Shelf Life Expert- SEC- Food System Challenge

Berytech is seeking to hire consultants that will be able to support Social Enterprise Cluster (SEC) in expanding the shelf life of the specified product categories and ensure product quality and safety as per the scope of the interventions mentioned below. Social Enterprise Cluster is a food social enterprise specialized in cooking and distributing food such as healthy snacks and vacuum meals to schools, NGOs, and elderly centers. 

Scope of work and Deliverables

The Consultant is expected to fulfill the following in addition to any other task required:

1. Shelf-Life Assessment:
   • Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current shelf life of at least 2 products’ categories.
   • Identify the factors affecting shelf life, such as microbial growth, oxidation, and quality degradation.
2. Shelf-Life Extension Strategies:
   • Develop customized strategies to extend the shelf life of each product category based on the assessment findings.
   • Explore preservation techniques, ingredient modifications, packaging improvements, and other relevant measures.
3. Lab Testing for Quality and Safety Parameters:
   • Coordinate and conduct lab testing to evaluate the quality and safety parameters of the selected product categories.
   • Perform microbiological, chemical, and sensory analyses to assess product quality and ensure compliance with safety standards.
4. Packaging Testing and Evaluation:
   • Assess the current packaging materials and design in relation to shelf-life preservation.
   • Test packaging effectiveness in protecting the product from external factors that may affect quality and safety.
5. Shelf-Life Protocols and Documentation:
   • Develop standardized protocols for monitoring and assessing shelf life throughout the product's lifecycle.
   • Create documentation and guidelines for storage, handling, and recommended shelf life for each product category.

Deliverables:

1. Shelf-Life Assessment Report:
   • A comprehensive report summarizing the assessment findings of the current shelf life, factors influencing it, and areas for improvement.
2. Shelf-Life Extension Strategies:
   • Recommendations and strategies for extending the shelf life of each product category, including preservation techniques, ingredient modifications, and packaging improvements.
3. Lab Testing and Analysis Report:
   • Detailed lab testing report including microbiological, chemical, and sensory analyses, evaluating the quality and safety parameters of the selected product categories.
4. Packaging Testing and Evaluation Report:
   • Assessment of the current packaging materials and design, along with recommendations for packaging improvements to enhance shelf-life preservation.
5. Shelf-Life Protocols and Documentation:
   • Standardized protocols and documentation outlining storage, handling, and recommended shelf life for each product category.

The consultant will provide these deliverables for each product category within the specified intervention period after working closely with the company to expand the shelf life of the specified product categories and ensure product quality and safety.

As part of the program’s Monitoring and Evaluation (ME&L) processes, the consultant is required to:

• Deliver a briefing report to the program’s team.
• Attending check-ins short meetings, if needed and required by the program’s team
• Attending MEL induction meeting before the beginning of the session if requested by the program’s team
• Conducting pre-post assessment, feedback and attendance as requested by the program team

Questions regarding the technical should be asked to the client directly during a site visit or via a call. To arrange a visit or conference call, please coordinate with Youmna Younes, email: youmna.younes@berytech.org, phone number: 70/516413. The client has the right to stop meeting consultants/ consultancy firms at his disclosure.

  Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, MSc Degree in food processing, food technology, quality control, food safety, food science, environmental Health, hospitality management, and any other relevant field.  
• At least 15 years of experience in similar projects.
• Excellent communications and report writing skills.
• Fluent in English and Arabic