Organizational Setting
The Procurement Service (CSLP) of the Logistics Services Division (CSL) provides advice, guidance and oversight for FAO procurement operations and the Letter of Agreement Quality Assurance function both at headquarters and in FAO's 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 Procurement Service (CSLP) within the Logistics Services Division (CSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Procurement Officer reports to the Senior Procurement Officer.
Technical Focus
Timely, efficient and effective procurement of goods and services in compliance with the relevant FAO Rules and Regulations.
Key Results
Ensure that procurement activities comply with FAO's established policies and procedures and reflect best practice for public procurement.
Key Functions
• Plans, develops and supports all procurement and contractual aspects of significant complexity.
• Advises requisitioning units on the full range of procurement issues, providing support and guidance at all stages of the procurement cycle, meeting objectives under tight deadlines.
• Prepares solicitation process, identifies method of solicitation, drafts tendering documents, identifies sourcing strategy and distributes invitations to tender, primarily using e-tendering system and supports bid/proposals evaluations while ensuring the solicitation process is fair, objective and transparent and that it follows the general principles, as set forth in the FAO Manual Section.
• Prepares and presents cases to the relevant Procurement Committees.
• Participates in and conducts site inspections, bidder's conferences and contract negotiations.
• Conducts market research to keep abreast of market developments; research and analyses statistical data and market reports on the world commodity situation, production patterns and availability of goods and services.
• Contributes to updating procurement policies and related tools, provides procurement reporting as well as clarification/information for auditing purposes.
• Ensures the full implementation of corporate initiatives in accordance with the Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy to reduce emissions, increase efficiency and integrate sustainability and in line with the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System 2020-2030.
• Participates in the development of training and related training materials and promotes best practices and capacity development at FAO headquarters and the Decentralized Offices.
• Provides guidance to new/junior staff and stakeholders, ensures entry of accurate data using the Organizations ERP and related systems.
• Makes initial determinations and recommendations concerning disputes or claims arising from contractual instruments or procurement processes.
• Prepares monitoring reports, reviews and analyses data and makes recommendations based on findings.
Specific Functions
• Manages the assigned procurement activities of strategic or technically complex inputs, proposes strategic and long-term solutions for more efficient and effective procurement of the goods and services, inclusive of Long-Term Agreements, Cooperation with other UN agencies, etc.
• Manages the assigned requests for the ad hoc re-Delegations of Authority received from the Decentralized Offices.
• Participates in procurement missions worldwide, providing support and capacity building to the Decentralized Offices.
• Provides support for the corporate goods procurement planning process for both development and emergency portfolio and provides operation-related guidance and advice to Country Offices.
• Contributes to identifying and developing new and streamlined procurement workflows and procurement related initiatives for the efficient and effective procurement of goods in support of development and emergency programme delivery in the field.
• Contributes to development of guidelines on goods procurement operational aspects, relevant SOPs and supports the development of training material.
• May be requested to supervise more junior staff and consultants.
• Performs other duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, marketing or a related field and five years of relevant experience in procurement related activities with at least two in public procurement; OR
• A first-level degree in law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, marketing or a related field, seven years of work experience in procurement related activities with at least two in public procurement; and completion of professional qualification from an internationally recognized body such as CIPS (CIPS3) or equivalent level of other UN-wide recognized certifications.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (Intermediate - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of Corporate Environmental Responsibility.
• 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 including revising, drafting of contract, formulating options and proposing recommendations.
• Extent and relevance of experience in identifying clients' procurement-related needs and in providing support and guidance from clients' point of view.
• Demonstrated ability to draft complex documents in English.