Regulatory Compliance Specialist (Food Fortification) at Helen Keller International

Position Summary: 

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Food Regulatory Affairs, Food Law and Policy, Public Health, or a related field and experience working with food industry or government to implement and monitor fortification programs. This role is critical in ensuring the successful integration of micronutrient fortification into staple foods and processed products to combat malnutrition and improve public health outcomes.

S/he will work closely with Helen Keller’s country office staff, while liaising with partner agencies, particularly in Nigeria, to implement project activities. The consultant will work closely with regulatory authorities (e.g., NAFDAC, SON, FCCPC, FMOHSW), food manufacturers, and project partners to strengthen regulatory frameworks, support industry compliance, and contribute to sustainable fortification practices. The Regulatory Compliance Specialist Consultant will provide technical and strategic support to ensure that fortified bouillon products comply with national food regulations and international standards.

This contract will be for one year and may be renewed based on the availability of funds.

KEY DELIVERABLES 

 Reporting to the Nutrition Program Manager, the Regulatory Compliance Specialist Consultant (Food Fortification) will:

• Interpret and apply Nigerian food fortification regulations relevant to bouillon cubes.
• Support food manufacturers in aligning with fortification standards, guidelines, regulations and preparing documentation for regulatory submissions.
• Provide technical input into the development and/or revision of fortification guidelines and compliance protocols.
• Identify gaps and recommend corrective actions to improve regulatory adherence.
• Conduct thorough regulatory analysis to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations related food fortification, including bouillon fortification. 
• Liaise with policy makers and regulators (FMOHSW, FMITI, NAFDAC, SON, FCCPC) and other relevant bodies to facilitate regulatory approvals and policy alignment.
• Participate in technical working groups and advocacy efforts to promote sustainable fortification.
• Work with Helen Keller Intl and other LSFF stakeholders to develop a strategy for public sector engagement under the three-pronged advocacy approach being adopted by HKI for bouillon fortification implementation in Nigeria
• Support the design and organization of a workshop on the development of the policy and regulatory framework to advance the LSFF agenda in Nigeria, with a focus on strengthening local ownership of the LSFF agenda, especially public sector ownership of the bouillon fortification initiative.
• Support the delivery of a regulatory brainstorming workshop on the implementation of the code of practice on bouillon fortification (NCP 0123:2024) and the revised standard for bouillon manufacturing (nis 293:2024), to foster dialogue and understanding amongst stakeholders as well as secure the commitment of industry players.
• Review final research findings to support the review of the bouillon standards to reflect the most recent evidence on the micronutrients content selected and inclusion levels.
• Support advocacy efforts for the review of the Food Fortification Regulations 2021, to include bouillon as an approved food vehicle for fortification.
• Participate in team and stakeholder meetings to provide regulatory guidance and support project activities for the implementation of bouillon fortification initiative in Nigeria. 
• Support the design of advocacy initiatives to foster better understanding of the overall goal of the bouillon fortification initiative.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including industry R&D, Quality Assurance, and Legal, to assess regulatory implications of product development and modifications.
• Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and provide timely updates to stakeholders to ensure compliance awareness.
• Other duties may be assigned as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Food Law, Regulation and Policy, Law, Food Science and Technology, Public Health, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in food law and regulation, preferably in food fortification or Regulatory and Scientific Affairs in the food industry
• Strong understanding of Nigerian food laws and international standards (e.g., Codex Alimentarius, and ECOWAS harmonized regional standards-ECOSTAND, ARSO).
• Experience working with national, regional, and international regulatory agencies and food manufacturers.
• Excellent communication, training, and report-writing skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with national, regional, and international fortification guidelines (e.g., WHO, Codex Alimentarius, ARSO, WAHO).
• Experience with laboratory testing and analytical methods for micronutrient content.
• Project management and report writing skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, or similar).