Procurement Officer

1A091A09

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting
The Procurement Service (CSLP) provides policy and operational support to ensure that the Organization procures Goods, Services, Works and Letters of Agreement based on 'Best Value for Money' principles.
Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors. The activities of the FAO Country Offices include design and implementation of country-tailored field programmes, liaison with local donor representatives, and active public awareness-raising and outreach activities related to FAO initiatives such as the World Food Day.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Maputo, Mozambique.

Reporting Lines
The Procurement Officer reports to the Regional Procurement Officer in the Regional Office for Africa (RAF-CSLP) for functional and policy guidance and administratively to the highest-ranking Officer in the duty station.

Technical Focus
Procurement of goods, works and services and quality assurance for Letters of Agreement in compliance with FAO's 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 manages all procurement and contractual aspects of significant complexity;
• Advises requisitioning units on the full range of procurement issues, providing support and guidance at all stage 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, also 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; researches 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;
• 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 Organization’s 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 make recommendations based on findings;
• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions
• Undertakes the Buyer function in conformity with FAO’s rules and regulations;
• Reviews Letters of Agreement in conformity with the Quality Assurance function as set forth in FAO’s rules and regulations;
• Identifies and makes initial determinations and recommendations concerning disputes or claims arising out of procurement actions;
• 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 maintain logistics records of such procurement-related activities.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in law, business/public administration, economics, commerce or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in procurement related activities with at least two in public procurement;
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of Spanish.

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

Technical/Functional Skills
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of French or Spanish and demonstrated ability to draft complex documents in either these languages is considered a strong asset.
• 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.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.