Hiring for a Client - Food Loss and Waste Baseline Specialist

"We are hiring for one of our client's roles."

Location: Al Qana, Abu Dhabi ( with flexibility for travel across all Emirates to deliver programs and activations )

Contract Type: Full-time ( 1-year renewable )

Language: Arabic and English fluency required

Nationality: Open

Job Overview:

The Food Loss & Waste Baseline & Performance Measurement Specialist will lead the design, execution, and monitoring of the country food loss and waste baseline study. This role will establish performance measurement frameworks, define country KPIs, and provide evidence-based insights that inform policies, strategies, and country reporting.

Key focus:

The Specialist will work closely with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors across the food value chain to ensure oversight and implementation of the Emirate’s baseline study, consistent reporting of key metrics and information, evaluating measurement and reduction targets, monitoring the performance of our client initiative and Emirates food indices. This role involves building capabilities for ongoing food loss and waste stakeholder and food eco-system to align and implement measurement and tracking to meet the country targets and the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which aims to halve food waste by 2030.

Key Responsibility

Project management and lead:

• Oversee the design, implementation, analysis, and delivery of the country Food Loss & Waste baseline study, Emirates food indices
• Lead the Baseline Working Groups of stakeholders from different sectors: Oversee the Baseline Working Groups, coordinating with members to ensure successful collaboration and active participation. Ensure that all members endorse the deliverables and contribute effectively to the group's objectives.
• Oversee and Support Technical Specialists: Manage and support Technical Specialists, Consultants, and Service Providers to ensure effective implementation of the project.
• Provide the Project Communication Officer with relevant content and provide guidance on the necessary marketing materials and project presentations for events.
• Work collaboratively across our client Internal departments to coordinate efforts tied to reducing food waste

Progress Monitoring & Integration:

• Develop and oversee our client performance measurement dashboard
• Oversee and monitor the baseline study project progress against milestones and deliverables, ensuring it is completed within the stipulated timeframe and meets quality standards.
• Provide regular updates and reports to stakeholders on project status.
• Lead and coordinate with concerned stakeholders across the food value chain to ensure seamless data integration and reporting.

Technical Guidance and Analysis:

• Provide Technical Guidance on effective strategies and suitable partners to ensure optimal project outcomes. This includes developing and implementing strategies for food loss and waste, focusing on value chains, waste management, circularity, and assessing the socio-economic and environmental impacts of potential solutions tailored to the country context.
• Oversee Supply Chain Assessments: Evaluate supply chain operations by analyzing both quantitative and qualitative food losses, their frequency, and their causes. Support comprehensive assessments of current food loss and waste practices within the country, identifying key drivers and hotspots throughout the food supply chain.
• Guide Pilot Initiatives: Provide technical guidance on best practices for food waste segregation and valorization in pilot initiatives.
• Analyze Data: Utilize survey and sampling methodologies to analyze primary data and information.
• Review Technical Information: Assemble and review technical literature and information as needed.

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Manage the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to food loss and waste.
• Develop and maintain accurate food indices for the Emirates, providing insights to inform the country strategy.
• Facilitate Data Integration: Ensure seamless integration of data with relevant stakeholders to support effective implementation.

Capacity Building :

• Lead efforts to build capacity for continuous monitoring and reduction of food loss and waste.
• Oversee the development of the required training programs workshops and materials for stakeholders to enhance their understanding and implementation of FLW reduction strategies, and circular economy concepts with the stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement :

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the food value chain, including public and private sector partners, to facilitate effective cooperation and coordination throughout the project. Ensure the active involvement of senior staff from relevant ministries in project activities.
• Facilitate collaboration and communication among stakeholders to support the country FLW baseline study and reduction targets.
• Collaborate with government, non-governmental organizations, industry stakeholders, and other relevant actors across the food value chain locally and internationally to promote the adoption of circular-economy practices and technologies for food loss and waste reduction.

Compliance and Alignment with country and Global Goals:

• Ensure that all activities and reporting align with country targets for food waste reduction and UN SDG 12.3.
• Monitor and adapt strategies to ensure continued alignment with evolving goals, methodologies and standards.
• Develop implementation strategies using an evidence-based approach and identify opportunities for scalability in the areas of intervention.
• Ensure compliance with country policies, regulations, and initiatives related to food security, sustainable agriculture, and environmental conservation.
• Develop and Review Terms of Reference: Create and/or review the Terms of Reference for affiliate workforce, ensuring that they comply with current standards and regulations.

Reporting and Strategy Development:

• Oversee and review the detailed reports on FLW data, trends, and progress towards country targets.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of country strategies and policies for food loss and waste reduction.
• Lead the evaluation of all project outputs and deliverables against the approved work plan, identifying any constraints and issues that need prompt resolution and corrective action.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Agriculture Food Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of professional experience in research, baseline studies, performance measurement, or M&E within food systems, or a related field with a focus on food security, agriculture or environmental sustainability.
• Familiarity with food waste, waste management, environmental and sustainability aspects. Familiarity with the food loss and waste methodology (ex. FAO, UNEP, WRI, Food Loss and Waste protocols)
• Familiarity with innovative approaches and technologies for reducing food loss and optimizing food waste utilization.
• Proven record in project management of mega projects.
• Strong coordination and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities. Experience in coordinating and liaising with industry, academia, country authorities, UN agencies, donors, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to prepare reports, proposals, and other project-related documents.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating development projects, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. Accuracy, logic, critical thinking skills, and an ability to communicate complex ideas to others
• Proficiency in project management software, Microsoft Office Suite, and other relevant tools. Strong computer, hardware, software, and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines. Flexible to work overtime: Ability to work under pressure and on tight deadlines
• Ability to structure and prioritize project requirements and plans
• Collaborative Approach: Work effectively in cross-functional teams
• Building Effective Relationships, Mature and discreet judgment in managing sensitive issues
• Problem Solving/ Decision making - Knows how to define and structure problems/solutions
• Attention to Detail: Maintain meticulous accuracy
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• English language competency and Arabic is a plus

Working Conditions:

This role may requires occasional travel to different emirates and flexibility in working hours to accommodate project needs and stakeholder availability.