Overview
The Procurement Officer (Service Contracts) performs procurement activities related to the preparation of tender documents, draft and finalization of contracts or Purchase Orders for goods, works and services for FAO Decentralized Offices (DOs). Ensures that procurement activities comply with FAO's established policies and procedures and reflect best practice for public procurement.
Key Responsibilities
- Drafts tender documents, contracts, purchase orders and general correspondence;
- Reviews the technical and financial offers;
- Participates in meetings with stakeholders as necessary;
- Responds to requests for assistance during tendering process from managers and staff at HQ and the Decentralized Offices;
- Makes recommendation on best course of action and approves obligations as per delegated level of authority;
- Participates in the market and suppliers research;
- Reviews and analyses procurement requests for completeness and conformity with established FAO rules, procedures and practices;
- Liaises with the requesters, as necessary, and recommends to supervisor appropriate strategy/approach to best serve institutional interests;
- Assists in preparing evaluation criteria for more complex procurement actions, prepares or guides tender documents and contracts;
- Prepares documents in FAO's ERP system and other office applications related to assigned procurement actions, issuance of tenders and purchase orders, evaluation of bids, follows-up with suppliers including follow-up on orders to ensure timely delivery;
- Performs the commercial evaluation and proposes recommendation of awards for procurement activities relating to the purchase of goods or services/works;
- Provides advice and guidance to colleagues on the use of IT applications, including e-tendering tools, utilized in the Procurement Service;
- Produces relevant reports to support contract monitoring;
- Reviews invoices and inspection reports if applicable, coordinates with the technical team to determine application of liquidated damages, and facilitates timely payment to vendors, if necessary;
- Maintains an appropriate procurement filling system for audit trail.
Required Experience
- Three years of relevant experience in the area of procurement-related activities OR five years of work experience in procurement-related activities;
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;
- Extent and relevance of experience in the field of the Corporate Environmental Responsibility;
- Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in procurement and contract-related issues including reviewing, preparing and drafting contractual instruments;
- Demonstrated experience in drafting technical documents and reports in English is considered a strong asset;
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in public procurement is desirable.
Qualifications
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, marketing or a related field OR a first-level degree in law, business/public administration, finance, economics, commerce, marketing or a related field;
- Completion of professional qualification from an internationally recognized body such as CIPS Level 2/3/4, MCIPS, FCIPS or other UN-wide recognized certifications.
