Procurement Officer (Emergency Responses)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The Procurement Services (CSLP) within FAO provides guidance and oversight for procurement operations, ensuring that the organization procures goods and services based on the principles of Best Value for Money.

Job Overview:
The Procurement Officer (Emergency Responses) position is crucial for supporting FAO's operations in emergency contexts. The role is primarily located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, but involves significant fieldwork, requiring the incumbent to be ready for deployment to various locations worldwide. The officer will be responsible for the timely and effective procurement of goods and services, ensuring compliance with FAO's rules and regulations. This position is part of CSLP's surge procurement capacity, which is designed to provide flexible support to FAO Decentralized Offices facing urgent operational demands. The officer will engage in missions and temporary assignments to assist in emergency response efforts, thereby playing a vital role in enhancing FAO's operational capabilities during crises.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Procurement Officer will lead and participate in teams, providing expertise on organization-wide committees and supervising staff. Key responsibilities include overseeing procurement and contractual reporting, developing and updating operational and policy frameworks, analyzing procurement information for various reports, and providing regulatory advice to managers. The officer will coordinate initiatives under the Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy, develop effective working relationships, and participate in training development. Specific functions include providing surge procurement support to Decentralized Offices, undertaking missions, recommending strategic sourcing solutions, reviewing urgent procurement requests, negotiating with donors, and ensuring compliance with FAO procurement requirements. The officer will also research potential suppliers, review disputes arising from procurement actions, and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, marketing, or a related field, along with seven years of relevant experience in procurement activities, including at least three years in a supervisory role. Alternatively, a first-level degree in the same fields with nine years of experience, including three years of supervisory experience, and completion of a professional qualification from a recognized body such as CIPS or other UN-wide certifications is acceptable. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of procurement processes and regulations, particularly in emergency contexts.

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. A first-level degree in these areas is also acceptable, provided the candidate has additional years of relevant experience. Professional qualifications from recognized bodies, such as CIPS, are highly regarded and can substitute for some experience requirements.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in procurement-related activities, with at least three years in a supervisory capacity. Experience in emergency procurement and field operations is particularly valuable, as the role involves responding to urgent operational demands and supporting FAO's mission in crisis contexts. Familiarity with international procurement standards and practices is essential, as is experience in public sector procurement and logistics-operations" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">logistics operations.

Languages:
A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory, along with intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which may include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in a second FAO official language, particularly French or Spanish, is considered a strong asset and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Rome, Italy, and is primarily full-time. The role involves significant travel and temporary assignments to various locations worldwide, depending on organizational priorities and operational needs. Candidates should be prepared for deployment in support of FAO operations in emergency contexts. The position may involve working under varying contract durations, and compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and regulations.