Assessment of National Codex Structures in Africa

Background and Rationale

Standards are critical for ensuring consumer protection and promotion of fair trading practices. Within the context of global food trade, the standards developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) are deemed by the WTO SPS Agreement as the reference point on matters of food safety. The Codex Alimentarius is recognized as benchmark because it is science-based and the Codex Alimentarius is subject to international scrutiny and review. It is in this context that the SPS Agreement encourages WTO Member countries to use international standards, guidelines and recommendations (where they exist) as the basis of their national measures.

With the entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement an even greater demand to use Codex standards as basis of national measures is anticipated. The SPS Annex VII of the AfCFTA Agreement specifically references Codex Alimentarius as reference for food trade in the AfCFTA. Ensuring the operation of functional National Codex Structures that enhance country participation in the work of the CAC will therefore be critical in advancing the objectives of the AfCFTA.

Codex issues are diverse, effective participation in the Codex standard setting process requires countries to establish multidisciplinary teams and engagement of a broad spectrum of national stakeholders for consultations in order to better capture the priorities and needs of the country in Codex standards. Recognizing the need for coordination of Codex activities at the national level, Codex Members are obligated to establish national Codex Contact Point to act as the liaison office for all Codex issues in the country. Most Governments in Africa have gone further to establish National Codex Committees (NCC) as a coordination mechanism to engage all relevant national stakeholders on Codex issues and to enhance oversight on national Codex activities.

AU-IBAR is the African Union Commission’s (AUC) Codex Contact Point. On behalf of the AUC, AU-IBAR is commissioning work to assess the status of national Codex structures and participation of AU Member States in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The outcome of the assessment will form the basis for targeted capacity building on Codex issues.

Scope of work

The assessment will cover all aspects of National Codex structures but will not include specific elements of a National Food Control System. All Member States of the AU will be covered in this assessment.

Tasks

The successful applicant will:

1. Assess the status of operation and performance of Codex Contact Points of all 55 AU member States
2. Assess the status of operation and performance of National Codex Committees and their subject matter specific sub-committees in all AU member states
3. Assess the level of participation of all AU member states in their identified priority Codex Committees with specific emphasis on electronic working groups, submission of national positions or comments and participation in Codex sessions.
4. Identify the extent to which the food business sector, academia/research and consumers are involved in national Codex work
5. Document best practices in terms of sustainability and work management practices within CCPs and NCCs
6. Work with AU-IBAR to present outcome of assessment to AU Member States

Deliverables

1. Compilation of the status of operation and performance of Codex Contact Points of all 55 AU member States
2. Compilation of the status of operation and performance of National Codex Committees and their subject matter specific sub-committees in all AU member states
3. Compilation of the level of participation of all AU member states in their identified priority Codex Committees with specific emphasis on electronic working groups, submission of national positions or comments and participation in Codex sessions.
4. Identify the extent to which the food business sector, academia/research and consumers are involved in national Codex work
5. Document best practices in terms of sustainability and work management practices within CCPs and NCCs
6. Present a final report on the assessment outcomes also highlighting best practices in managing national Codex activities and key recommendations.

Selection of Candidates

Selection of candidates will be based on educational qualification, professional experience, and the technical proposal.

Educational Qualification

A graduate degree in Food science, food safety, biochemistry, public health, biological sciences or veterinary medicine, or other relevant fields.

General Professional Experience

1. At least 10 years hands-on relevant professional experience with proven record in building capacity and facilitating standard setting activities with focus on food safety standards and trade negotiations in relation to the WTO SPS Committee.
2. Working knowledge on SPS-related policy formulation, food safety or veterinary public health legislation and regulation formulation

Specific Professional Experience

1. At least 10 years working experience and knowledge of and participation in the work of the WTO SPS Committee, CAC and at least one of the other two international standard setting bodies (OIE and IPPC)
2. At least 10 years project management skills with evidence of managing food safety and animal health or plant health standing setting projects at the continental and regional levels (Evidence of managing projects on food safety and either animal health or plant health or both).
3. Solid diplomacy skills including evidence on working with multiple international organizations and facilitation skills at the global and continental levels
4. Proficiency in both English and French.

Evaluation criteria

Criteria Scores

Qualifications 10

General experience 20

Specific experience 50

Technical Proposal 15

Proficiency in AU Language 5

Duration of assignment

The consultancy will be conducted over a period of 90 days, from November 2021 to January 2022.

Reporting and payment

Payment will be at the rate of 300 USD per day. Payment will be based on execution of tasks and subject to clearance by AU-IBAR.
Travel outside duty station (Home country)

The assignment will be conducted online from home country.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit their applications accompanied by a detailed CV, copies of both academic and professional certificates, names and addresses of two referees, contact details (e-mail, telephone), technical proposal should be sent by email to: procurement-211004-1@au-ibar.org

All applications should be submitted not later than 22^nd October 2021.

Please ensure that the attached Declaration Form is duly filled in, signed, and stamped.

The Declaration form has to be submitted together with the other requirements. Failure to do nullifies your application.
Please note that the attached Personal Data & Privacy Statement is for your perusal and notice. It requires no action.

Terms of References (English version)

African Union Declaration Form

AU-IBAR Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement