Procurement Officer (Contracts)

Organizational Setting
FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Procurement Service (CSLP) provides advice, guidance and oversight for FAO procurement operations and the Letter of Agreement Quality Assurance function both at headquarters and in FAO's Decentralized Offices; it establishes the overall procurement strategy and provides policy and operational support to ensure that the Organization procures goods, works and services based on \"Best Value for Money\" principles. 
The post is located in the Procurement Service (CSLP) in the Logistics Services Division (CSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Procurement Officer (Contracts) reports to the Head of the Unit in Procurement Service, CSLP.

Technical Focus
Procurement of goods, works and services in compliance with FAO's rules and regulations.

Key Results
Ensure that procurement activities comply with FAO's established policies and procedures and reflect best practice for public procurement.

Key Functions
•  Plans, develops and supports all procurement and contractual aspects of significant complexity.
•  Advises requisitioning units on the full range of procurement issues, providing support and guidance at all stages of the procurement cycle, meeting objectives under tight deadlines.
•  Prepares solicitation process, identifies method of solicitation, drafts tendering documents, identifies sourcing strategy and distributes invitations to tender, also using e-tendering system and supports bid/proposals evaluations while ensuring the solicitation process is fair, objective and transparent and that it follows the general principles, as set forth in the FAO Manual Section.
•   Prepares and presents cases to the relevant Procurement Committees.
•   Participates in and conducts site inspections, bidder's conferences and contract negotiations.
•   Conducts market research to keep abreast of market developments; researches and analyses statistical data and market reports on the world commodity situation, production patterns and availability of goods and services.
•   Contributes to updating procurement policies and related tools, provides procurement reporting as well as clarification/information for auditing purposes.
•   Ensures the full implementation of corporate initiatives in accordance with the Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy to reduce emissions, increase efficiency and integrate sustainability and in line with the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System 2020-2030.
•    Prepares in the development of training and related training materials and promotes best practices and capacity development at FAO headquarters and the Decentralized Offices.
•   Provides guidance to new/junior staff and stakeholders, ensures entry of accurate data using the Organization’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and related systems.
•   Makes initial determinations and recommendations concerning disputes or claims arising from contractual instruments or procurement processes.
•   Prepares monitoring reports, reviews and analyses data and make recommendations based on findings.
•   Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions
•  Supports strategic and technical guidance and advice on procurement activities at headquarters with an emphasis on corporate procurement.
•  Contributes to procurement activities at headquarters including tendering, selection, preparation and issuance of purchase orders or contracts to ensure conformity with established FAO rules, procedures and practice.
•  Supports appropriate strategies to best serve institutional interests.
•  Liaises and collaborates with headquarters Divisions, Offices and Centres to ensure compliance with the procurement rules as well as timely and effective procurement.
•  Reviews and makes recommendations regarding procurement policies and procedures to enhance effective and efficient implementation of procurement and institutional goals.
•  Develops and finalizes contracts for procurement of non-routine and/or complex services.
•  Contributes to procurement capacity development initiatives at headquarters.
•  Conducts market research to identify potential sources of supply, attends trade fairs, and reviews documentation provided to assess the suitability of their services or products to FAO requirements and market trends.
•  Establishes approaches for negotiations and conducts all phases of negotiations for procurement activities at headquarters guiding all parties involved.
•  Makes initial determinations and recommendations concerning disputes or claims arising out of procurement actions.
•  Promotes the use of Long-Term Agreements in headquarters and supports collaboration amongst UN Organizations, especially Rome-based agencies.
•  Supervises staff and affiliated workforce assigned to the unit including planning and allocation of work assignments and identification of necessary training.
•  Identifies and makes initial determinations and recommendations concerning disputes or claims arising out of procurement actions.
•  Participates in, as appropriate, headquarters tender opening panels and the Headquarters Procurement Committee (HQPC).
•  Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
•  Advanced university degree in law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, marketing or a related field and five years of relevant experience in procurement-related activities with at least two in public procurement; OR 
•  A first-level degree in law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, marketing or a related field, seven years of work experience in procurement related activities with at least two in public procurement; and completion of professional qualification from an internationally recognized body such as CIPS4, MCIPS, FCIPS or other UN-wide recognized certifications. 
•  Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
•  Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
•   Extent and relevance of experience in the field of Corporate Environmental Responsibility.
•  Demonstrated knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and of all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for a diverse range of goods and services.
•  Extent and relevance of experience in public sector procurement dealing with complex contractual issues including revising, drafting of contract, formulating options and proposing recommendations.
•  Extent and relevance of experience in identifying clients' procurement-related needs and in providing support and guidance from clients' point of view.
•  Demonstrated ability to draft complex documents in English is considered a strong asset.