Technical Advisor Seconded to Support FDA on Enforcement of Iodized Salt Legislation

 Background

The Government of Ethiopia has made significant effort to reduce the impact of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) through salt iodization program. Since 2014, Ethiopia Food Drug Administration (FDA), formerly known as Food, Medicine Health Care Administration and Control Authority (FMHACA), has been enforcing the mandatory salt iodization legislation (204/2011).  Though slowly, the percentage of household consuming iodized salt increased from 5% (2011) to 88% (2018).  Over year is noted that the iodized salt coverage wax and wans depending on strictness of legislative enforcement.

 Among other the inadequacy and limited capacity of inspectors to execute the inspection of iodized salt alongside the other enforcement tasks, has challenged FDA to effectively enforce the legislation. In addition the timeliness of and completeness of information exchange between federal and regional offices to effectively coordinate USI legislation enforcement is another limiting factor.

Today’s concerns of Ethiopia USI program become quality coverage and maintaining high coverage or sustainability.  To this end and in line with the new proclamation1112/2019, FDA is revising the iodized salt directives, updating inspection tools and providing training to inspectors. To sustain the gains achieved in USI, the enforcement of the iodization legislation is regarded as an absolute necessity. In this regard, NI is keen to provide financial support and deployment of technical assistance that supports successful implementation of FDA’s enforcement capacity building plan that includes

i)      to strengthen enforcement capacity through training of inspectors, update and implementation of  inspection tools and provision of on-site mentoring; so as to improve planning, execution and monitoring of  inspection activities at federal and regional levels

ii)     to strengthen information exchange and coordination between regional and federal FDA inspectors through teleconferencing platforms, supervision and review meeting workshops;

iii)   to conduct post market survey to evaluate compliance to national standard and to assess coverage of iodized salt coverage at retailers to inform inspection planning

iv)   to build the capacity of  salt processers and whole seller to implement internal QA/QC plan through training and provision of QA/QC checklists/tools/guidelines.

v)    to compile and share experiences and lessons of legislative enforcement with USI stakeholder  to mobilize support for FDA to strictly comply with national USI standards

 The purpose this project is to provide technical assistance to FDA to improve the enforcement capacity and effectively execute USI legislative enforcement plan to ensure Household access to quality iodized salt in Ethiopia.

 Overall purpose:

The consultant will provide support  to FDA i) to improve legislative enforcement capacity of itself and salt processors, wholesalers ii) to create stronger coordination among the federal and regional regulatory bodies, and iii) to improve collaborative partnership with USI stakeholder.

 Reporting and working hours

The consultant will directly report to the Deputy Country Director of NI Ethiopia and indirectly report to Director of Inspection Directorate at FDA.

The consultant will be housed at FDA, Addis Ababa and observe government working hours. The consultant will submit monthly report and every 2 weeks, preferably on Friday, sit with Deputy Country Director of NI Ethiopia to review progress.

Duration of consultancy service

The consultant will be engaged for a period of 12 months. Start-date for the service is expected to be Nov. 15, 2019

Education/Competencies and Experience

Education:

• A Master’s Degree from a recognized university in Food technology and Engineering or in Food Science and Nutrition with at least five years of experience

 Experience required 

• Minimum of five years’ experience in nutrition programming both in government and NGO with emphasis on food fortification program management, program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation are preferred.
• Sound knowledge of the Ethiopian National Nutrition Strategy, the National Nutrition Program, micronutrient intervention strategies, food fortification initiatives and in particular experience and engagement with USI program
• Background in the following technical areas: Quality assurance and quality control of food production, micronutrient prevention and control strategies, nutrition assessment, survey, program evaluation and research and public- private partnership.
• Experience in providing technical assistance and advice (like and advisory role at higher teaching institutions 

 Competencies:

• Effective management of personal workload and capacity to meet competing deadlines 
• Ability to work independently on technical matters with minimum supervision, identify issues and recommend technical solutions
• Ability to develop action plans, training modules and provide trainings
• Good analytical skills, critical reasoning and detail oriented
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing
• Ability to work well in group situations and participate and contribute to a team effort
• Excellent follow-up and sensitivity to deadlines

 Technical skills and knowledge:

• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Power Point; database software desirable.
• Ability and experience with group communication applications – Skype, DropBox, Viber
• Good knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
• Knowledge of food safety and quality management system