Food Safety and Customs Technical Expert at CNFA

CNFA seeks a Food Safety and Customs Technical Expert in Ghana to lead the quality standards component of a USAID-funded activity. The ideal candidate will have experience building the capacity of stakeholders to meet Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) including conducting science-based risk assessments, monitoring food safety systems, reducing food borne illnesses and managing outbreaks, implementing proper inspection and certification systems, and harmonizing policies and practices with the world trading system.

The Food Safety and Customs Technical Expert will lead a team of qualified professionals to implement activities designed to achieve quality food standards in Ghana.

Roles and Responsibilities:  

• Evaluate firms and/or producers on their adherence to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) food safety requirements;
• Build firm and producer capacity to consistently meet quality standards and regulations by leading the effort to establish systems and processes for quality.
• Lead the program’s efforts to adopt/ improve traceability systems;
• Support agribusinesses to become Green Label certified;
• Work with producers and firms to address risks such as aflatoxin and other mycotoxins and promote hygienic storage and processing facilities.
• Advise project leadership on policy improvements including work with Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Customs division to align specifications with the World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement;
• Leads establishment and improvement of risk management practices including collaboration with the GRA to formalize practices, policies, and roles and responsibilities.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• At least eight years of experience working in customs and food safety in Ghana;
• Demonstrated expertise in food safety systems is required, including international food safety standards and regulations, regulatory enforcement, inspection and certification systems, science-based risk assessments, foodborne illnesses, and policy harmonization;
• At least two years of experience leading teams conducting or advising on food safety measures desired.
• Experience building local stakeholder capacity in SPS requirements required.  A Master’s degree in agriculture, food science, management, international development, or a related field of study or equivalent work experience required.  Certifications in food safety standards such as HACCP and ISO a plus.
• Experience providing technical oversight and leadership to facilitate expanded trade and competitiveness of agricultural value chains preferred;
• English fluency required, knowledge of local languages strongly preferred