Head of Procurement

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

Job Category:

This is an external vacancy notice open to external candidates and WTO staff. It is posted on the WTO internal as well as external career site. Eligible WTO staff on short-term, fixed-term or regular contracts and interns must apply through the Workday internal career site.

This is a Fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension, unless specified in the vacancy notice.

The WTO seeks to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity and to build an organization that is representative of the Members and People it serves. As an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, the WTO gives full regard to competence and welcome applications from qualified candidates irrespective of age, disability status, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, social origin or any other characteristic. Applications from non-represented Members (link) are particularly encouraged for all positions.

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The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Head of Procurement in the Finance and Corporate Services Division (FCSD).

The Procurement Section works to obtain high quality goods and services from companies that meet the applicable specifications, at competitive prices and within the timeframe required, thereby supporting the WTO Secretariat in achieving its objectives.

General Functions

Reporting to the Director of the Division, the role of the Head of Procurement is to provide responsive, effective, and quality expert Procurement services and business advice, while achieving best value for money and ensuring a competitive, fair, and transparent process in accordance with established Regulations, Rules, and procedures.

To this extent, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1. Plan, develop, and manage the activities of the Procurement Section involving multi-million-dollar expenditures for a broad range of commodities and services; procure goods and services at the request of clients;

2. Provide authoritative technical and policy advice on all aspects of procurement; develop and disseminate best practices;

3. Serve as principal advisor to senior management and WTO Secretariat Contracts Committee required to consider all contracts above a certain threshold;

4. Lead and direct the Procurement Section team; plan and allocate work assignments; coach, mentor, and evaluate staff;

5. Analyse complex and/or critical procurement proposals, determine appropriate procurement strategies and approaches to best serve institutional interests, and ensure implementation;

6. Direct, manage, and conduct planning, solicitation, negotiation, and if necessary, termination of contractual and procurement action;

7. Develop and recommend strategy for the effective implementation of procurement policies and reforms; engineer and/or streamline procurement processes and procedures;

8. Implement, disseminate, and promote the Organization’s procurement policies and procedures, including training of the Organization's staff;

9. Represent the Organization in key meetings with senior officials internally and externally, including in negotiations with senior executives of various commercial organizations for the purpose of concluding major contracts;

10. Interact with managers of various internal and external services and divisions, including auditors, senior staff in other UN organizations, and diplomatic missions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree in Procurement Management, Contract Management, Business Administration, or another relevant discipline is required.

Recognized professional training and/or certification in the area of procurement (e.g., CIPS or equivalent) is required.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Solid understanding of the Financial Regulations and Rules of international organizations, in particular to the regulations focusing on the administration of procurement procedures.

• Ability to develop and promote strategic procurement vision, mission, and goals.

• Excellent team management skills.

• Strong project management skills.

• Working knowledge of risk assessment.

• Familiarity with automated procurement systems as well as of Microsoft Office applications.

• Advanced computing and office applications especially spreadsheet and word processing applications. Advanced ERP software skills especially on procurement modules; experience with Oracle EBS an advantage.

Behavioural Skills:

• Excellent coordination, negotiation, and persuasion techniques.

• A forward-looking mindset with a willingness and desire to think outside the box and a proactive attitude.

• Developed diplomatic skills and high level of tact, political awareness, and sensitivity.

• Maturity of judgment, sense of responsibility, and initiative.

• Capacity to propose solutions to unusual procurement problems.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; analytical skills; negotiation and conflict resolution skills; training skills.

• Empathy and ability to adapt and develop partenrships with internal and external stakehodlers; persuade others to a point of view.

Organizational Competencies:

Core Competencies: 

• Communicating for Results

• Effective Collaboration

• Cultivating Progressive Growth

• Professional Accountability

• Relevant Digital Proficiency

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Leadership and Management Competencies:

• Talent Centred Leadership

• Coordinated Cross Functional Leadership

• Self-Aware Leadership

• Strategic Leadership

Work Experience:

At least eight years' relevant experience in procurement, contract management, administration, or related area of which at least five years were in a supervisory position, is required.

Experience in implementing operational procurement procedures is required.

Experience in multi-level and cross-disciplinary relationship management is required.

Experience in an international organization or government entity is desired.

Languages:

Fluency in English and French is required.

Knowledge of Spanish is desired.

Additional Information:
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 

The recruitment process will be undertaken as per Administrative Memorandum No. 976 (OFFICE(16)/15) on Staff Promotions and external recruitment through Vacancy Notices.

The initial fixed-term contract for positions up to grade 10 shall normally be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy. For Director positions, the Policy on evaluation of directors apply as per Administrative Memorandum No. 978 (OFFICE(17)/29).

The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks. 

Applicants may be required to sit a written examination. 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. 

Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 24 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time – stated in the vacancy announcement. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

The WTO is a non-smoking environment.