Procurement Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Procurement Service (CSLP) is a vital component of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which is dedicated to ensuring that the organization procures goods, works, and services based on the principles of 'Best Value for Money'. The FAO was established in 1945 and operates in over 130 countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members who work towards achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and improving nutrition, promoting sustainable agriculture, and supporting rural development. The Procurement Service plays a crucial role in facilitating the procurement process to support FAO's mission and objectives.

Job Overview:
The Procurement Officer is responsible for executing procurement activities related to the preparation of tender documents, drafting and finalizing contracts or Purchase Orders (POs) for goods, works, and services specifically for FAO's Decentralized Offices. This position is located in Abuja, Nigeria, and oversees procurement units in both Nigeria and Niger. The role requires a strong focus on ensuring compliance with FAO's established policies and procedures while reflecting best practices for public procurement. The Procurement Officer will provide technical support across the procurement cycle, including planning, solicitation, bid evaluation, contract award, and contract management, ensuring that all activities adhere to FAO rules and public procurement best practices. The officer will also guide requisitioning units on procurement strategies and market approaches, enabling efficient and timely procurement under tight deadlines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Procurement Officer's duties include planning, developing, and supporting all procurement and contractual aspects of significant complexity. They will advise requisitioning units on a full range of procurement issues, providing support and guidance at all stages of the procurement cycle. The officer will prepare the solicitation process, identify methods of solicitation, draft tendering documents, and distribute invitations to tender while ensuring the process is fair, objective, and transparent. They will also prepare and present cases to relevant Procurement Committees, conduct site inspections, bidder's conferences, and contract negotiations as necessary. Additionally, the officer will conduct market research to stay updated on market developments and contribute to updating procurement policies and procedures. They will ensure the implementation of corporate initiatives in line with the Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy and participate in the development of training materials to promote best practices. The officer will also provide guidance to new or junior staff and stakeholders, ensuring accurate data entry using the Organization's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. They will prepare monitoring reports, review and analyze data, and make recommendations based on findings, while also performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, marketing, or a related field, along with five years of relevant experience in procurement-related activities, including at least two years in public procurement. Alternatively, candidates with a first-level degree in the same fields must have seven years of work experience in procurement-related activities, with at least two years in public procurement, and must have completed a professional qualification from an internationally recognized body such as CIPS4, MCIPS, FCIPS, or other UN-wide recognized certifications. Candidates should also demonstrate a 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).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, or marketing. Alternatively, a first-level degree in these fields is acceptable, provided the candidate has sufficient work experience in procurement-related activities. Completion of a professional qualification from an internationally recognized body is also necessary for candidates who hold a first-level degree.

Experience:
The level of experience required for the Procurement Officer position includes a minimum of five years of relevant experience in procurement-related activities for candidates with a Master's degree, or seven years for those with a first-level degree. At least two years of this experience must be in public procurement. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to draft complex documents and possess extensive knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and operations used in contracting for a diverse range of goods and services. Experience in public sector procurement dealing with complex contractual issues is essential.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language, which could be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. A working knowledge of French is essential for this position, as it is necessary for drafting complex documents and engaging with stakeholders in both English and French.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Abuja, Nigeria, and involves overseeing procurement units in Nigeria and Niger. The role may require participation in UN country procurement working groups and promoting joint procurement opportunities. The position is full-time and may involve some travel to decentralized offices. Candidates will be assessed against the minimum requirements outlined, and the selection process will consider competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.