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Director, Procurement and Supply Management

Washington D.C.

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Washington D.C.
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Logistics
    • Procurement
    • Supply Chain
    • Managerial positions
    • Office of the Director of Administration
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
This is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)
 
The Department of Procurement and Supply Management (PRO) provides technical, managerial and strategic guidance for the purchasing and contracting actions of Headquarters, PWRs, and Centers. PRO is responsible for sourcing, vendor relationship management, and procure-to-pay cycle on behalf of PAHO Member States in coordination with and in support of PAHO’s technical programs. PRO specifically manages procurement operations for vaccines and other essential health-related products on behalf of Member States constituting a significant share of the overall operations of the Organization. PRO also develops and oversees implementation of the Organization’s procurement policies and procedures in order to promote the effective use of the Organization’s resources ensuring transparent, ethical and cost effective procurement in compliance with PAHO rules and regulations.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general supervision of the Director (D), and the direct supervision of the Director of Administration (AM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties\: 
  1. Plan, organize, direct, control and coordinate the Organization’s procurement operations; provide strategic direction and advise   executive management on all issues related to procurement and contracting operations;
  2. Lead and coordinate implementation of strategies to enable the Department  to anticipate emerging procurement challenges and trends, to respond to new market dynamics, and to address current and future Member State needs, ensuring that the Organization’s procurement strategy remains aligned with applicable mandates and the Organization’s mission, business needs and priorities;
  3. Manage and mitigate the risks of procurement operations on behalf of Member States, providing strategic guidance to facilitate and enhance timely availability and delivery of essential high quality public health supplies at best prices; ensure alignment with international best practices and procedures where applicable;
  4. Formulate, recommend and monitor initiatives to develop and enhance the Department’s negotiation capabilities; guide and  monitor the bidding process for high value and complex contracts; ensure the  deployment of technical innovation to continuously increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of procurement operations;
  5. Serve as Business Owner of procurement-related business processes in the PAHO Management Information System (PMIS), monitoring their effectiveness and proposing enhancements; participate constructively in PMIS governance process;
  6. Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, Biennial Work plan (BWP) and budget of the department; administer, allocate and monitor the financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the program and budget proposals; ensure the timely monitoring, reporting and evaluation of results and accomplishments;
  7. Direct and participate in the development of policies and their implementation and provide authoritative advice in relation to policy and procedures under the areas of responsibility; establish the necessary mechanisms and the appropriate authority to ensure procedures and policies are followed;
  8. Promote collaborative relationships internally within PAHO between Headquarters and Country offices and share knowledge and best practices; identify opportunities for Procurement and Contracting collaboration across PAHO, within WHO, with other UN organizations or with other partners;
  9. Provide a stable managerial framework that demonstrates credibility, trust and value to Member States, clients and humanitarian and other donors; establish and maintain partnerships that promote and support such collaboration; provide assistance, when called upon, to institutions of Member States in the area of procurement and contracting;
  10. Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring of supervised staff; ensure guidance and monitoring of staff through setting of clear work objectives, use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts. Monitor the competencies of the staff to ensure optimal performance and staff development; monitor workloads to ensure equitable distribution of work and to maintain job satisfaction, efficiency and output; and follow up on any deviation of work results from objectives;
  11. Facilitate capacity building; promote development of knowledge and relevant skills within the different teams to ensure optimal performance and career development through mentoring and access to training;
  12. Represent the Organization in high level events, meetings, negotiations, policy discussions with partners and stakeholders and/or    industries related to procurement of vaccines and public health supplies, as delegated;
  13. Provide high level technical, managerial and policy advice to managers and actively support technical staff development in the area of procurement of vaccines and other public health supplies;
  14. Coordinate and lead organizational relations with the different stakeholders involved in the procurement of vaccines and public health supplies, as delegated;
  15. Promote a culture of ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organization’s Code of Ethical Principles and Conduct   in order to ensure a culture of respect, responsibility, accountability, and compliance;
  16. Perform other related duties, as assigned. 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 
Education\:
Essential\: A bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business administration, commerce, economics, public administration, or a related field from a recognized university.
 
Desirable\: Professional certification in Procurement and Supply Operations, such as CIPs4 or CPM would be an asset.
 
In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position.  WHO, 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 through the link\:  http\://www.whed.net/.  PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http\://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https\://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.
 
