Senior Food Standards Officer

Job Description - Senior Food Standards Officer )

Job Posting

30/Apr/2026

Closure Date

22/May/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: CJW

Job Type

Staff position; Professional requisition

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration: Fixed-term two years with possibility of extension

Post Number:

CCOG Code: 1I02b

Organizational Setting

The Secretariat of the Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission is located in the Joint FAO/WHO Centre in FAO Headquarters, Rome. It serves the Commission and its subsidiary bodies and acts as liaison between the Commission and other international organizations.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Food Standards Officer reports to the Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and supervises professional and support staff and affiliate workforce.

Technical Focus

This role combines technical expertise in food safety and quality and standard setting with leadership, negotiation, and management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and leadership for the Codex Alimentarius Commission work, ensuring delivery in line with the Codex Strategic Plan.
• Lead technical coordination and implementation for Codex subsidiary bodies, including procedural guidance and consensus building.
• Lead preparation, quality assurance, and publication of reports, working papers, and standards.
• Assess emerging technical, policy and procedural issues and develop working papers.
• Advise on proposals for new Codex standard setting work.
• Contribute to development and monitoring of the Codex Strategic Plan.
• Provide strategic advice for planning and implementation of Codex sessions and subsidiary bodies.
• Supervise and mentor staff, fostering teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Represent the Codex Secretariat at international meetings and multilateral fora.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with FAO, WHO, WTO and other organizations.
• Advocate for Codex work globally and support Members in engaging in Codex processes.
• Lead resource management and mobilization activities.
• Foster effective exchange of information between the Codex Secretariat and Members and Observers.
• Promote recognition of Codex standards and coordinate outreach efforts.
• Support strengthening and innovation in Codex work management systems.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in food science, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, nutrition, agricultural/veterinary science, international food law, public health, or related subject.
• Ten years of relevant experience in development and/or application of science-based food safety and quality standards, food safety/quality public policy, or food control.
• Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate proficiency in another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
• Experience in field positions and in multiple work locations.
• Knowledge of the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
• Demonstrated decision‑making, consensus building, collaboration, and leadership in multilateral environments.
• Analytical skills to assess technical and policy issues and propose solutions.
• Diplomatic communication with internal and external collaborators.
• Experience in intergovernmental or multilateral negotiations concerning food safety and trade.

Key Functions

Technical Leadership, Coordination and Implementation

• Strategic direction and technical guidance for Codex subsidiary bodies.
• Support technical Codex subsidiary bodies with procedural guidance.
• Ensure timely publication of certifications, reports, and standards.
• Facilitate information exchange between subsidiary bodies.
• Assess emerging issues and develop working papers.
• Review and advise on new standard setting proposals.
• Contribute to Codex Strategic Plan development.

Strategic Leadership, Negotiation and Management

• Strategic advice for planning and implementing Codex sessions.
• Supervise and mentor staff.
• Manage daily matters during the absence of the Codex Secretary.

Representation and Partnerships

• Represent Codex Secretariat at international and national meetings.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships.
• Advocate for Codex work and support Members’ engagement.
• Lead or participate in resource mobilization activities.

Communication and Engagement

• Exchange information with Members and Observers.
• Promote Codex standards’ recognition.
• Lead outreach and engagement efforts.
• Advance innovation in work management systems.

General Information

• Extension of fixed-term appointments may be based on performance certification and fund availability.
• Appointment is subject to medical fitness, accreditation, residency/visa requirements, and security clearances.

Conditions of Service

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

FAO applies measures to promote a positive workplace culture, inclusivity, and diversity, including family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements, and standards of conduct.