Food Safety Laboratory Specialist

Food Safety Laboratory Specialist

Winrock International is seeking a dedicated National Specialist: Food Safety Laboratory Specialist for an Asian Development Bank (ADB) project in Laos, focusing on Sustainable Agrifood Systems. This initiative aims to enhance food security and nutrition, and increase agricultural value addition in a climate-resilient and gender-responsive manner within Lao PDR. The project will concentrate on key value chains including bamboo, cassava, coffee, durian, and tea. This is a part-time consultancy requiring a commitment of 18 person-months over a five-year period.

Location: Laos

Major Responsibilities

• Support the International Food Safety Laboratory Specialist in overseeing the upgrading of proposed laboratory facilities and achieving operational status for all laboratory equipment.
• Identify a suitable Thai laboratory for an association to facilitate accreditation, including arranging a preliminary visit to Lao PDR laboratories under MAE.
• Develop a 2-3 year masterplan for implementing various subjects in the laboratories, in liaison with the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DOAE) and the laboratories.
• Create individual masterplans for each laboratory.
• Review and amend specifications for laboratory equipment to be tendered for individual laboratories, preparing comprehensive tender documents.
• Organize invitations for Lao PDR laboratory staff to visit Thailand for familiarization with laboratory safety basics, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and essential instrument operation.
• Coordinate on-site capacity building by Thai laboratory staff to make idling equipment operational in individual Lao PDR laboratories.
• Conduct “dry” and “wet” run operations for laboratory procedures.
• Assist in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment operation.
• Support the roadmap implementation for ISO 17025 standard requirements.
• Collaborate with the Thai laboratory to develop an interlaboratory testing scheme, including participation from the Thai laboratory.
• Assist in developing schemes for proficiency testing.
• Support the creation of preventive maintenance schedules for the laboratories.
• Assist in developing calibration schedules for instruments.
• Provide advisory services to identify an accreditation body for selected parameter accreditation.
• Conduct workshops on common subjects like ISO 17025 standards at central locations, inviting relevant national stakeholders (e.g., Standards and Metrology, NCF&DA, NUOL).
• Issue regular progress reports.

Qualifications

• Education: Tertiary qualifications in biology or biochemistry at a bachelor level from an internationally recognized institution.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a food safety laboratory, familiar with analytical laboratory operations in food safety matters. Experience working in Lao PDR is preferred, as is experience with ADB. Experience in ASEAN countries, particularly Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia, is considered an advantage.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint); advanced proficiency in Excel is preferred.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking and the ability to convey complex issues clearly.
• Language: Fluent in English (written and spoken); Thai or Lao language skills are preferred.
• Physical Demands: 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.

Key skills/competency

• Food Safety Management
• Laboratory Operations
• ISO 17025 Standards
• Analytical Laboratory Techniques
• Capacity Building
• SOP Development
• Equipment Calibration
• Proficiency Testing
• Project Planning
• Agrifood Systems