Senior Procurement Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing, across all 34 provinces, in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In 2022-2023, FAO will, under the life-saving assistance Outcome (1) of the UN Transitional Engagement Framework (TEF), focus on the following four priority actions: (i) Safeguarding Wheat Seed Security, (ii) Enhancing Local Production of Nutritious Food, (iii) Livestock Protection and Dairy Sector Support, and (iv) Restoring Irrigation Structures to Boost Cash Incomes. Additionally, FAO will contribute towards resilience building activities under Outcome 2 of the TEF.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Procurement Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the direct supervision of the International Procurement Officer and technical guidance of CSLP in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and Headquarters.

Technical Focus

The Senior Procurement Specialist performs day-to-day procurement operations, including specialized and complex processes and functions, ensuring consistency, timeliness, and conformity with relevant rules, procedures, and practices. S/he provides procedural guidance to clients regarding procurement procedures and contributes to timely and efficient procurement operations.

Tasks and responsibilities

• In strict compliance with FAO procurement guidelines and relevant FAO Manual Section provisions reviews, check, monitor and implement the procurement steps as per established check lists and Standard Operating Procedures; • Lead procurement processes, focusing on achievement of the following results: o Routine follow-up on procurement and informing the supervisor of the status; o Undertake the Buyer function in conformity with FAO rules and regulations; o Identify and make initial determinations and recommendations concerning disputes or claims arising out procurement action; o Provide advice on the best procurement strategy and regarding procurement planning requirements; o Analyses complex procurement/contractual and risk related issues and provides advice and assistance; o Prepare and support the submission of cases to the Local and Headquarters Procurement Committees as appropriate; o Written responses to queries from external parties regarding procurement matters; o Establishment and maintenance of working files on procurement activity, including printing of all offers (for the assigned cases) from the e-tendering portal after the formal Opening by the Tender Opening Panel; o Preparation of letters, memoranda, email, etc. to monitor progress and liaise with vendors during the entire procurement cycle; examination and resolution of post-order problems and preparation of progress reports on procurement matters; o Liaison with the requesters on receipt of goods, equipment's and services given obtaining the proper delivery reports or similar to ensure all supporting documents are available for audit and review purpose; o Provide monthly reports on status of contracts progress and payment to Programme, Procurement and Operations Teams; o Conduct market research to add more qualified Service Providers to the database of shortlisted Service Providers practicing due diligence in verifying the Profile and Past Performance of the Service Providers; o Prepare and bi-monthly work on Procurement Plan together with the Procurement and make analyses of planned activities vis-à-vis planned dates to identify bottlenecks and ways of improvement; • Implement the procurement plans through the issuance of tenders, following up on the evaluations, preparing commercial evaluations, drafting the submissions to the Review Committees, issuing contractual instruments (Contracts and GRMS ERP Purchase Orders), following up on delivery and closing the contractual instruments; • Lead the preparation of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, and their preliminary evaluation; • Ensure the adoption of all World Bank procurement guidelines for all types of project-related procurement of irrigation rehabilitation contract works, goods and supplies; • Performs any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master’s) or a university degree (Bachelor’s) Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Commerce, Law or closely related field. • For advanced degree at least seven (7) years of professional experience in procurement, supply chain, contract management or related area of work. • For university degree at least ten (10) years of professional experience in procurement, supply chain, contract management or related area of work. • Working knowledge (level C) of English and local languages (Pashto and/or Dari). • National of Afghanistan.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with UN agencies administrative, finance and procurement operations systems is highly desirable; • Strong familiarity with internationally recognised international standards and all phases of the procurement process; • Experience in identifying client’s procurement related needs and in providing support and guidance from a client’s point of view; • Ability to prepare communication and contractual documentation in English; • Ability to identify and resolve problems expeditiously and pragmatically; tact, initiative and sound judgment; ability to establish and maintain good working relations with other staff / colleagues from different cultural background; • Previous experience with the UN is considered a strong asset; • Strong professional command of Microsoft Office, in particular Word and Excel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• 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 http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.