YouthSpaces, a youth-centered, community-based organization, is looking for a Senior Regulatory Food Specialist on a part-time, remote basis. The role makes sure that food-related programs, services, and initiatives meet local and international food safety, nutrition, and regulatory standards, with a focus on youth programs where food supports health, well-being, and sexual and reproductive health work. As Senior Regulatory Food Specialist, you’ll research the regulatory frameworks that apply; develop and review guidelines for food preparation and service in youth-focused programs; advise on menu planning, safe cooking, and food handling; work with program teams to bring compliant food components into trainings, events, and outreach; draft standard operating procedures; carry out risk assessments; provide food safety and hygiene capacity-building to staff, volunteers, and partners; prepare documentation for compliance audits; support partnerships with food service providers; and communicate clear, accessible recommendations in line with the organization’s holistic, youth-centered mission.
About YouthSpaces — Youth-Centered Community Work
Organization: YouthSpaces (You(th)SpacesAfrica)
Location: Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Mission: Holistic, rights-based, and inclusive youth empowerment
Focus Areas: Health, nutrition, well-being, and social justice
Work Model: Part-time and fully remote, with multicultural teams
Regulatory Food Specialist Role — Compliance, Guidelines & Capacity Building
Department: Programs & Food Compliance
Primary Focus: Food safety compliance, youth program food guidelines, staff training
Scope: Food components within youth trainings, events, and community outreach
Mission: Making sure food supports young people’s health safely and in line with regulations
Senior Regulatory Food Specialist Position Overview
The Senior Regulatory Food Specialist role at YouthSpaces sits between regulation and the everyday reality of youth programs. When food is served at a training, an event, or a community session, it has to be safe, practical, and compliant, and it has to support the young people who eat it. This role takes responsibility for that. You’ll begin with the rules, researching the local and international food safety, nutrition, and regulatory frameworks that apply to the organization’s programs, and turning them into practical guidance. A central task is developing and reviewing guidelines for food preparation and service in youth-focused settings, particularly where food and beverages support health, well-being, and sexual and reproductive health initiatives. Advice on menu planning, safe cooking methods, and food handling protocols helps program teams make good decisions, and you’ll work with those teams to build compliant food components into trainings, events, and outreach from the start rather than as an afterthought. Documentation is part of the work too. You’ll draft standard operating procedures, carry out risk assessments, and prepare the paperwork needed for compliance audits. Capacity building matters just as much. You’ll share food safety and hygiene knowledge with staff, volunteers, and partners, and you’ll support the organization’s relationships with food service providers so that they meet the same standards. Throughout, the aim is clear, accessible communication that fits the organization’s holistic, youth-centered approach. The role is part-time and remote, so self-direction and good written communication are essential.
As Senior Regulatory Food Specialist, you’ll build expertise in food regulation, nutrition guidance for young people, and the practical side of food safety in community settings. The organization is looking for someone with food preparation and cooking skills that produce safe, nutritious, and practical guidance, and with experience in food and beverage or food service operations, including hygiene standards, food handling, and service workflows. Strong communication is essential, since regulatory requirements need to be translated into clear guidance for non-specialists. Demonstrated knowledge of food safety, regulatory compliance, and relevant national and international standards is important, and experience working with youth, community, or non-profit initiatives in health, nutrition, or social justice is valuable. A background in food science, nutrition, public health, hospitality management, or a related field is highly beneficial. Familiarity with African regional regulatory frameworks and a commitment to equitable, inclusive, and rights-based approaches to youth empowerment will be valued. The ability to work independently, manage several projects at once, and collaborate across multicultural teams completes the picture. For food safety professionals who want to put their skills behind youth well-being, this part-time remote role offers meaningful and flexible work.
Why This Role Matters: As Senior Regulatory Food Specialist at YouthSpaces, you help make sure the food young people encounter in programs is safe, nutritious, and compliant, write the guidelines that keep youth-focused food service on track, build food safety capacity across staff and volunteers, prepare the documentation that supports audits, work across multicultural teams in a remote setting, and build a career at the intersection of food regulation and youth well-being.
