DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS20 November 2025-23:59-GMT+03:00 East Africa Time (Dar es Salaam)
WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP?
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Job holders report directly to the National Food Technologist Officer in Dodoma.
At this level, job holders demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to queries with only general guidance for all assistance modalities for both WFP and logistics common services. There is a requirement to use judgment in dealing with unforeseen problems on a daily basis. Job holders typically manage a small team, supervising and coaching staff.
JOB PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The Food Technologist provides technical leadership and oversight on all aspects of food safety and quality across the supply chain. The role ensures that all food commodities procured, received, stored, and distributed by WFP meet the highest safety and quality standards.
The incumbent will:
Serve as the technical resource for all food technology and food safety-related matters.
Lead the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of food safety and quality systems.
Provide technical expertise to Procurement, Logistics, and Programme units on supplier assessments, product specifications, and incident management.
Support and build capacity across Country Offices (COs), suppliers, and inspection service providers to strengthen food safety and quality systems.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):
Food Safety & Quality Oversight
Ensure that food commodities procured or received in-kind conform to WFP and national/regional regulatory quality and safety standards.
Review and approve food specifications, packaging, labelling, and fortification requirements.
Conduct technical reviews of RFQs, EOIs, and contracts for inspection companies, food suppliers, and laboratories.
Supplier and Inspection Company Management
Conduct or coordinate supplier audits, technical assessments, and mill evaluations to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, and other relevant systems.
Track and manage supplier non-conformities, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and monitor closure timelines.
Support in the performance evaluation of suppliers in coordination with Procurement and Logistics.
Testing, Sampling, and VerificationCoordinate compliance testing and ensure timely sample submission and reporting from inspection companies and laboratories.
Review test results to approve or release food lots and initiate corrective actions where deviations occur.
Analyse test trends to identify recurring issues and propose system improvements.
Incident Management
Coordinate food safety and quality incident management, including reporting, root cause analysis, and follow-up actions.
Support COs in incident investigations and maintain up-to-date incident and CAPA databases.
Data Management and Reporting
Collate, analyse, and maintain FSQ data and quality trackers for supplier and commodity performance monitoring.
Prepare regular FSQ reports, including monthly incident summaries, corrective action status, and food release updates.
Provide inputs to management reviews and quality system improvement initiatives.
Capacity Strengthening and Technical GuidanceProvide technical training and guidance to WFP staff, partners, and suppliers on food safety, quality assurance, and fortification standards.
Support development and dissemination of SOPs, guidelines, and quality management tools.
Act as a technical advisor to Programmes (Nutrition, School Feeding, Smallholder Support) to ensure FSQ integration in all food assistance activities.
Continuous Improvement and Compliance
Support implementation and maintenance of quality management systems within WFPโs food supply chain.
Contribute to the development and review of WFP FSQ policies, procedures, and specifications.
Promote a culture of food safety and quality across operations and advocate for continuous improvement initiatives.
Other ResponsibilitiesRespond to ad hoc requests and technical queries.
Undertake regular field visits to suppliers and warehouses to monitor food safety compliance.
Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: University degree in Food Science and Technology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Bio-processing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Microbiology, Agriculture Sciences, Postharvest or related discipline.
Experience:At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in food quality assurance or food technology, preferably in large-scale food manufacturing, supply chain, or humanitarian settings.
Demonstrated ability in supplier evaluation, product testing, and incident management.
Knowledge & Skills:
Strong technical understanding of food safety, quality control, and fortification processes.
Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills with attention to detail.
Strong communication and coordination abilities, able to work effectively with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
Sound knowledge of international food regulations and standards (e.g. Codex Alimentarius).
Languages: Fluency (level C) in both written and oral communication in English and Swahili languages.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.