🚩 Vacancy Announcement n°: 400749

📢 Job Title: Call for Roster - Procurement Officer (Food – smallholder farmers and Local Regional Procurement, Food Systems) - Consultant Level II, RBDakar

✨ Contract type and Grade: Regular Consultant Level II (Full time)

✅ Unit / Division: Supply Chain

📧 Duration: Assignments with a range of one (1) to eleven (11) months

📍   Duty Station: Regional Bureau Dakar, Senegal

⏰ Closing date: 17 March 2023

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance. Female Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operates in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger. At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. 

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP), and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news:  YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

COUNTRY CONTEXT/ ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The WFP West Africa region extends from Mauritania to Chad and along the coast from Cameroon to Senegal. It consists of 19 countries; Benin Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.  The Regional Bureau for West & Central Africa (RBD) is based in Dakar and provides strategic guidance, technical support, and direction to country operations in these countries.

The Supply Chain Unit at RBD is part of the substantive function within the Operations Management section under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations Management. It is responsible for end-to-end Planning, Food Procurement, Goods & Services Procurement, Food Safety & Quality, Logistics, In-House Shipping, Warehousing, Aviation, and Cash-Based Transfers (CBT) that empower beneficiaries with the flexibility to make their own decisions when it comes to buying food.  

WFP’s operations depend on the efficient and effective purchase and supply of a vast range of food, goods and services. One of the critical functions of the Procurement Unit in the Regional Bureau for Western Africa is to procure food commodities, implement Local Regional Procurement Policy (LRPP) to bring on board efficiencies and effectiveness in programmes that promote rural transformation, food systems to support WFP operations in the region. Finally, as the second line of defence, the Regional Procurement Unit provides oversight and regular technical guidance on complex and high-value procurement cases.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

RBD Supply Chain staff (Logistics, Procurement & Food safety) use their expertise, and all means at their disposal to ensure that vast quantities of food and other essential items are available and that they reach those who need them mostly. Procurement Officers report to Senior Supply Chain Officer, who head the Supply Chain Unit. At this grade level, Procurement Officers demonstrate adaptive capacities in effective supply chain management and make significant independent contributions to the planning and development of operating policies and procedures. They are expected to manage and complete projects or assignments of a major nature achieving effective outputs. 

This call for the roster - Procurement Officer (Food Procurement), Consultant level II is published to attain two objectives:

(i) create a pipeline of talent to facilitate a quick selection and deployment of Food Procurement experts in any of the countries that fall under the WFP Regional Bureau of West Africa on a need basis and;

(ii) to give an opportunity to Food Procurement experts to express interest in being part of this roster to meet the first objective.

This announcement is not related to any current open position. However, all applications received will be reviewed and will be subject to a selection process to assess the relevant professional experience and qualifications of the candidates.

ACCOUNTABILITIES / RESPONSABILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Regional Procurement Officer at the Regional Bureau Dakar, Senegal, the Procurement Consultant (Food – smallholder farmers and Local Regional Procurement, food systems) will have the unique opportunity to influence WFP's work in the region and to ensure that, by working in innovative ways, WFP delivers real results for the millions of people in the region who face food insecurity. The consultant will be responsible for leading on and providing technical advice and oversight to procurement field operations of moderate complexity, partnering with the key supply chain functions to ensure an integrated supply chain approach to meeting the food assistance needs of beneficiaries. This role includes, but is not limited to, the following accountabilities: 

1. Design a procurement strategy for buying food commodities from traders and smallholder farmers (SHF)
2. Consolidate and analyse data from which to inform Country sourcing strategies or plan
3. Consolidate and analyse data to inform Country Office sourcing strategies or plan specialist procurement initiatives that support effective and cost-optimizing purchase decisions, whether from traditional suppliers or off-takers
4. specialist procurement initiatives that support effective and cost-optimizing purchase decisions
5. Provide oversight, guidance, and support with/to COs with complex procurement needs (such as involving high value commodities, a wide range of programmes, combination of specialised nutritional foods) on implementing best practice procurement policies and procedures, ensuring a strategic, forward purchasing approach to procurement in compliance with wider WFP policies, standards, and regulations; establish Regional Food Supply Agreements (FSAs) and Regional  inspection company Long Term Agreements
6. Lead the implementation of highly complex procurement projects in COs to ensure successful procurement of food; implementation of Local Regional Procurement Policy (LRPP, Smallholder Farmer engagement, food systems)
7. Develop and maintain strong relationships with all relevant suppliers to improve service delivery and resolve supplier related issues. Ensure valid vendor roster for key food items ranging from cereals, processed food, specialised nutritional, and is valid and intact  
8. Manage and coordinate effective relationships with inspection and superintendent firms to ensure quality control, specification conformity, volume assessment, monitoring, and verification of deliveries.
9. Work in close collaboration with senior cross functional colleagues to align procurement activities and promote an integrated supply-chain approach to food assistance.
10. Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely reports of procurement activities to contribute to a WFP wide view that enables informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders leading to performance optimization.
11. Manage or oversee all auditing oversight mission and compliance reports of procurement activities ensuring recommendations are responded to appropriately to ensure conformity with compliance rules
12. Lead and motivate a large or highly specialized procurement team providing coaching, training and guidance as required to ensure appropriate development and enable high
13. Provide expert advice and guidance to WFP staff and external partners and governments, building capacity to take a strategic and proactive approach to the procurement of food and non-food commodities and services.
14. Provide training and capacity building of procurement staff and other identified stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability of the project outcomes, with a view of strengthening staff capacities and skills, filling skills gap and support institutional strengthening.
15. Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
16. Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitor the management of procurement specific risks.
17. Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance needs.
18. Others as required

