Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of the consultancy is to:
- Facilitate the organization of the laboratory capacity building training workshops for strengthening countries’ laboratory capacities in measuring TFA levels in foods.
- Provide technical guidance to counties and regions to improve and strengthen existing laboratory capacities.
Background
Unhealthy diet is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCD) and dietary TFA is of particular concern as increased intake of TFA (> 1% of total energy intake) is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events and mortality. Industrially produced TFA are the predominant source of dietary TFA in most populations. But unfortunately, limited data are available on global intakes of TFA. Recent reviews indicate that substantial heterogeneity exists across countries and TFA intake can be highly skewed in certain subgroups within countries contributing to health inequality within and across countries.
Based on a WHO 2018 expert consultation on TFA laboratories, preliminary ring trial results, and experiences in countries, WHO developed and published a global laboratory protocol for measuring TFA in foods in December 2020. In 2021, the protocol was adapted into video modules. Laboratory capacity-building workshops for measuring TFA in food samples, using these video modules, were held for countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and the South-East Asia in September and October 2021, respectively, and are planned for countries in other regions in the coming year.
Deliverables
Deliverable 1: Drafting and preparation of the workshop curriculum, materials to be used during the workshop including the pre-workshop assignment, presentation slides and workbooks, as necessary .
Expected by: Two weeks prior to the workshops (the dates for this year’s workshops TBD).
Deliverable 2: Facilitating the training workshops and delivering presentations to provide technical guidance to laboratories in countries, the WHO Regional and Country Office colleagues, as well as providing follow-up technical guidance as requested .
Expected by: At the time of workshop, and follow-ups as requested.
Deliverable 3: Conducting assessment of the laboratory performance and methods used by laboratories in countries and providing technical guidance and advice, as required, to optimize the laboratory performance and TFA measurement in foods.
Expected by: Within two weeks after the request for assessment is received by the consultant.
Educational Qualifications
Essential: Minimum an advanced university degree in analytical chemistry, applied chemistry or a related subject.
Experience
Essential: Over 15 years of experience in conducting analytical laboratory assessment to measure fatty acids including trans-fatty acids.
Skills/Knowledge
- Excellent knowledge of and skills in analytical chemistry, in particular laboratory methods to measure TFA and other fatty acids in foods
- Ability to work independently as well as in close collaboration with partners and counterparts of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds
- Demonstrated skills in writing reports.
Languages requried
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Dates & Duty station
Expected duration of contract
11 months
Duty station
Home baes - Off-site
Travel
At present no travel is anticipated to be carried out during this contract. However, if the COVID19 situation improves and face-to-face regional laboratory capacity building training workshops become feasible, some travel may be involved.
How to apply
Interested parties should prepare their CV in WHO format here: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2201333&tz=GMT%2B01%3A00&tzname=Europe%2FBerlin by 8 March 2022.