Procurement Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries, employing thousands of professionals dedicated to improving health outcomes globally. WHO's work is guided by its General Programme of Work, which outlines strategic priorities and objectives to enhance health systems and ensure universal health coverage.

Job Overview:
The Procurement Officer position at WHO's Country Office in Syria is crucial for ensuring the effective procurement of goods and services necessary for various health programs. The incumbent will work under the direction of the Procurement Officer and the Senior Operations Officer, focusing on analyzing procurement requests, ensuring compliance with WHO guidelines, and facilitating the timely delivery of essential health supplies. This role requires a proactive approach to managing procurement processes, including drafting purchase orders, preparing bid invitations, and maintaining supplier databases. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting WHO's mission to improve health services in Syria by ensuring that procurement activities align with the organization's strategic goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze and process procurement requests for goods and services across different technical and emergency programs, ensuring compliance with WHO procurement guidelines and accuracy of information.
• Initiate local purchase requests using the GSM system for both catalogue and non-catalogue items, monitoring their status and ensuring timely processing and delivery.
• Draft amendments to purchase orders as necessary, providing justifications and uploading supporting documents in the RMS.
• Prepare requests for price estimates for non-catalogue items, obtaining estimated costs from the Regional Logistics and Supply Unit or HQ, and implementing procurement decisions made by technical units and supervisors.
• Draft bid invitations and related correspondence, compile offers, and prepare summaries of bids, including pricing and conditions, along with adjudication reports with recommendations.
• Organize meetings for the Country Procurement Committee, coordinating with partners to identify suitable dates and disseminating necessary background documents.
• Maintain and update the suppliers' database, ensuring completion of supplier evaluation forms for all contracted suppliers.
• Prepare periodic procurement reports and briefings on transaction statuses for supervisor review, initiating correspondence to verify data and address any gaps.
• Perform additional duties related to the area of work and provide coverage for colleagues as required.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include completion of secondary education supplemented by training in a relevant field. A university degree in business administration, social sciences, or a related field is desirable. Candidates must demonstrate proven knowledge of procurement regulations and procedures, strong negotiation skills, and excellent organizational abilities. Good analytical skills are also essential for this role, as is the ability to meet deadlines and work effectively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary education, with additional training in a field related to procurement or operations. A university degree in business administration, social sciences, or a related field is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the position.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of progressive experience in procurement within the UN System or a similar international organization. This experience should demonstrate a solid understanding of procurement processes and regulations, as well as the ability to manage complex procurement tasks effectively.

Languages:
A good knowledge of the English language is essential for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within WHO. Additionally, a good knowledge of Arabic is desirable, given the local context and the need to communicate effectively with local suppliers and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening. Candidates selected for an interview will need to provide scanned copies of their required educational qualifications in advance. WHO emphasizes the importance of recruiting staff from a diverse geographical background and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and adheres to the highest ethical standards. The position offers an annual net base salary starting at USD 14,831, with additional benefits including 30 days of annual leave. The successful candidate will be required to confirm vaccination status as per WHO requirements before undertaking the assignment.