- Conduct capacity building trainings on risk-based decision making (risk profiling and risk assessment) and regionally harmonized regulatory limits in order to impart knowledge among the Member States’ personnel;
- Develop policy briefs for harmonization of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures across Animal Health, Food Safety, and Plant Health;
- Support sustainable mechanisms for harmonization of SPS requirements through national stakeholder consultations;
- Support strengthening and sustainability of the COMESA SPS Reference and Satellite Laboratories and laboratory institutional capabilities in the region;
- Ensure alignment of COMESA SPS and TBT Policy Frameworks and Strategic Plans with those at the AUC/AfCFTA level;
- Support sustainable implementation of Mutual Recognition Agreements for conformity assessment in the Region;
- Establish regional Proficiency Testing providers and reference materials centres in prioritized sectors/commodities;
- Take lead on preparations for the regional workshops and trainings, follow-up and monitor the harmonization and implementation of SPS import requirement in member states;
- Provide technical advice in the design of early warning and emergency response system for food safety, animal health and plant health in order to build the capacity of National Plant Protection organizations; and
- Performs any other job-related duties as assigned by the Supervisor from time to time.
C. MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields: Food Science/Technology; Agricultural Sciences; Veterinary Sciences; Plant Health/Crop Sciences; Quality Management; Engineering; and Physical/Chemical/Biological Sciences.
- A Post Graduate qualification in any of the above fields will be an added advantage.
D. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Minimum eight (8) years working experience in Sanitary and Phytosanitary, Technical Barriers to Trade (SPS/TBT) and/or related fields.
E. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS/QUALIFICATIONS
i. Membership of relevant professional bodies (SPS/TBT)
ii. Food safety auditor
iii. Personnel certification (relevant sectors)
F. SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE:
- At least eight (8) years’ practical experience in food safety, plant health; animal health; and Quality Infrastructure sectors in both the public and/or private sectors; work experience in the areas of national; regional and international food safety and quality management, including standardization, metrology, accreditation, and conformity assessment;
- Demonstrated knowledge of WTO Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Trade Facilitation
- Experience with development and implementation of Trade Facilitation Tools (Mutual Recognition Agreements; Equivalence);
- Sound expertise in factors influencing export quality infrastructure in COMESA region;
- Demonstrated skills and knowledge of risk-based approaches in conformity assessment;
- Demonstrated ability to present technical findings in succinct reports and to make oral public presentations;
- Membership in National/Regional/International TBT/SPS Forums would be an advantage.