Position: Food Trainee
Location: Nairobi
Duration: 6-month structured training program (with possibility of transition to permanent role)
Reporting to: Food Safety Associate
About Food4EducationHungry kids can’t learn or grow.
Food4Education is an award-winning, locally rooted, and African-led solution to end classroom hunger.
Building on more than a decade of learning by doing, we’re powering a new school feeding industry and sharing our blueprint to scale sustainable, nutritious, and affordable school feeding programs across Africa.
Today, we serve 600,000 kids DAILY in Kenya. But every day, we deliver more than a meal – improving nutrition and education outcomes for children while also creating jobs and opportunities for whole communities.
We are an experienced and trusted non-profit partner that operates with the excellence of a global business, reinvesting the value we create into local economies.
To learn more, please visit
www.food4education.org Our ValuesAt Food for Education, our values are guiding principles that provide us with purpose and direction and set the tone for our interactions with all stakeholders:
- Build with excellence and curiosity - We’re not afraid to try new things and iterate as much as we can to find the best and most efficient way to get results;
- Be the change you seek - We acknowledge that continuous improvement is a shared responsibility;
- We do what we say; and say what we do - We embrace an ownership mentality;
- Ask why; and commit - Share openly and question respectfully and commit fully. When we understand the why, we are able to work with a purpose.
Role OverviewThe Food Safety Trainee supports the implementation and day-to-day monitoring of food safety programmes within assigned kitchens and schools. Working under the guidance of the Food Safety Associate, the Trainee conducts routine inspections, monitors food safety practices, supports verification activities, and promotes compliance with established food safety standards while developing technical competency.
Routine Food Safety Monitoring
- Conduct routine inspections of assigned kitchens and schools to verify compliance with food safety standards.
- Monitor compliance with hygiene practices, PPE requirements, housekeeping and sanitation standards.
- Identify food safety deviations and promptly report findings to the Food Safety Associate.
Operational Oversight
- Routinely monitor receiving activities to verify that incoming food and food-contact materials meet established food safety requirements.
- Monitor storage, food preparation, production, dispatch and food service practices to identify potential food safety hazards.
- Monitor adherence to temperature control, segregation and cross-contamination prevention requirements.
Verification Support
- Support the collection of food, water and environmental samples in accordance with established protocols and sampling schedules.
- Participate in routine verification activities, traceability exercises and food safety audits.
- Assist in follow-up of verification findings under the guidance of the Food Safety Associate.
Follow-up of Corrective Actions
- Monitor implementation and verify completion of agreed corrective actions.
- Escalate overdue or recurring non-conformities to the Food Safety Associate.
Documentation and Reporting
- Complete inspection checklists and maintain accurate food safety records.
- Document inspection findings, observations and assigned corrective actions.
- Provide timely updates on routine inspection findings and emerging food safety risks.
Food Safety Compliance Support
- Support kitchen managers and school teams in implementing food safety programmes and procedures.
- Reinforce good food safety practices through routine engagement with kitchen and school teams.
- Assist the Food Safety Associate in developing and delivering food safety training programmes.
Continuous Learning
- Participate in food safety audits, verification activities, traceability exercises and incident investigations.
- Build technical competency in ISO 22000, HACCP, food safety regulations and Food for Education's FSMS.
Application ProcessInterested staff should submit:
- CV accompanied by a short expression of interest (max 1 page) explaining why they are interested in the role.
- Endorsement from their current line manager confirming release to participate in the 6- month training program.
We are an equal-opportunity employerWe are committed to building an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and people are supported to do their best work. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences and make employment decisions based on merit, potential, and alignment with our values.
Career Growth and DevelopmentWe have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You will have weekly check-ins with your manager, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You will have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding, long-term career.
We aim to contact all our applicants, but due to the high volume of applications only short-listed candidates are contacted. If you do not hear from us within two weeks your application might not be successful on this occasion. This does not mean you will not be considered for future roles so please keep an eye on our job board and apply for positions that match your skills and experience.
