Jobs

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Officer at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development

admin August 30, 2023

4 minutes read

DEADLINE: 08 September 2023

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Officer at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development

POST: FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE OFFICER
REF NO: 3/2/1/2023/564
Directorate: Food Safety and Quality Assurance
SALARY: R294 321 per annum (Level 07)
CENTRE: Gauteng (Pretoria)

REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be in possession of a Grade 12 Certificate and National Diploma / Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science / Food Science. Minimum of 1-year relevant experience in the field of food safety and quality. Job related knowledge: Public Service Regulations. Agricultural Products Standards Act. Liquor Products Act. International agreements, convections and bilateral agreements relating to sanitary and food quality matters. Relevant legislation and regulations, norms and standards. Export and import requirements. Job related skills: Ability to communicate well and interact with people at different levels. Integrity and discretion. Planning and organising skills. Creativity. Interpersonal skills. Problem solving skills. Interpretation skills. Analytical skills. Listening skills. Computer literacy. Report writing skills. Drafting of technical and non-technical correspondence. A valid driver’s licence and the ability to drive. Willingness to work extended hours.

DUTIES: Coordinate information in support of the evaluation, compilation and amendment of product standards / policies / procedures with regards to the quality of regulated agricultural products. Collect and collate information on international product and standards, policies, procedures, guidelines and best practice and local conditions (industry and consumer demands, climate, market conditions, etc.) with regard to the quality, composition, packaging, marking, labelling, inspection, control and monitoring of identified agricultural products destined for export, import and local markets. Conduct a preliminary evaluation of the information gathered and report accordingly. Provide support in the conducting of needs assessments and evaluation of information. Provide support in the identification of food safety and quality risks by analyzing international standards, best practice and local conditions. Provide support in the formulation and review of internal processes, import and export procedures for regulated agricultural and liquor products. Provide support in the drafting of policies and guidelines on the interpretation of the Liquor Products Act (LPA) and the Agricultural Products Act (APSA) and the implementation thereof. Provide information with regard to the application and / or interpretation of legislative framework. Identify possible methods and interventions to eliminate and / or reduce food safety and quality risks. Provide support in the processing of applications for dispensations by: Obtaining the relevant information. Evaluation of the information obtained and report accordingly. Evaluate labels of Agricultural products. Conduct a preliminary import and export risk assessment on liquor products. Conduct preliminary evaluation of analytical profiles, labels and composition of liquor products destined to ensure compliance with requirements of the Liquor Product Act, export country requirements and the European Union (EU) / Residual sugar (RS) Wines and Spirit and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Agreement and report accordingly. Render administrative support with regards to the administration of the relevant legislation (database and information management and stakeholder communication). Communicate with clients, industry role players, other departments and DALRRD officials on technical matters related to food safety and quality assurance. Obtain the relevant international information to keep South African industries and other divisions informed of new trends / requirements. Provide information to clients and other divisions with regards to processes and procedures. Obtain and disseminate information to stakeholders with regards to standards applicable in the importing country. Update and maintain databases and information related to the following: Registration and / or cancellation of Food Business Operators (FBOs), factory, product, A and B and date codes for processing establishments and liquor products. Registration and / or cancellation of abattoir, A and B codes. Registration and / or cancellation of labels for the export of agricultural products. Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for dried fruit, canned fruit and vegetables, etc destined for export. Update the Wine Online export certification system to ensure compliance with standards of the Liquor Products Act and international standards of the various exporting countries.

ENQUIRIES: Mr M Fache Tel No: (012) 319 6334

APPLICATIONS: Applications can be submitted by post to: Private Bag X833, Pretoria, 0001 or hand-delivered during office hours to: 600 Lilian Ngoyi Street (formerly known as Van der Walt Street), Berea Park, Pretoria, 0002 or to Agriculture Place, 20 Steve Biko (formerly Beatrix) Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083.

NOTE: African, Indian and White Males and African and Indian Females and Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Directions to candidates

Applications on form Z83 with full particulars of the applicants’ training, qualifications, competencies, knowledge and experience (on a separate sheet if necessary or a CV) must be forwarded to the department in which the vacancy/vacancies exist(s). NB: PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS MUST PLEASE USE THE NEW Z83 WHICH IS EFFECTIVE AS AT 01 JANUARY 2021.
Applicants must indicate the reference number of the vacancy in their applications.
Applicants requiring additional information regarding an advertised post must direct their enquiries to the department where the vacancy exists. The Department of Public Service and Administration must not be approached for such information.
It must be ensured that applications reach the relevant advertising departments on or before the applicable closing dates.