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).
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Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Food Fortification Specialist to lead and support food fortification initiatives in collaboration with food industries. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food science, food technology, or food engineering, and experience working with food manufacturers 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.
The Technical Specialist (Food Fortification) will be supervised by Helen Keller’s Nutrition Program Manager. S/he will work closely with Helen Keller’s country office staff, while liaising with partner agencies, particularly in Nigeria, to implement project activities. Throughout the Bouillon Initiative project, the Technical Specialist (Food Fortification) will work with supervisors and other colleagues towards ensuring quality delivery of Bouillon Fortification Initiative in Nigeria.
KEY DELIVERABLES
With support from the Nutrition Program Manager, the Technical Specialist (Food Fortification) will:
- Provide technical guidance to food manufacturers on fortification processes, including premix selection, dosage, and quality assurance.
- Collaborate with industry partners to develop and implement fortification strategies for staple foods (e.g. bouillon, complementary foods, flour, oil, salt, sugar, dairy).
- Conduct training sessions and workshops for industry personnel on fortification standards and best practices.
- Support industries in establishing internal quality control systems to ensure compliance with national and international fortification standards.
- Assist in the development and review of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fortified food products manufacturing.
- Participate in the design and implementation of monitoring systems to track fortification coverage, compliance, and impact.
- Analyze data and prepare reports on fortification program performance and industry compliance.
- Work with regulatory bodies and stakeholders to support the development and enforcement of food fortification policies and regulations.
- Advocate for industry participation in national fortification programs and public-private partnerships.
- Support Tracking and oversight of project activity and activity costing
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, or a related field.
- Minimum of 4–6 years’ experience in food fortification, food processing, food products and packaging research and development, or quality assurance in the food industry.
- Knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP)
- Experience in food analysis methods, and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
- Strong understanding of micronutrient fortification technologies and regulatory frameworks.
- Experience working with food manufacturers, government agencies, or NGOs is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of Quality Management System (QMS) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in the food industry
- Excellent training, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in project planning and organization, as well as personal time management. Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex documents, including research data, laboratory analytical data, policy analysis
- Relevant experience in advocacy with government officials
- Excellent written, oral and communication skills.
- Fluency in English oral and written.
Preferred Skills:
- Sound food science/technology knowledge and training
- Familiarity with national and international fortification guidelines (e.g., SON, NAFDAC, MNDC, WHO, Codex Alimentarius).
- Experience with food laboratory testing and analytical methods for micronutrients, proximate composition, and physico-chemical properties
- Project management and report writing skills.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, or similar)
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