Operations Officer - Food Safety, Food Loss and Food Fortification Policy and Regulatory Specialist

Operations Officer - Food Safety, Food Loss and Food Fortification Policy and Regulatory Specialist

Description

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, please visit www.ifc.org.

About IFC Agribusiness Advisory
IFC has made agribusiness a priority because of its potential for broad development impact and especially strong role in poverty reduction. We combine investments and advisory services to help the sector address higher demand and escalating food prices in an environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive way.

IFC invests across the agribusiness supply chain—from farm to retail—to help boost production, increase liquidity, improve logistics and distribution, and expand access to credit for small farmers. IFC Advisory Services (AS) supports companies that promote good agricultural practices that benefit small-scale farmers, and value chain solutions involving small and medium size enterprises.

IFC Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Forestry Department Advisory supports companies that promote good agricultural practices that benefit small-scale farmers, and value chain solutions involving small and medium size enterprises.
There are four platforms that have been created by Manufacturing Agribusiness and Forestry Advisory to support clients along strategic themes: Global Food Loss and Waste Prevention Platform, Sustainable Protein, Sustainable Crops production, and Smallholder Supply Chains. Within the scope of these Platforms, IFC supports agribusiness clients along strategic themes and works with clients in all agribusiness industry sectors on efforts to increase their competitiveness.

The goal of the Global Food Loss and Waste Prevention Platform is to support the uptake of best practices that aim to improve food safety and prevent food loss and waste in food supply chains for clients worldwide.

IFC’s Performance-Based Grant Food Fortification Advisory Project supports IFC’s investment portfolio and immediate clients in regulated and non-regulated markets with grants and technical advisory services, while also contributing to knowledge management and awareness initiatives among private and public sector.

A) SCOPE OF WORK
The staff member will perform a full range of duties for IFC’s Global Food Safety, Food Loss Prevention and Performance Based Grant Food Fortification Advisory Project as well as support other IFC Global Agribusiness Advisory teams and IFC country teams in assessing policy food related policy and regulatory framework and developing products related to food safety, food loss and waste prevention, food fortification and other agribusiness related areas, as outlined in Section C below. The position requires strong technical skills.

B) SPECIFIC OUTPUTS EXPECTED FROM THE STAFF
• Policy Agenda Development and Management: Lead policy-related initiatives under IFC’s Global Food Safety, Food Loss Prevention, and Performance-Based Grant Food Fortification Advisory Project, ensuring alignment with IFC’s agribusiness and nutrition strategy.
• Product Development: Design and develop IFC products addressing public sector challenges in food production industries. These products should promote best practices in food safety, food loss and waste prevention, food fortification, and traceability. This includes creating scanning tools, training programs, and awareness materials based on international standards.
• National Food Systems Assessments: Conduct and manage national food system assessments in countries identified by IFC, with a focus on food safety, food loss and waste prevention, and food fortification using the IFC Scan Guide and IFC Food Safety Handbook. Support recruiting and engaging food safety and food loss prevention and food fortification policies consultants in the regions and provide mentorship and coaching to them.
• Collaboration with National Authorities: Engage with national authorities on food safety, food loss prevention, and food fortification across Africa, Asia, MCT, Europe, and LAC.
• Global Partnerships and Initiatives: Establish and maintain relationships with key global stakeholders, including WHO, WFP, STDF, WTO SPS, WOAH, UNIDO, OECD, GAIN, and the Gates Foundation, to advance IFC’s agenda. Act as a relationship manager. This includes developing joint initiatives and products, arranging speaking engagements, and participating in relevant working groups.
• Legal Agreements with International Partners: Draft and oversee the signing process of legal agreements with global partners.
• Policy Updates for IFC Teams and IFC clients: Provide IFC’s Global Agribusiness Advisory teams, IFC Upstream Advisory and Investment clients and country food agencies with updates on international policies and regulations relevant to their agendas.
• Policy-Related Events: Develop agendas for IFC events and policy-related sessions on food systems.
• Knowledge Management and Capacity Building: Support IFC’s knowledge-sharing efforts related to food safety, food loss prevention, and food fortification at international, regional, and national levels through structuring and conducting webinars, writing articles and blogs for IFC platforms and hosting and moderating IFC events. Represent, when necessary, IFC’s food safety and food loss prevention, food fortification policy activities at third-party workshops, seminars, conferences, events, and business meetings in line with the overall communication strategy.
• Collaboration with the World Bank: Work with World Bank teams on agribusiness and nutrition initiatives, contributing to the development

Selection Criteria

• Education: Master’s degree in international law or public administration; an LLM in food law is an asset.
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in food-related sectors within international organization, including legal drafting, report writing, and relationship management.
• Policy Expertise: Extensive knowledge of agribusiness policy analysis.
• Technical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of food safety management systems, food loss and waste prevention, and food fortification systems.
• Industry Collaboration: Experience in working with the food industry and supporting public-private sector partnerships.
• Government Engagement: Proven collaboration with national governments and Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) agencies on food systems, including contributions to food system reforms.
• Regulatory Drafting: Experience in drafting international, regional, and national policies, regulations, guidelines.
• Geographical Experience: Experience in working with food agencies across Africa, Asia, MCT, Europe, and LAC.
• Capacity Building: Proven expertise in developing assessment tools, learning materials, and awareness publications related to food systems.
• Public Speaking: Track record of high-level speaking engagements at food system-related events.
• International Organizations: Experience in managing relationships at a senior level with international organizations, including participation in working groups.
• Language & Communication: Proficiency in English with excellent writing skills, fluency in any other languages is a plus.
• Work Ethic & Skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to manage teams of national and international experts on policy assessments.
- Adaptability and flexibility.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, a positive attitude, and a results-oriented approach.
- Diligence, accuracy, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Preferred Experience: Previous experience within the World Bank Group is an asset.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.