Consultant Opportunity: Establish a Robust Assessment Framework for vTPA Programmes for Competent Authorities in Uganda and Rwanda (Activity 1.2.5)
Land O'Lakes Venture37
Establish a Robust Assessment framework for vTPA programmes for Competent Authorities in Uganda and Rwanda. (Activity 1.2.5)
Piloting the Use of Third-Party Assurance (TPA) Programme in East Africa
- Outcome 1: Increased awareness of regulatory authorities on how to assess and use data / information generated by vTPA programme in Rwanda and Uganda.
- Outcome 2: Improved food safety compliance of food business operators (FBOs) in the horticulture and fisheries value chains based on the use of vTPA programme.
- Outcome 3: Increased awareness of food safety regulators on the application of vTPA approaches in other countries.
In order to work towards achieving Outcome 1 and Outcome 2 above, the “Piloting the Use of Third-Party Assurance (TPA) Programme in East Africa” project has so far undertaken a number of activities. The activities aimed at increasing awareness levels among the private and public sector on the existence and use of vTPA programs to manage food safety outcomes within the horticulture and aquaculture fisheries value chains in Rwanda and Uganda respectively. The activities completed so far include:
- Conducting a gender analysis;
- Mapping to identify prominent vTPA programs in target value chains;
- Reviewing the national food safety environment in horticulture and aquaculture fisheries in Rwanda and Uganda respectively;
- Organizing a study tour to the United Kingdom;
- Updating relevant legislation and inspection standard operating procedures for risk-based inspections;
- Developing country-specific roadmaps; and
- Holding several knowledge transfer sessions for public and private sector players.
- Derive from the vTPA assessment criteria outlined in the codex guideline CXG 93-2021;
- Adapt from the UNIDO vTPA assessment tool; and
- Establish a country specific vTPA programmes’ and data assessment framework for Rwanda horticulture value chain, and
- Establish a country specific vTPA programmes’ and data assessment framework for Uganda aquaculture/fishery value chain.
- CODEX guideline CXG 93-2021
- The UNIDO vTPA assessment tool
- STDF/vTPA Project report on mapping the existence and use of vTPA programs in Rwanda and Uganda
- STDF/vTPA Project report on gender analysis
- STDF/vTPA Project report on review/scan of the national food safety environment looking at prominent vTPA programs used within horticulture and aquaculture fisheries value chains in Rwanda and Uganda respectively.
- STDF/vTPA Project reports on review of the legislations and SOPs with reference to risk-based inspection in the horticulture and aquaculture value chains in Rwanda and Uganda respectively.
- Policy documents, laws, regulations, standards and any codes of practices detailing food safety control for horticulture and aquaculture (fishery) value chain in Rwanda and Uganda respectively. Particularly the recently updated legislations and SOPs, or the drafts thereof as proposed by this STDF/vTPA project. The consultant should liaise with the CA to get the relevant documents.
- Country specific roadmaps
- Project report on UK study tour
- Any other available literature with reference to food safety control and use vTPA programs in Rwanda and Uganda
- Hold virtual meetings with key staff (project focal points and heads of the CAs) from the food safety and plant health authorities in Uganda and Rwanda to gain a better understanding of the on-the-ground situation in each country.
- Present draft assessment framework to the CA staff and management in Uganda and Rwanda, and facilitate discussions on most tenable vTPA programmes’ assessment framework
- Present final draft vTPA programme assessment frameworks to national public/private sector stakeholders in Uganda and Rwanda for validation and approval
- Compile and prepare reports of the consultative engagements for submission to the Project Coordinator
- Compile the final draft country specific vTPA assessment frameworks for Uganda and Rwanda for submission to the Project Coordinator
- Draft assessment frameworks for presentation to the staff and management of the CAs in Uganda and Rwanda
- Reports of the consultative meetings for Uganda and Rwanda, and the corresponding draft assessment frameworks
- Final draft vTPA programmes assessment frameworks for Uganda and Rwanda.
- Power point presentations to the stakeholders engagements
- Advanced degree in Agriculture, Food Science, Veterinary Medicine, Food Safety, Development Studies, Economics or Law or in the related fields.
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in food safety.
- Proven experience of at least 5 years in working with international technical cooperation agencies or in SPS related technical assistance projects. Work experience in Africa preferred.
- Proven working experience in Codex activities and good knowledge of the work of GFSI on vTPAs.
- Good understanding of the CODEX “Principles and Guidelines for The Assessment and use of Voluntary Third-Party Assurance Programs”, CXG 93-2021
- Proven knowledge of international, risk-based food safety requirements and of SPS related matters.
- Knowledge of the WTO SPS Committee and the International Standards Setting Bodies, including Codex, WOAH formerly OIE, and the IPPC.