DELIVERABLES:

• Timely development and implementation of country food sourcing strategies, implementation of Local Regional Procurement Policy
• Ensure findings from audit, oversight and compliance missions are timely addressed.
• Ensure all records and documentation of the procurement actions are timely and duly updated in the system for audit queries and other operation needs.
• Prepares and circulate periodic reports on the procurement related activities.
• Review the risk inventory and prepares analysis of risk mitigation plan,
• Successful expertise guidance to WFP staff and external partners and governments, building capacity to take a strategic and proactive approach to the procurement of food and non-food commodities and services

Education:

You have

• Advanced university degree (recognized by https://www.whed.net/home.php) in Economics, Commerce, Business Administration, Engineering, Legal or Accounting or other relevant field, or first university degree with additional years of relevant professional level experience. Professional certifications in Procurement would be an asset.

 Should you not find your university degree in this link kindly note that it will be your responsibility to obtain a formal letter from your Ministry of Education stating their recognition of the university and degree.

Experience:

You have:

At Five (5) to ten (10) years i.e., Level II, of relevant progressively responsible professional experience in food commodity markets as well as goods and services needed for operational support.

The following specific experiences are targeted:

• Small Holder Farmer engagement [For purchasing from farmers]
• Services, etc.).
• Food Procurement; Smallholder farmers, Food systems.

Desirable Experiences:

• Demonstrated experience of successful handling of complex and high value of procurement in local and/or international environment, Proven experience in emergency operations
• Direct Experience communicating and coordinating with UN Agencies, large international conglomerates
• Experience working with suppliers/vendors (including but not limited to retailers, wholesalers and traders) and engaging them in strategic business partnership with WFP operation in the country,

Languages:

Fluency (level C in reading, writing and speaking) in English and French.

You have developed the following Knowledge & Skills: 

• Good knowledge of local and international procurement practice with exposure on food procurement, food inspection
• Understanding of supply chain concept and role of the procurement in this business process.
• Ability to compile market surveys, basic feasibility studies or concept notes, basic project proposals and documents of the same nature.
• Capable of integrating WFP procurement capacity into capacity enhancement of local market and promotion of programme innovations (small holder farmers).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• All applications received will be reviewed and go through a selection process to assess relevant experience and qualifications. Based on the assessment results, successful candidates will be placed in a roster at consultant level II. Applicants who meet the selection criteria may be contacted for further interviews or assessments and to confirm their continued interest and availability for short-term opportunities ranging between 1 to 11 months.
• The roster validity is for a period of 24 months from the date on which the candidate is notified of their success.

Deadline for application: 17 March 2023

WFP Value Proposition

•  Meaningful and impactful careers - Our day-to-day work makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
• Continuous learning and training - We provide learning tools for our staff to continually develop their careers.
• Multicultural and stimulating working environment - We encourage gender and cultural diversity to make our teams stronger.

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU APPLY

• All employment decisions are made based on organisational needs, job requirements, merit and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
•  No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Join Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
• Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.  WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
•  Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance
• WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
• WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
• All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

Special Notice on WFP RBD office relocation:

WFP and other UN Agencies will be moving to the new United Nations House, presently under construction in Diamniadio, 30 kilometers from downtown Dakar. The name of the duty station for this position will remain Dakar, Senegal.

Special recommendation:

Before you apply, please confirm that both (i) your on-line profile and CV are accurate and up to date, (ii) your CV should include your employment history, academic qualifications, and language skills.