Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) & Standards and Quality Infrastructure Specialist

About the role

ICPRS International is seeking a highly experienced specialist to conduct a short‑term consultancy assessing sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems, standards, and quality infrastructure that support trade along the Abidjan–Lagos, Abidjan–Ouagadougou, and Cotonou–Niamey corridors. The expert will work with national regulators, standards bodies, laboratories and private‑sector actors to identify gaps and propose improvements for market access.

Key responsibilities

• Assess SPS systems, standards, conformity assessment, testing, certification and accreditation relevant to corridor trade.
• Participate in technical defence and inception meetings to align programme direction with stakeholders.
• Review capacities of standards bodies, laboratories, regulators and certification agencies.
• Analyse indicators on MSME certification, testing volumes, costs, timelines and export‑market interceptions.
• Identify gaps affecting trade, market access and compliance with regional/international standards.
• Engage national regulators, standards agencies, private‑sector actors, laboratories and development partners.
• Provide recommendations for harmonisation, mutual recognition, laboratory strengthening, certification improvement and enhanced market access.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in Agriculture, Food Safety, Quality Assurance or a related discipline.
• Minimum five years of experience in SPS and standards system assessments.
• Experience in laboratory accreditation, quality infrastructure and standards harmonisation in Africa.
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025, WTO SPS/TBT Agreements and ECOWAS quality infrastructure frameworks.
• Proven experience working with standards bodies, national regulators, laboratories and certification agencies.
• Familiarity with public‑private partnerships for standards compliance and market access.
• Strong analytical, technical reporting and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Required skills

• ISO/IEC 17025
• WTO SPS/TBT Agreements
• ECOWAS quality infrastructure frameworks