WHO Agent Contractuel National - 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 and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO aims to achieve universal health coverage, protect people from health emergencies, and promote healthier populations.

Job Overview:
The position of Procurement Officer is crucial for the effective planning, coordination, execution, and monitoring of procurement activities for goods and services in accordance with WHO rules and procedures. The incumbent will ensure that procurement processes are efficient, transparent, compliant, and quality-oriented. This role is designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of the country office and ensure the timely availability of necessary resources for program implementation. The Procurement Officer will work closely with various teams to align procurement activities with the expressed needs of programs, ensuring that all procurement actions are conducted in a manner that supports the overall mission of WHO.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop annual procurement plans in line with the needs expressed by programs.
• Initiate, monitor, and finalize procurement processes, including tenders, requests for quotations, and direct purchases.
• Ensure compliance of procurement files with WHO procedures (procurement guide, validation thresholds, required documentation).
• Manage relationships with local and international suppliers, including performance evaluation.
• Collaborate with logistics, finance teams, and partners to ensure the receipt, verification, and delivery of goods.
• Maintain an updated database of suppliers and contracts.
• Support internal and external audits related to procurement.
• Strengthen the capacities of staff involved in procurement activities within the country office.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the hierarchy.

Required Qualifications:
Mandatory qualifications include a thorough understanding of procurement rules and procedures, strong organizational skills, and the ability to meet deadlines. Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills are essential. The candidate must demonstrate integrity, discretion, and adherence to the highest ethical standards. Knowledge of WHO rules, regulations, policies, and practices would be an asset. Additionally, the candidate should possess the ability to work effectively in a rapidly changing environment and promote teamwork and integration.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement is a bachelor's degree in procurement management, administration, logistics, finance, commerce, or a related field from an accredited institution. A desirable qualification would be a BTS or License in procurement management, administration, or logistics. A professional certification in procurement would be an advantage.

Experience:
The candidate must have at least one year of relevant professional experience in procurement or logistics management, preferably in a humanitarian or international context. Experience within a United Nations agency or an international NGO is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory. Practical knowledge of English is desirable, which would enhance communication and collaboration in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is a maximum of 6 months. The contractual agent may be required to travel within the country during the contract period. The remuneration will be based on the NOA grade of the national professional staff salary scale of the United Nations system in the Central African Republic. The recruitment process may include a written test as a selection method, and only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. Candidates must provide scanned copies of required diplomas/certificates if selected for an interview. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals from underrepresented member states.