Background

ZABS is a statutory body currently operating under the Standards Act No. 4 of 2017. Under this Act, ZABS is mandated to provide Standardization and Quality Assurance services to industry in order to support production of goods and services of acceptable quality for national, regional and international markets. ZABS also acts as a link between local industry and regional and international standardization and quality assurance (SQA) organizations.

Job Purpose

To undertake the development of national standards for food, agriculture and related fields in order to enhance the quality, safety and competitiveness of products and services on the market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and review national standards in the area of food, agriculture and related fields in line with regional and international best practices in order to contribute to enhancement of the quality, safety and competitiveness of products and services on the market.
• Monitor and participate in regional and international standards development activities (ARSO ISO, CODEX) and facilitate the adoption or adaptation relevant standards for local application.
• Coordinate effective participation of technical experts in all regional and international standardization work and adopt international and regional standards to ensure that applicable products and services that comply with Zambian standards also meet the requirements of the region and rest of the world.
• Collaborate with industry stakeholders to address emerging trends and innovations in the fields of food and agriculture.
• Undertake regularly the harmonization of Zambian Standards with those in the region and the rest of the world in order to improve the competitiveness of Zambian products and services locally and internationally.
• Undertake the provision of secretarial services to the Technical Committees on standards development in order to facilitate their smooth operations.
• Conduct technical training for internal staff and external stakeholders on new standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure timely revision and amendment of Zambian Standards so that they are in line with the state of the art and technology applicable for the products and services.
• Compile accurate and timely reports as well as standardization related documentation which will facilitate decision-making.
• Maintain up-to-date records of all standards development related activities.

Qualifications, Experience & Personal Attributes

• Grade 12 Certificate
• ZAQA Verification Certificates
• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a Food related degree
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in standardization and quality assurance or a related role
• Must have good communication skills
• Ability to write technical reports
• Computer Literate

Conditions

The position above falls under the Management conditions of service category.

The positions listed under Items 2 to 9 above fall under the Permanent and Pensionable Conditions of Service category.

• Develop and review national standards in the area of food, agriculture and related fields in line with regional and international best practices in order to contribute to enhancement of the quality, safety and competitiveness of products and services on the market.
• Monitor and participate in regional and international standards development activities (ARSO ISO, CODEX) and facilitate the adoption or adaptation relevant standards for local application.
• Coordinate effective participation of technical experts in all regional and international standardization work and adopt international and regional standards to ensure that applicable products and services that comply with Zambian standards also meet the requirements of the region and rest of the world.
• Collaborate with industry stakeholders to address emerging trends and innovations in the fields of food and agriculture.
• Undertake regularly the harmonization of Zambian Standards with those in the region and the rest of the world in order to improve the competitiveness of Zambian products and services locally and internationally.
• Undertake the provision of secretarial services to the Technical Committees on standards development in order to facilitate their smooth operations.
• Conduct technical training for internal staff and external stakeholders on new standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure timely revision and amendment of Zambian Standards so that they are in line with the state of the art and technology applicable for the products and services.
• Compile accurate and timely reports as well as standardization related documentation which will facilitate decision-making.
• Maintain up-to-date records of all standards development related activities.

• Good communication skills
• Ability to write technical reports
• Computer Literate

• Grade 12 Certificate
• ZAQA Verification Certificates
• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a Food related degree