Long Term Consultant: National Specialist: Food Safety Laboratory Specialist - ADB LAO Sustaina

Position

National Specialist:
Food Safety Laboratory Specialist

Winrock International is recruiting a National Specialist:
Food Safety Laboratory Specialist for an Asian Development Bank (ADB) opportunity in Laos focused on Sustainable Agrifood systems. The project will contribute to food security and nutrition improvement, and agricultural value addition increased in a climate‑resilient and gender‑responsive manner in Lao PDR. The project will work in the target value chains of bamboo, cassava, coffee, durian, and tea. This position will be a part‑time consultancy that will require a commitment of 18 person months over a 5‑year period.

Laos

• The specialist shall assist in overseeing the upgrading of proposed laboratory facilities to achieve operational status of all laboratory equipment. S/he will also be responsible for identifying a suitable Thai laboratory with which an association shall be formed to facilitate accreditation. The Thai laboratory shall conduct a preliminary visit to the Lao PDR laboratories under MAE to familiarize with the existing situation.
• Develop a 2‑3 years masterplan for the implementation of the various subjects in the laboratories in liaison with the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DOAE) and the laboratories.
• Develop a masterplan for the individual laboratories.
• Review the list of laboratory equipment to be tendered for the individual laboratories and make amendments to the specifications where necessary.
• Prepare the tender documents.
• Invite laboratory staff from Lao PDR to Thailand to familiarize the staff with the basics of laboratory safety, Good Laboratory Practices and basics of operating essential laboratory instruments on ‘To Dos and Not to Dos.’
• Staff of the Thai laboratory conducts onsite capacity building to make the idling equipment of the individual laboratories operational.
• Conduct dry and wet run operations.
• Assist in developing SOPs for operating the equipment.
• Assist in the roadmap to implement the requirements of the ISO 17025 standard.
• The Thai laboratory develops a scheme for inter‑laboratory testing including participation from the Thai laboratory.
• Assist in developing schemes for proficiency testing.
• Assist in developing preventive maintenance schedules for the laboratories.
• Assist in developing schedules for calibration of instruments.
• Provide advisory services to seek an accreditation body to have selected parameters accredited.
• Conduct workshops for common subjects such as the ISO 17025 standards at central locations such as in meeting rooms of the laboratories.
• For national interests invite staff of, for example, Standards and Metrology or NCF&DA or NUOL to these workshops.
• Issue progress reports.

Tertiary qualifications in biology or biochemistry at bachelor level from an internationally recognized tertiary institution.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience engaged in a food safety laboratory and familiar with the operations of a functioning analytical laboratory in food safety matters.
• Experience working in Lao PDR preferred.
• Experience working with ADB preferred.
• Experience working in ASEAN countries – particularly in Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia considered an advantage.

Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Advanced proficiency in Excel is preferred.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form.

Fluent in English (written and spoken);
Thai or Lao language skills (preferred).

Regional travel may be required.

This position is based on ongoing donor funding.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission:
Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.