Regional Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer (Panama City)

About the role

The Regional Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer provides leadership and technical guidance on food safety and quality across the Latin America and Caribbean region. Working from Panama City, the officer supports Country Offices in implementing WFP standards, strengthening risk management, and ensuring safe, high‑quality food assistance in diverse operational contexts.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, adapt and implement FSQA policies and procedures aligned with WFP and supply‑chain strategies.
• Provide expert technical guidance to Country Offices during programme design and implementation, embedding food safety and quality throughout the assistance cycle.
• Lead the establishment and oversight of field protocols for risk and incident management, enabling rapid response to food safety concerns.
• Oversee systems for prevention and mitigation of FSQA issues, including product specifications and coordination with national authorities.
• Monitor compliance with FSQA regulations, support emergency response operations, and report on regional performance.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Public Health or a related field.
• Extensive experience (several years) in food safety and quality assurance within humanitarian or large‑scale supply‑chain environments.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams across multiple countries and to travel frequently throughout the region.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with the capacity to develop policies and procedures.

Required skills

• Food Safety Management
• Quality Assurance
• Risk Management
• Knowledge of international food safety standards (e.g., Codex, HACCP)
• Experience with FSQA regulatory frameworks