Procurement Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) – An intergovernmental organization, FAO has 194 Member Nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union. Its employees come from various cultural backgrounds and are experts in the multiple fields of activity FAO engages in. FAO’s staff capacity allows it to support improved governance inter alia, generate, develop and adapt existing tools and guidelines and provide targeted governance support as a resource to country and regional level FAO offices. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, FAO is present in over 130 countries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Procurement Officer

Vacancy Announcement: 2301431
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: Professional Project
Duration: Fixed-term: One year with possibility of extension
Organizational Unit: Logistics Services Division, CSL
Grade Level: P-4
Post Number: 2009550
CCOG Code: 1A09

Organizational Setting

• The Procurement Service (CSLP) provides advice, guidance and oversight for FAO procurement operations and the Letter of Agreement Quality Assurance function both at headquarters and in FAO Decentralized Offices; it provides policy and operational support to ensure that the Organization procures goods, works and services based on “Best Value for Money” principles.
• The post is located in the FAO Representation in Abuja, Nigeria.

Reporting Lines:

• The Procurement Officer reports to the Senior Procurement Officer under the overall functional and policy guidance of the Chief, CSLP, and administratively to the highest-ranking officer in the duty station.

Technical Focus:

• Timely, efficient and effective procurement of goods and services and Quality Assurance for Letters of Agreement in compliance with the relevant FAO Rules and Regulations.

Key Results

• The planning and delivery of procurement services in accordance with internal policies, UN procurement guidelines and International Standards.

Key Functions

• Leads and/or participates in teams and provides expertise on Organization-wide committees or working groups, and/or supervises staff.
• Supervises, oversees and/or contributes to the delivery of procurement/contractual reporting and activities/services in accordance with FAO policies and regulatory framework.
• Develops and updates the supporting operational, policy, control and/or risk management frameworks, involving the implementation of the latest approaches and methodologies, streamlined business processes, new/revised procurement policies and related tools, systems, technologies and related procedures.
• Analyses procurement information for inclusion in statutory reports, management reports, procurement statements, and/or reports to donors as well as other specific reports for Governing Bodies, donors and other partners.
• Responds to requests for assistance and provides procurement and regulatory advice and assistance to managers at headquarters and Decentralized Offices.
• Coordinates and ensures initiatives under the Organization’s work on the Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy to reduce emissions, increase efficiency and integrate sustainability into the Organization’s daily operations.
• Develops effective working relationships including coaching, mentoring and evaluating staff in the local procurement unit and resolves problems with external providers, donors, partners, and UN procurement executives as well as provides information/clarification to auditors.
• Participates in the development of training and related training materials and promotes best practices and capacity development at headquarters and Decentralized Offices.

Specific Functions

• Advises requisitioning units and recipient entities on the full range of procurement issues, providing support and guidance at all stages of the procurement cycle including preparation of tender’s evaluation criteria, meeting objectives under tight deadline.
• Prepares and supports the submission of cases to the Local and Headquarters Procurement Committees as appropriate.
• Participates in and conducts site inspections, bidder conferences, and contract negotiations, as necessary.
• Conducts market research to keep abreast of market developments, research and analyses statistical data and market reports on required goods and services, production patterns and availability of goods and services.
• Undertakes the buyer function in conformity with FAO’s rules and regulations.
• Identifies and makes initial determinations and recommendations concerning disputes or claims arising out of procurement actions.
• Prepares solicitation process, identifies method of solicitation, prepares tendering documents, distributes invitations to tender and conducts all aspects of bid/proposals evaluations as well as ensures that the solicitation process is fair, objective, and transparent and that it follows the general principles, as set forth in the FAO Manual Section.
• Organizes and participates in, as appropriate, local tender opening panels and the Local Procurement Committee (LPC).
• Coordinates with forwarding agents relating to custom clearance, packing, and shipment of goods and maintains logistics records of such procurement-related activities.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree in Law, Business / Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Commerce, Marketing or a related field.
• Seven (7) years of relevant experience in procurement related activities including at least three years of supervisory experience.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies:

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationship
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical / Functional Skills:

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and of all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for a diverse range of goods and services.
• Extent and relevance of experience in public sector procurement dealing with complex contractual issues, revise and draft contract, formulate options and propose recommendations.
• Extent and relevance of experience in identifying clients’ procurement-related needs and in providing support and guidance from clients’ point of view.
• Extent and relevance of experience in logistics operations is desirable.
• Knowledge of procurement-related IT tools and systems (i.e. enterprise resource planning, inventory management, procurement, database management applications, etc.).

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Additional Information

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Note

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
• All candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

Application Deadline 7th June, 2023 (4:59:00 PM)