External Actions of the European Union – 2018/403-625. ‘Support to food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary standards’ 

(‘The Food Safety Project’) 

Local Food Safety Technical Coordinator 

Employer: CBS Creative Business Solutions 

Location: Tirana 

Type: Part time 

Expected Duration: 14 months 

Ref. Number: 1.1.1.1 

Background 

The Food Safety Technical Coordinator will work as a technical advisor on the European Union grant-funded project to support ‘Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary’ in Albania. The project is being implemented by an experienced international partnership led by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and three Co-Applicants - the Irish Department (Ministry) of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the Finnish Food Authority and the local partner Creative Business Solutions (CBS). The Overall Objective of the project is ‘To establish institutional and administrative capacities in line with the overall public administration reform agenda to ensure improved protection of human, animal and plant health, support agri-food industry competitiveness, enhance environmental protection and facilitate progress towards EU accession.’ The project is working to achieve three major results within the food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary system in Albania: 

(i) organisational reform and strengthened human resource development; (ii) Public awareness and communication regarding food safety; (iii) EU Acquis adoption and strengthened policy implementation capacity. 

As the national registered entity within the FSAI-led grant partnership, the successful candidate will be employed by CBS under Albanian national employment legislation. 

General Scope of the Position 

The Food Safety Technical Coordinator will research, plan, implement and monitor activities to support the successful delivery of the three project results, with particular technical emphasis on food safety matters. They will work closely with international counterparts to undertake food safety analytical studies, surveys and diagnostic exercises in addition to training and capacity-building. The Food Safety Technical Coordinator is expected to ensure the project is informed, well networked with relevant stakeholders and support the International Team Leader and the International Food Safety Expert in presentation, communication and reporting activities. In addition, they will be responsible for the coordination of all tasks to ensure timely completion of project deliverables. The position acts as a liaison or primary national contact point between the project and relevant national counterparts. This is a key internal position that reports to the project ‘Team Leader’ and will also be under technical direction and collaboration with the International Food Safety Management Specialist from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Support the Team Leader and work in collaboration with the International Food Safety Management Specialist and other short-term experts to undertake an assessment and maintain an ongoing perspective on the status of food safety controls in Albania, set against existing and emerging European food safety standards and national legislation; 

• Identifying any gaps, overlaps or opportunities to streamline and remove ambiguity in relation to food safety policy, planning, programming, application of Official Controls in accordance with the National Control Plan and activities of the inspectorate; 

• Play a key role in establishing communication channels and ensuring a high level of coordination with Food Safety Businesses (FBOs), the government, consumers and the media; 

• Coordinate and ensure successful completion of project deliverables with a hands-on approach; 

• Contribute to the identification and mitigation of operational risks and facilitate a high level of communication with all key project stakeholders; 

• Provide ongoing oversight of project activities in relation to food safety and effectively coordinate with external experts; 

• Actively participate in the delivery of FSVP training activities; 

• Monitor and evaluate activities and provide narrative and data indicators to periodic progress reports, as needed. 

Skills and Qualifications 

• Advanced University degree in Food Safety, Agriculture or related topics. MSc. degree, PhD and/or equivalent academic qualifications are an advantage; 

• At least 10 years of post-qualification direct experience of food safety in Albania or combined equivalent experience across relevant topics (sanitary, phytosanitary,veterinary); 

• Good understanding of the agri-food sector in Albania from producer through processors, retailers and food service sector; 

• Good knowledge of existing Albanian food law, controls and legislation across both animal and plant-origin foodstuffs 

• Knowledge of current application of key food safety principles in areas such as traceability, HACCP, GMP; 

• Knowledge of Albanian trade in relation to the agri-food sector; 

• Highly knowledgeable of project implementation principles, practices and approaches; 

• Excellent report writing, presentation and communication skills; 

• Strong project management skills and project implementation principals and approaches; 

• Work experience in Public Administration is an asset; 

• Team player with strong integrity and determination to get things right and able to work harmoniously with colleagues; 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Albanian and English language - required English level is C1 or C2 (demonstrable by an international recognizable certificate is an advantage); 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point); 

• Working experience with Albanian legislation is considered as an asset. 

How to Apply 

Interested applicants should submit a brief cover letter and a current resume by 5pm on Friday 29th October 2021 to info@cbs.al and include ‘Local Food Safety Technical Coordinator’ in the subject line. CBS recruits on and equal opportunities basis. 

About Food Safety Authority of Ireland 

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) was established under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998. This Act was enacted in July 1998 and came into effect on 1st January 1999. The principal function of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland is to protect consumers by leading a collaborative food safety community to continuously raise food standards and create a culture of excellence. The Authority is a statutory, independent and science-based body, dedicated to protecting public health and consumer interests in the area of food safety and hygiene. It comes under the aegis of the Minister for Health. (www.fsai.ie) 

About Finnish Food Authority 

The Finnish Food Authority works for the good of humans, animals and plants, supports the vitality of the agricultural sector, and develops and maintains information systems. The Authority operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and its head office is located in Seinäjoki. It employs almost one thousand experts and professionals in 20 locations. It promotes, monitors and studies the safety and quality of food; the health and wellbeing of animals; plant health; fertiliser products, animal feeds and plant protection products: (https://www.ruokavirasto.fi/en/about-us/) 

About CBS 

Creative Business Solutions (CBS) is a business consulting and project implementation organization. It implements development projects in Albania with a spill-over effect in the Western Balkans. CBS has established expertise in Agriculture, Access to Finance, Technology, Green Energy and Tourism etc. CBS partners with international donors including USAID, Sweden, EU, and other international partners.(www.cbs.al)