Procurement Officer

Organizational Setting

The Procurement Service (CSLP) provides policy and operational support to ensure that the Organization procures goods works and services based on Best Value for Money principles. The Procurement Officer performs procurement activities related to the preparation of tender documents draft and finalization of contracts or Purchase Orders (POs) for goods works and services for FAOs Decentralized Offices.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Abuja Nigeria and will oversee the procurement units in FAO Decentralized Offices in Nigeria and Niger.

Reporting Lines

The Procurement Officer reports to the Designated Procurement Officer (CSLP) for functional and policy guidance and administratively to the FAO Representative of the FAO Decentralized Office where they are located.

Technical Focus

Execution of procurement activities for goods and services including quality assurance for Letters of Agreement (LoAs) ensuring adherence to FAO rules regulations and procurement best practices.

Key Results
Ensure that procurement activities comply with FAOs 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 rules and processes as set forth in the FAO Manual Section.

• Prepares and presents cases to the relevant Procurement Committees.

• Participates in and conducts site inspections bidders conferences and contract negotiations as necessary.

• 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 procedures and rules as well as 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 Organizations Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and related systems.

• Makes initial determinations and recommendations concerning conflict avoidance approaches 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

• Provides technical support across the procurement cycle including planning solicitation bid evaluation contract award and contract management ensuring compliance with FAO rules and public procurement best practices.

• Guides requisitioning units on procurement strategies market approaches and evaluation criteria enabling efficient timely and compliant procurement under tight deadlines.

• Prepares and implements transparent competitive procurement processes (Request for Quotations (RFQs) Invitations to Bid (ITBs) Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Request for Expression of Interest (EOIs)) including the selection of LoA service providers ensuring value for money and adherence to FAO procedures.

• Ensures quality assurance and compliance for Letters of Agreement (LoAs) in line with organizational standards.

• Supports and reviews submissions to Local Regional and Headquarters Procurement Committees; participates in tender panels and review committees and prepares the re-delegation requests where applicable.

• Monitors procurement activities using FAO systems (e.g. iMIS) tracking progress identifying bottlenecks and facilitating timely renewals amendments and reporting.

• Contributes to procurement integrity through risk-based compliance checks post-facto reviews and promotion of ethical standards and fraud prevention mechanisms.

• Participates in UN country procurement working groups promoting joint procurement opportunities and enhancing UN coherence at the country level.

• Participates in the implementation of global and regional procurement initiatives in close coordination with FAO headquarters and the network of Country Office Procurement Officers.

• Supports emergency preparedness by enabling procurement readiness fostering cross-functional collaboration and promoting a culture of strategic results-oriented procurement in emergency and development contexts.

• Leads and supervises the procurement team in the office providing functional oversight mentoring and promoting continuous learning and adherence to FAO procurement policies.

• Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in law business/public administration finance economics commerce marketing or a related field and five 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 the 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 public sector procurement dealing with complex contractual issues including revising drafting of contract formulating options and proposing recommendation.

• 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 and French.

• A Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of French is essential.

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

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 FAOs 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.

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAOand complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications and language skills;
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile;
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application;
Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
Please note that FAO 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 at These qualificationsshould be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work character education military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications;
Incomplete applications will not be considered;
Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAOs behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications assessment tests background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by withdrawing your application in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered;
Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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