Experience\:
Essential\: Thirteen years of combined national and international progressively more responsible experience in procurement and/or contracting, in either the private or public sector, including supervisory experience.
 
Desirable\: Prior work experience in procurement in an international or multinational organization, preferably a UN agency, would be an asset.
 
SKILLS\:
PAHO Competencies\:
  • Intrainstitutional Action\:  Displays, through leadership and decisions, understanding of the political systems and underlying drivers.  Plans and evaluates both unit and individual results to achieve the PAHO's mission.  Requires that projects be grounded in scientific evidence and that they be consistent with PAHO's mission and values, and appropriate for the setting in which they will be carried out.  Demonstrates a full commitment to the mission and values of the Organization by aligning the area of work with the strategic direction of the Organization.  Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
  • Accountability\:  Develops a culture that utilizes accountability strategies at all levels and activities, processes, and functions in one’s area. Oversees the development and required dissemination of appropriate reports on the monitoring of interventions in terms of partial and final results, as well as all the activities of one’s area.
  • Communication\:  Instills a culture that encourages effective communication in multicultural environments.  Models effective dialogue that seeks all opportunities of conversation with key players by displaying or underlying drivers.  Seeks to align the area of work with a strategic direction of the Organization by displaying underlying values. 
  • Performance Management\:  Evaluates the performance of subordinates in terms of the organizational strategy, provides feedback offering measurable suggestions and promotes their professional development.  Develops and implements realistic and achievable work plans--including tasks, priorities, resources and schedules.  Adjusts goals and courses of action to meet changing needs.   In a systematic way develops people through demanding and challenging projects utilizing each employee's competencies. Effectively uses the Organization's official performance evaluation processes and systems.  Uses a regular evaluation system.  Provides constant and positive feedback to focus development efforts. 
  • Teamwork\:  Develops a high performing team in one’s operational area and also encourages teamwork across the Organization.    Establishes and models the standard for teams and teamwork.  Provides significant contributions when participating in internal and external work teams.  Initiates and leads mutually beneficial productive interpersonal relationships based on trust, both inside and outside the Organization. 
  • Continuous Learning\:  Establishes a culture of learning, encouraging--through one’s own behavior--initiative to keep up-to-date on trends in knowledge in the area of work.  Strategically adapts or develops constant world class best practices with the purpose of creating a significant difference in the Organization and in his/her area of work.  Significant contribution to efficiency. 
  • Service Orientation\:  Creates, maintains and encourages a client orientated culture.  Seeks information about the real, underlying needs of the client, beyond those expressed initially, and matches these to available (or customized) products or services.  Looks for long-term relationships with the client. 
  • External Action\:  Develops and maintains mutually beneficial working productive partnerships. In the area under one’s charge, monitors all activities, using transparency in the execution of all processes.  Verifies that the conditions and deadlines set for turning in the product are met, and can objectively report on the results.  Leverages external actors to actors to accomplish strategic goals. 
Technical Expertise\:
  • Technical\: Extensive progressive expertise at a senior level in international procurement of supplies and equipment. Ability to provide authoritative technical advice and leadership in areas of technical responsibility. Proven expertise in guiding the planning, organizing, scheduling and controlling of procurement activities, including the drafting of specifications, bid documents and contracts. Experience in international procurement of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, insecticides, medical supplies and equipment would be an asset.
  • Managerial\: Extensive expertise in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of a large public or private administration of administrative and technical matters requiring sensitive negotiations and high-level interventions. Demonstrated ability to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial and analytic work in health; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations, sensitive issues, establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background.
  • Administrative\: Skills in inter-departmental collaboration with other enabling and technical areas, and financial management for the delivery of expected results. 
Languages\:
Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language.  Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
 
IT Skills\:
Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer, the Microsoft Office software suite, and understand technical aspects of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.  Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset.
 
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary\: (Net of taxes)
US $85,543.00
 
Post Adjustment\: 44.3% of the above figure(s).  This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THIS VACANCY NOTICE MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER SIMILAR POSITIONS AT THE SAME GRADE LEVEL.
 
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
 
A written test may be used as a form of screening.
 
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
 
For information on PAHO please visit\: http\://www.paho.org
 
PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
 
PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
 
PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance).  Other benefits include\:  30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme.  Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.
 
Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
 
All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post. 

 

Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post.  The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.

This vacancy is now closed.
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