Position: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Advisor
Location: Arusha & Moshi
Ref#: 1407
Job Summary
The Tanzania SPS Advisor will work with local and international organizations, USDA, national governments and ministries, and technical staff across targeted East African countries to promote the development, design, and implementation of projects, programs, policies, and strategies to support increased adherence to SPS protocols as codified into various national and regional frameworks
Job Description
Background:
Land O'Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening agriculture from farm-to-fork, helping businesses grow, and linking farmers to markets. Since our start in 1981, we have been leveraging nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights from our close affiliate, Land O’Lakes, Inc., a farmer-owned agribusiness committed to fulfilling its purpose of feeding human progress.
Our team is made up of nearly 350 employees who are committed to market-led approaches, and passionate about collaborating locally to create lasting inclusive economic growth. By unlocking the potential of agriculture for the last 36 years, the lives of more than 3 million people have been transformed through nearly 300 programs in more than 80 countries.
Project Description:
USDA will be supporting the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania) to enhance its Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Systems and harmonization efforts. SPS systems and regulations must be in place to ensure food is safe and wholesome for domestic consumption and trade and this project will integrate SPS systems into policy and institutions. By working with the EAC governments to design specific intervention and focusing on risk management and regulatory authorities, SPS systems can improve value chains and ensure there are measures in place to protect the safety of domestic food supplies and drive increased regional and international trade. Activities will make substantial contributions to increasing agricultural productivity and expand trade of agricultural products.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Serve as country and/or regional contacts for SPS activities and will collaborate with USDA representatives, government officials, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve SPS systems.
- Serve as a technical expert to on SPS regulatory issues that affect agricultural development and trade domestically and internationally.
- Provide direct support to highly complex, diverse and high-profile activities to support and improve food security efforts.
- Develop and manage a work plan for the region that fits with the USDA, regional, and international objectives.
- Consult with stakeholders on how strategy correlates with and supports agricultural development.
- Provide leadership for the design, implementation, and evaluation of technical assistance programs, training and workshops in the realm of plant health, animal health, and food safety.
- Support efforts that focus on bringing agricultural policy, legislation, regulations and production methods into compliance with international obligations and strengthening SPS systems.
- Support agricultural development and assist in meeting international standards to become eligible for export to new markets while strengthening domestic markets.
- Provide specialized skills and services related to improving governmental capacity in SPS systems.
- Contribute to and communicate with a cross-cultural team and work collaboratively and effectively with international organization and foreign government counterparts as well as officials and staff at all levels of USG agencies.
- Quickly and effectively identify, articulate, and diplomatically present positions favorable to SPS interests and communicate technical issues to a broad range of audiences.
Reporting and Supervision:
The Tanzania SPS Advisor reports to the Chief of Party.
The Tanzania SPS Advisor reports to the Chief of Party.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in food safety/food technology, business administration, public policy, agriculture or related field;
- Demonstrated ability to work at varying levels of government and with the private sector to build consensus among key stakeholders and follow-through on agreed tactic and plans.
- Experience working with the EAC body on trade matters (preferably SPS) and individual country members.
- Sound understanding of the issues, challenges and opportunities of implementing SPS protocols not only at the national and regional levels, but also on the ground, at the borders and within the various agencies who have oversight of plant and animal diseases and food safety. Demonstrated knowledge related to international agricultural trade issues, including but not limited to export procedures to US, EU and GCC markets;
- Proven experience working in a highly collaborative/regional team working to help national and local bodies comply with their respective WTO SPS Agreement. This includes policy, regulation, assessment and technical capacity building. Strong interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English and in at least one East African language.
- Ability to work independently and manage the needs of multiple clients
- Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office).
- Extensive working experience in the East Africa Community: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania.
- Combination of commercial industry and public institution experience highly preferable
- Experience working in conjunction with a foreign donor funded development program.
- Ability to travel extensively across East Africa.
