Senior Procurement Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to its mission of fighting hunger and improving nutrition. WFP has been recognized for its efforts with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its role in addressing hunger and promoting peace in conflict-affected areas. The organization values diversity and inclusion, striving to create a work environment that reflects the communities it serves. WFP is committed to equal employment opportunities and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Job Overview:
The Senior Procurement Associate position at WFP is crucial for leading a comprehensive range of procurement support activities. This role involves conducting research and analysis, providing recommendations, and ensuring the efficient and effective procurement of goods and services. The successful candidate will be responsible for operational coordination, supplier assessment, purchasing requests, negotiations, and maintaining accurate databases. This position requires collaboration with internal teams to align procurement activities with broader program goals, ensuring that food assistance needs are met effectively. The role also includes managing a team, providing guidance and training to ensure objectives are met. The Senior Procurement Associate will report directly to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and play a key role in supporting WFP's mission in Ecuador.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide operational coordination and guidance to support procurement projects and activities, ensuring adherence to standard processes for effective procurement of goods and services.
• Identify, assess, and recommend potential suppliers, ensuring necessary data and documents are distributed to support supplier selection.
• Review, amend, and prioritize purchasing requests, providing recommendations to requisitioners to support procurement at the lowest cost to WFP.
• Contribute to negotiations with new suppliers on terms and conditions of orders, obtaining the best terms and lowest costs for WFP.
• Review and prepare Purchase Orders, contracts, and supporting documentation for approval, enabling swift purchases.
• Conduct research and analysis on data, producing reports that provide insights and recommendations to Procurement Officers.
• Design, develop, and oversee the maintenance of databases and records to ensure accurate and organized information for reporting.
• Act as an escalation point for liaising with suppliers and resolving complex issues related to delivered goods.
• Collaborate with internal counterparts to align procurement activities with wider programs. 1
• Manage a team, providing advice, guidance, and training to ensure objectives are met. 1
• Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to support WFP's rapid response to crises.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree or an advanced university degree in business administration, foreign trade, commercial engineering, or related fields. Post-graduate training or certification in procurement or a related field is highly valued. Candidates should have strong analytical skills, experience in procurement processes, and the ability to coordinate with various teams. Knowledge of procurement regulations and practices is essential, along with the ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers.

Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree is required, with an advanced university degree in relevant fields being preferred. Candidates with post-graduate training or certification in procurement or related areas will be given priority. The educational background should demonstrate a solid understanding of business administration and procurement principles.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of progressively responsible work experience in procurement or a related business stream. Experience in general administrative work and coordinating procurement processes with other units or teams is essential. Supervisory experience is also required, as the role involves managing a team of staff.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Spanish is mandatory, with a proficiency level of C (advanced). Candidates must demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills in both languages. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to Ecuadorian citizens only. The application deadline is set for May 15, 202

• The role is full-time and offers an attractive compensation package, which will be detailed in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, minority groups, and individuals with disabilities. The recruitment process is designed to be accessible and inclusive, with reasonable accommodations available for candidates requiring assistance.