Senior Procurement Officer

Organizational Setting

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’s Decentralized Offices; it establishes the overall procurement strategy and 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 Procurement Service (CSLP) in the Logistics Services Division (CSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Procurement Officer reports to the Chief, Procurement Service.

Technical Focus

Management and overview of procurement activities carried out for field operations and emergencies.

Key Results

As delegated and required, plans and manages major procurement service areas to support the effective management of FAO resources and safeguard the Organization's assets/services/goods in accordance with internal policies, UN procurement guidelines and International Standards.

Key Functions

• Provides strategic guidance and leadership on procurement matters for headquarters and Decentralized Offices.

• As delegated, leads and guides the formulation of procurement and Letter of Agreement strategies, policies and procedures.

• Plans and manages procurement-service teams, provides leadership/secretariat services to the ad hoc committees, leads and/or participates in Organization-wide committees or working groups, and/or supervises staff.

• Develops operational/work plans and oversees and/or coordinates procurement/contractual service areas and related activities, monitors risks, procurement/contractual controls and ensures compliance with FAO policies and regulatory framework.

• Directs the development and updating of the supporting operational, policy, control and/or risk management frameworks, involving the latest approaches and methodologies, streamlined business processes, new/revised procurement/contractual policies, and related tools, systems, technologies and related procedures.

• Directs the preparation/review/analysis of statutory and/or management reports, procurement/contractual statements, reports to donors as well as specific reports for Governing Bodies, donors and other partners.

• Analyses complex procurement/contractual and risk related issues and provides advice and assistance to managers at headquarters, Decentralized Offices, ad hoc committees and/or Governing Bodies, etc.

• Represents FAO and develops consensus on procurement/contractual matters with external providers, donors, partners, and UN procurement executives and provides information/clarification to auditors.

• Ensures and promotes initiatives under the Organization's work on Corporate Environmental Responsibility, to reduce emissions, increase efficiency and integrate sustainability into the Organization's daily operations, in accordance with the Corporate Environmental Responsibility Policy and with the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System 2020-2030.

• Promotes best practices and capacity development at headquarters and Decentralized Offices and leads and/or participates in related training.

Specific Functions

• Coordinates and manages the response of the Procurement Service as part of the multi-stakeholder corporate response to Outbreaks/Emergencies, including representing the Procurement Service at headquarters coordination meetings, assessing supply chain challenges, arranging for the set-up of procurement teams or deployment of adequate procurement resources to the theatre of operations (Emergency International Procurement Officers) and securing back-stopping from headquarters.

• Leads the team responsible for the procurement of strategic or technically complex inputs, sets-up strategic direction and identifies long-term solutions for more efficient and effective procurement of the same, inclusive of Long-Term Agreements, Outsourcing to other UN agencies, etc.

• Supports the corporate goods procurement planning process for both development and emergency portfolio and provides operation-related guidance and advice to Country Offices.

• Leads the Category Management Initiative for the efficient and effective procurement of goods in support of development and emergency programme delivery in the field.

• Contributes to identifying and validating new procurement workflows and procurement related ERP development.

• Leads process of development of guidelines on goods procurement operational aspects, relevant SOPs and supports the development of training material.

• Reviews recommendations concerning disputes or claims arising out of procurement actions.

• Oversees and manages remotely a network of procurement professionals in the fields, including management of recruitment and deployment of procurement specialists, as well as development and maintenance of global roster of procurement specialists.

• Manages team operations and mobilizes resources effectively, including that includes coordination and negotiation with internal stakeholders to secure financial support as needed.

• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in business administration, law, finance, commerce or a related field.

• Ten years of experience in procurement activities in an international organization including a proven record of managing and delivering complex procurement programmes and record of relevant field experience.

• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Leading, Engaging and Empowering

• Communication

• Partnering and Advocating

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.

• Extent and relevance of experience in procurement activities in an international setting which include a proven record of managing and delivering complex procurement programmes.

• Extent and relevance of experience in assessing critical linkages between procurement and business functions and the ability to deal effectively with internal clients within a multicultural environment and a large range of external stakeholders.

• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting reports and other communication material clearly and concisely in English.

• Management and procurement experience in the UN common system is desirable.

• Extent and relevance of experience in managing and supervising staff.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of the Corporate Environmental Responsibility.