Technical Officer Jobs in Zimbabwe – Chemical & Foods Technology Division

Company: The Standards Association of Zimbabwe
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Job Title: Technical Officer – Chemical & Foods Technology Division
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: Laboratory / Chemical Testing / Food Science / Standards & Quality Assurance
Job Category: Laboratory & Technical Jobs in Zimbabwe
Application Deadline: 29 Dec 2026
Salary: Competitive (Based on qualifications and experience)

About the Organization

The Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) is Zimbabwe’s leading standards development and conformity assessment organization responsible for promoting quality assurance, standardization, laboratory testing, and certification services across multiple industries.

SAZ plays an important role in ensuring product safety, food quality, laboratory compliance, and industrial standards through accredited testing and quality management systems.

Professionals seeking laboratory jobs, technical careers, or scientific opportunities in Zimbabwe can also browse current vacancies through technical jobs in Zimbabwe for updated opportunities across laboratory, engineering, manufacturing, and technical sectors.

Job Overview

The Technical Officer – Chemical & Foods Technology Division position is responsible for conducting laboratory analysis of raw materials, ingredients, and finished products while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and adherence to internationally recognized laboratory quality standards.

The successful candidate will support analytical testing, method development, laboratory quality assurance systems, standards development initiatives, and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory management systems.

This role is ideal for professionals interested in careers in:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Science & Technology
• Quality Assurance & Laboratory Management
• Chemical Testing & Instrumentation
• Standards Development
• Laboratory Compliance & Accreditation

Key Duties and Responsibilities (JD)

The Technical Officer will support laboratory operations while ensuring high-quality analytical testing and compliance with scientific protocols.

Laboratory Testing & Sample Analysis

• Prepare and analyze laboratory samples including:
  • Raw materials
  • Ingredients
  • Finished products
• Conduct accurate chemical and food-related analytical testing.
• Ensure consistency and reliability of analytical results.
• Maintain laboratory documentation and records.

Analytical Method Development

• Develop, optimize, and validate analytical testing methods.
• Support continuous laboratory improvement initiatives.
• Ensure testing methodologies meet industry and regulatory standards.
• Participate in troubleshooting analytical procedures.

Quality Assurance & ISO Compliance

• Implement and maintain the ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory Management System.
• Ensure compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Maintain quality control systems and testing procedures.
• Support internal and external laboratory audits.

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Reporting & Documentation

• Compile accurate and timely laboratory test reports.
• Maintain detailed testing records and laboratory logs.
• Update technical literature, analytical standards, and reference methods.
• Ensure laboratory information remains accurate and compliant.

Proficiency Testing & Standards Development

• Participate in:
  • Inter-laboratory comparison testing
  • Proficiency testing programs
  • Standards development initiatives
• Contribute technical expertise toward quality and standards enhancement.

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

The Technical Officer will operate and maintain sophisticated laboratory instruments including:

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
• Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES)
• Fourier Transform Near Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-NIR)
• Textile testing instruments

The role includes ensuring equipment calibration, maintenance, and operational efficiency.

Education Requirements

Applicants should possess:

Minimum Qualification

• National Diploma in:
  • Chemistry
  • Food Science
  • Biochemistry
  • Applied Chemical Sciences or related fields

Added Advantage

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Biochemistry, or related scientific disciplines.

Professional certifications in laboratory management, food safety, quality assurance, or analytical chemistry will be an added advantage.

Experience Requirements

Applicants must have:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a laboratory testing environment.
• Proven experience in analytical testing and laboratory procedures.
• Hands-on experience with scientific laboratory instruments.
• Experience in method development and analytical validation.

Preferred experience includes:

• ISO/IEC 17025 implementation
• Laboratory accreditation systems
• Quality management systems
• Food testing laboratories
• Chemical analytical laboratories

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Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Strong analytical and laboratory testing skills
• Instrument handling and troubleshooting
• Method development and validation
• Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory systems
• Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)

Computer Skills

Applicants should be computer literate and comfortable using:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Laboratory software systems
• Data recording and reporting tools

Soft Skills

The ideal candidate should possess:

• Strong communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Time management abilities
• Problem-solving skills
• Accuracy in reporting
• Ability to work independently and within a technical team

Training & Career Development

This position offers opportunities for professional development in:

• Laboratory quality systems
• ISO/IEC 17025 implementation
• Analytical method validation
• Scientific instrumentation operation
• Laboratory accreditation procedures
• Food and chemical standards development

Employees may also gain valuable experience in national standards formulation and scientific quality assurance.

Salary & Benefits

SAZ offers a competitive remuneration package aligned with qualifications, experience, and organizational policies.

Benefits may include:

• Competitive salary package
• Professional growth opportunities
• Laboratory technical training
• Exposure to accredited testing systems
• Career advancement opportunities

Work Environment

The Technical Officer will work in a professional laboratory environment requiring adherence to safety procedures, scientific accuracy, and quality assurance standards. The role demands professionalism, precision, and compliance with laboratory operational guidelines.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Standards Association of Zimbabwe is committed to an inclusive workplace that values diversity and promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates regardless of background.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates who meet the above requirements should submit:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Application letter
• Supporting academic and professional documents

Application Deadline: 29 Dec 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the recruitment process.