Senior Food Standards Officer (Food Safety)

TL;DR

Senior Food Standards Officer (Food Safety): Leading the development and implementation of international science-based food safety and quality standards within the Codex Alimentarius Commission with an accent on multilateral negotiations and technical guidance. Focus on coordinating subsidiary bodies, ensuring consistency in standard-setting processes, and fostering global consensus among Member nations.

Location: Onsite in Rome, Italy

Company

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (hirify.global) is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.

What you will do

• Provide strategic direction and technical guidance for the work of Codex subsidiary bodies.
• Lead the preparation, quality assurance, and publication of reports and international food standards.
• Represent the Codex Secretariat in high-level multilateral settings and expert consultations.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with hirify.global, WHO, WTO, and other international organizations.
• Supervise and mentor professional staff, fostering a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Advocate for Codex work globally to enhance the impact of the Commission's standards.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Nutrition, Agricultural/Veterinary Science, or International Food Law.
• Ten years of relevant experience in science-based food safety and quality standards or related public policy.
• Proficiency (Level C) in English and intermediate knowledge (Level B) of another hirify.global official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
• Demonstrated experience in multilateral negotiations and intergovernmental organization settings at an international level.
• Proven ability to facilitate consensus building and lead with confidence in multisectoral environments.
• Must be based in or able to work in Rome, Italy.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• International health insurance and pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund.
• 30 working days of annual leave per year.
• Family-friendly policies, including dependency allowances and education grants for children.
• Rental subsidy and home leave travel.
• Flexible working arrangements and a positive, inclusive workplace culture.