WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

Job Title: Procurement Associate

Grade: General Service (GS6)

Type of contract: Fixed Term

Duration: 12 months

Duty Station: Suva, Fiji

Vacancy Number: 831008

Date of Publication: Friday 05 January 2024

Deadline of Application: Friday 19 January 2024

This vacancy announcement is for Nationals from CO (specified).

BACKGROUND

The United Nations World Food Programme is a leading organization delivering food assistance and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. We also support governments of developing countries in their efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition by addressing the underlying causes and disparities in access to food and good nutrition to ensure that no one is left behind in line with the Agenda 2030, Sustaining Peace and Agenda for Humanity. WFP is particularly focused on Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 17 (Partnerships).

The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to WFP is recognition that ending hunger is a critical first step towards global peace. WFP recognizes that one of the greatest contributions it can make to humanity is to provide a voice to the 690 million hungry people in the world. The Nobel Peace Prize gives us a platform to make their needs heard and to mobilize support for the assistance they need.

The Pacific is one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions, with Pacific Island Countries ranked among the most vulnerable to natural disasters due to rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather patterns caused by climate change. Eight of the twenty states with the highest average disaster losses scaled by GDP are Pacific Island countries.

Building on its engagement in the Pacific since 2015, the World Food Programme (WFP) works with Pacific governments and partners to improve its capacity to reduce the risk of, prepare for and respond to disasters. All this is achieved through strengthening coordination mechanisms in logistics, emergency telecommunications, food security, and data and cash preparedness. All this is done in close collaboration with national partners, including those who lead the national coordination mechanisms through training and ongoing engagement and support.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To provide coordination, administrative services and market research to support the efficient, effective and client-centric procurement services that promotes the public procurement principals of transparency, fairness and competition.

Supervision: Under the direct supervision of the Head of Supply Chain and with functional guidance from the Regional Bureau Bangkok, the Procurement Associate will provide procurement services in the Pacific Multi-Country Office based in Suva, Fiji.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Provide operational coordination and administrative services, to support procurement projects and activities, following standard processes and contributing to the effective procurement of goods and services.
• Identify and recommend potential suppliers, and compile data/documents to support the selection of suppliers, ensuring standard processes are followed.
• Consolidate procurement plans from the Requesting Units and develop the relevant sourcing strategy.
• Review, record and prioritise purchasing requests, and provide support to requisitioners, in order to support the procurement of appropriate goods and services, at lowest cost to WFP.
• Contribute to negotiations with new suppliers on terms and conditions of orders, alongside a senior officer, in order to obtain the best value for WFP.
• Prepare Purchase Orders, contracts and any supporting documentation for approval by the appropriate stakeholder, and approve purchases within delegated authority, to enable the swift purchase of goods and services.

• Resolve issues related to delivered goods, using initiative, liaising with all parties and following standard processes, to ensure timely and accurate resolution of problems.
• Conduct regular market assessments and identify opportunities for improved sourcing that promotes utilization of local markets.
• Produce regular reports on the procurement activities to enable informed decision-making.
• Manage updates and further develop databases and records, to ensure information is accurate, organized, and available for others to access, and supports reporting requirements.
• Maintain relationships with internal counterparts, to support the alignment of procurement activities with wider programmes and ensure a coherent approach to meeting food assistance needs.
• Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to support WFP to properly prepare for and actively respond to emergencies.
• Facilitate and coordinate the implementation of the regional and corporate initiatives.
• Other tasks as required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Demonstrated experience in procurement in Pacific and/or in an international context.
• Experience with public procurement and/or familiarity with the UN system is desired.
• Experience or familiarity with development projects with governments.
• Well organized work with accurate information/databases/reports/records.
• Sound judgment; ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data and to resolve operational problems.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision; to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Good understanding of procurement related internal controls, governance and segregation of duties measures.
• Experience conducting market assessment/research.
• Proficient in the use of office equipment and computer software package, including word processing, spreadsheet and other standard software packages.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area. A University degree in procurement, supply chain management, business administration, or other related fields would be an advantage.

Experience:

Six or more years progressively responsible support experience on procurement activities, supply chain or other related fields.

Language: Fluency (level C) in both oral and written communication in English and proficiency in at least one of the two duty station’s language(s) which are Fijian and Fijian Hindi

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via ( https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings).

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We want to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible. Please contact us at wfp.pacificmco@wfp.org to advise us of any accessibility needs you may have.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. All selected candidates will, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defined in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:

• Leading by example with integrity,
• Driving results and delivering on commitments,
• Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,
• Applying strategic thinking,
• Building and maintaining sustainable partnerships

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.