Procurement Officer

Organizational Setting

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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 Erbil, Iraq.

Reporting Lines

The Procurement Officer reports to the Regional Procurement Officer in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE-CSLP) as technical supervisor for functional and policy guidance, 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 (LoA) 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, 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.
• 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 Organization’s Enterprise Resource Planning (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.
• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Undertakes the buyer function in conformity with FAO Rules and Regulations.
• Identifies opportunities for and 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.
• Reviews Letters of Agreement in conformity with the Quality Assurance function as set forth in FAO 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 logistics unit activities relating to custom clearance and shipment of goods under the purchase orders (Pos).

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree inin law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, marketing or a related field andfive 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 CIPS4, MCIPS, FCIPS or other UN-wide recognized certifications.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (Intermediate proficiency - 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 the 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.