Scientist Production Grade A REF NO: 3/3/1/38/2025 at Department of Agriculture(DOA)

REQUIREMENTS :

• Science degree (BSc)(Hon) in Food Sciences / Food Technology or relevant qualification. Compulsory registration with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNSP) as a Professional Natural Scientist.
• Job Related Work Experience: Three (3) years post- qualification experience.
• Job Related Knowledge: Applicants must have knowledge of Public Service and Departmental prescripts/policies. Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). Agricultural Products Standard Act 119 of 1990. International agreements, conventions and bilateral agreements relating to sanitary and food quality matters. Relevant legislation and regulations, norms and standards. Export and import requirements.

DUTIES :

• Develop and implement methodologies, systems and procedures. Evaluate, Compile and amend regulations, product standards, policies, guidelines with regard to the quality, composition, packaging, marking, labelling, inspection, control and monitoring of identified agricultural products destined for export, import and local markets and ensure that these are in compliance with international food safety and quality requirements.
• Obtain inputs from industry and other relevant role players with regard to the drafted product standards, policies, procedures and guidelines. Draft/amend regulations, export standards and requirements for local and imported agricultural products. Identify food safety and quality risks by monitoring international standards, best practices, and local conditions. Conduct a needs assessment and evaluate the results thereof.
• Compile draft legal framework and publish a government gazette notice to invite comments. Coordinate the publication of approved regulations in the government gazette. Improve internal processes by providing inputs into the drafting of policies and/or guidelines on the interpretation of the relevant Act and assisting with and reviewing of the implementation thereof by other divisions.
• Perform scientific analysis and regulatory functions. Provide technical advice and guidance on the interpretation and application of the legislative framework to stakeholders. Provide inputs in the drafting of policies and guidelines on the Agricultural Products Act (APS Act) and the implementation thereof by other divisions. Evaluate labels and / or marking requirements for agricultural products and make recommendations.
• Conduct import and export risk assessment on agricultural products and issue certification documentation accordingly. Process applications for dispensations, registrations, etc. Obtain, evaluate and disseminate information on international trends to local industries to keep them informed of new trends/requirements.
• Manage and maintain databases and information related to the following. registrations and /or cancellation of labels for the export of agricultural products, maximum residue limits (MRLs) for processed products, etc, destined for export, newly published regulations, import and export standards, notices and draft regulations and standards for gathering public comments, and Standard Operating Procedures. Research and Development. Liaise with national and international stakeholders, industry role players, other departments and DoA officials on technical matters related to food safety and quality assurance.
• Obtain, evaluate, update and disseminate the relevant international information to keep South African (SA) industries and other divisions informed of new trends/requirements. Participate in the formulation of SA’s positions in international meetings with regard to the harmonization of food safety and quality assurance issues.
• Provide inputs (technical and scientific) on resolutions, guidelines, scientific papers, technologies, and production practices to ensure compliance with national and international food safety and quality requirements for agricultural products in terms of South Africa’s membership to international standard setting bodies (e.g, United Nations Economic Commission for European, Codex Alimentarius Commission, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development etc.)
• Coordinate and participate in local meetings, workshops, seminars relevant to food quality and sanitary matters. Human Capital and Development. Mentor, train and develop staff in order to promote skills/knowledge transfer. Supervise scientific work and processes. Manage the performance and development of staff.