Key Responsibilities & Compliance Duties
Regulatory Research & Standards
- Research local and international food safety frameworks
- Track food, nutrition, and regulatory standards that apply
- Translate regulatory requirements into practical guidance
- Confirm programs meet relevant compliance standards
- Keep compliance knowledge current as rules change
- Identify gaps between current practice and requirements
Youth Program Food Guidelines
- Develop guidelines for food preparation in youth programs
- Review guidelines for food and beverage service
- Ensure food supports health and well-being outcomes
- Include food components aligned with health initiatives
- Adapt guidance to suit different youth audiences
- Keep guidelines clear, practical, and accessible
Menu Planning & Food Handling
- Advise on menu planning for programs and events
- Recommend safe cooking practices
- Set food handling protocols for teams
- Support nutritious and practical food choices
- Review menus against food safety requirements
- Support food components for trainings and outreach
SOPs, Risk Assessment & Audit Documentation
- Draft standard operating procedures for food activities
- Conduct risk assessments for food-related activities
- Prepare documentation for compliance audits
- Maintain records of food safety decisions
- Update procedures as programs and rules change
- Keep audit files organized and current
Capacity Building & Training
- Provide food safety and hygiene training to staff
- Support volunteers and partners with food safety knowledge
- Share practical food handling guidance
- Assess understanding after training sessions
- Build confidence in safe food practices across the organization
- Create simple reference materials for teams
Partnerships & Program Integration
- Support partnerships with food service providers
- Work with program teams on food components
- Integrate compliant food into events and outreach
- Coordinate food safety expectations with partners
- Communicate recommendations in line with the mission
- Collaborate across multicultural and remote teams
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
- Degree in food science, nutrition, or public health
- Degree in hospitality management or a related field
Food Skills & Experience
- Food preparation and cooking skills for safe, practical guidance
- Food and beverage or food service operations experience
- Knowledge of hygiene standards and food handling protocols
- Understanding of service workflows
Compliance Knowledge
- Expertise in food safety and regulatory compliance
- Knowledge of national and international food standards
- Familiarity with African regional regulatory frameworks (valued)
Sector Experience
- Experience with youth, community, or non-profit initiatives
- Experience in health, nutrition, or social justice contexts
Personal Skills
- Clear communication that translates regulation for non-specialists
- Ability to work independently in a remote environment
- Ability to manage multiple projects at once
- Ability to collaborate across diverse, multicultural teams
- Commitment to equitable, inclusive, and rights-based approaches
Career Development & Growth Opportunities
Professional Advancement
- Pathway toward a full-time food safety or programs leadership role
- Opportunity to shape food standards for youth organizations
- Exposure to regional and international food regulation
- Growth in a community-based, mission-driven organization
Learning & Development
- Hands-on experience with food compliance in youth settings
- Development of SOP and risk assessment skills
- Experience delivering food safety training
- Working knowledge of regional regulatory frameworks
About YouthSpaces — Holistic Youth Empowerment
YouthSpaces is a youth-centered, community-based organization that works on health, well-being, nutrition, and social justice with young people. Its programs are built on holistic, rights-based, and inclusive principles, and they bring together multicultural teams and partners to make a lasting difference. Food is one part of that work, and the organization takes its responsibility for safe, nutritious programming seriously.
Career Excellence in Youth-Focused Food Safety: Join a mission-driven organization, shape food safety guidelines for youth programs, support health and well-being through compliant food, build food safety capacity across a community network, and grow a flexible career in food regulation and public health.
Who Should Apply?
- Food Safety Specialists: Looking for part-time remote work
- Nutrition and Public Health Graduates: Interested in youth programs
- Hospitality Professionals: Moving into food compliance
- Community Health Workers: With food safety knowledge
- Non-Profit Program Staff: Wanting to add food compliance skills
- Remote Professionals in the UAE: Seeking flexible, mission-driven work
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