Parish Programme Specialist (Food Safety) (HPC/EH 4) – St. Elizabeth Health Services

Job Purpose:

Under the general direction of the Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector, the Parish Programme Specialist (Food Safety) is responsible for managing the parish food safety programme, to ensure compliance with the Ministry of Health’s policy and requirements and to promote the maintenance of standards for food safety and protection. The officer works in consultation with the Regional Food Safety Coordinator, Chief Public Health Inspector and Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector. 

Qualification and Experience:

• Diploma in Public Health Inspection/B.Sc. Environmental Health 
• Diploma in Meat & Other Foods Inspection 
• Post-graduate training in Management/Supervisory Management 
• Registration with the Council Professions Supplementary to Medicine 
• Minimum of five (5) years experience working as a Public Health Inspector. 

The following qualifications will be a definite asset: 

• BSc in Environmental Health/Environmental Management 
• Diploma/Certificate in computing or demonstration in the use of computers (MS Word, Powerpoint & MS Excel) 
• Training in Project Management 

Specific Knowledge/Required Skills/Competencies:

• Knowledge of The Public Health Act (1985) and all subsidiary legislations. 
• Knowledge of National Solid Waste Management Authority Act. 
• Knowledge of programme planning, implementing and evaluating techniques. public health laws and regulations. 
• Knowledge of new trends and developments in environmental health, regionally and internationally. 
• Ability to set professional standards, motivate staff, maintain satisfactory relationships with staff, the community, and other health workers. 
• Ability to recognize hazardous sanitation practises and implement remedial action.
• Excellent Oral and Written Communication skills, to include the use of Information, Communication & Technology. 
• Excellent Teamwork, Cooperation and Initiative 
• Customer Focus & Quality Focus

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing the parish’s food safety and protection programme to ensure compliance with national and regional standards. 
• Promoting the enforcement of applicable food safety standards, guidelines, codes and regulations in the parish. 
• Coordinating/managing the health certification programmes for food
• handling and tourist establishments and swimming pools, including the commissioning of these facilities in the parish. 
• Collaborating with stakeholders in the food and tourists industry to ensure attainment and maintenance of the highest food safety standards in the parish. 
• Establishing semi-annual meetings with tourist establishment managers, supervisors and operators. 
• Developing, implementing and monitoring projects/strategies to reduce food safety hazards and risks in the region. 
• Providing cutting edge advice and recommendations on technical advances and approaches to ensure food safety and protection in the region. 
• Coordinating/managing the environmental health team’s input in the investigation of food borne illness (FBI) outbreaks in the region 
• Advising the relevant persons of FBI outbreak occurrences and interventions required. 
• Coordinating food handlers’ certification and food safety and protection training programmes for internal and external clients in the parish. 
• Monitoring/managing food safety data management within the parish.
• Conducting audits of food handlers permits and food handling establishments’ certification databases and establishing self inspection checklists in the parish.
• Developing outcome indicators and evaluation techniques for food safety programmes
• Tracking measures of effectiveness (inspection scores, number of outbreaks of FBI etc.) 
• Managing the monitoring programme for attractions 
• Collecting, collating and communicating food safety data within the parish to the relevant persons as required 
• Attending/promoting relevant staff/stakeholder meetings 
• Examine emerging trends in food safety that could impact the parish and provide feedback and recommendations accordingly. 

NB. ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.