Procurement Associate GS6 Vacancy-Job Ref: JKNEWFP/2006/202477

Procurement Associate GS6 Vacancy-Job Ref: JKNEWFP/2006/202477
Niamey (Niger)
JOB DESCRIPTION

ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Program is the largest humanitarian organization fighting world hunger. In Niger, WFP has been responding to the needs of poor women, men, boys and girls since 1968. We are working to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 by supporting government and community efforts on two fronts, saving lives and change lives.

To save lives we intervene in crisis zones. We are present in the Lake Chad basin where violence linked to the conflict with Boko Haram has caused the displacement of thousands of people. This crisis has destabilized the Diffa region in Niger, also throwing local populations into great vulnerability. The border with Mali is also subject to increasing instability. WFP provides food assistance in these areas to help victims of conflict, refugees, displaced people, returnees and local host populations.

To change lives, WFP is working across Niger to make populations more resilient to shocks, particularly climatic ones, which threaten the agricultural capacities and livelihoods of the most vulnerable Nigeriens. Our package of integrated activities covers nutrition, school canteens and technical assistance for land recovery. The WFP purchases part of its food locally and from small producers to revitalize the national and local economy. We are focusing on strengthening the capacities of government and communities in this country hit by repeated shocks. In this way, people are able to break the vicious circle of poverty and see the future in a better light.

WFP manages the United Nations humanitarian air services, UNHAS. Some regions are far from the capital. Thanks to its devices, UNHAS allows all humanitarian personnel present in Niger to reach the location of humanitarian operations quickly and safely. This helps reach vulnerable people, even in the most difficult to reach areas.

Independent studies have demonstrated that WFP interventions in Niger are bearing fruit. These results confirm to us that our efforts in support of the government contribute, with the support of our donors, to supporting the development of Niger.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
These jobs are located at Headquarters (HQ), Regional Offices (RBs) and Country Offices (COs) and report to a Head of Unit, Head or Procurement Manager.

Incumbents at this level demonstrate responsibility and initiative to independently respond to questions and problems with only general guidance. Judgment is required to deal with unforeseen problems on a daily basis. Position holders have a level of expertise and knowledge to adapt and contribute to the development of systems and processes to continually improve the level of support provided. Position holders supervise, provide technical advice, mentor and coordinate a team of support staff.

JOB DESCRIPTION
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (non-exhaustive)
1. Provide operational coordination and administrative services to support procurement projects and activities, following standard processes and contributing to the efficient purchasing of goods and services.

2. Identify and recommend potential suppliers and compile data/documents to support supplier selection, ensuring standard processes are followed.

3. Review, register and prioritize procurement requests and provide support to requesters, in order to support the procurement of appropriate goods and services, at the lowest possible cost to WFP.

4. Contribute to negotiations with new suppliers on order conditions, alongside a senior manager, to obtain the best conditions and lowest costs for WFP.

5. Prepare purchase orders, contracts and any supporting documentation for approval by appropriate interested parties and approve purchases made within delegated authorities to enable the expedited procurement of goods and services.

6. Resolve issues relating to delivered goods, using initiative, liaising with all parties and following standard processes, to ensure timely and accurate resolution of issues.

7. Research, collect and analyze data to produce reports allowing purchasing managers to make clear decisions and ensure consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

8. Manage updates and develop databases and records to ensure information is accurate, organized and accessible to others, and supports reporting requirements.

9. Maintain relationships with internal counterparts, support alignment of procurement activities with broader programs and ensure a consistent approach to meeting food assistance needs.

10. Supervise the work of support staff, providing practical guidance, to ensure individual and team objectives are delivered to agreed standards and deadlines.

11. Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to help WFP respond quickly and deploy necessary food and resources to affected areas early in the crisis.

SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
Provide coordination, administration and research services to support efficient and effective procurement services.

4P MAIN ORGANIZATIONAL ABILITIES
Assignment

Understand and communicate strategic objectives: Develops the team in the most effective manner to communicate WFP’s strategic objectives for the team and WFP partners in the field
Be a force for positive change: Implements new methods or tools to improve team work processes and productivity
Make the mission a source of inspiration for our team: Plans team activities and tasks based on specific successes in beneficiary communities in order to present a positive impact
Make our mission known in daily actions: Explains to teammates how each unit contributes to the overall mission of WFP
Team

Look for ways to build people’s skills: Identifies skills development capabilities such as training modules or workplace experiences for self, colleagues and direct reports
Create an inclusive culture: Facilitates team building activities to build rapport in your own unit
Develop and provide constructive feedback: Facilitates the association of junior colleagues with coaches within your own team
Create an “I Will”/“We Will” Mindset: Anticipates potential challenges and develops mitigation plans to ensure the team achieves goals and targets
Performance

Encourage innovation and creative solutions: Identifies opportunities to be creative in own work and help the team to be more innovative and precise in their respective tasks and areas of work
Focus on achieving results: Monitors the team’s expected results and provides feedback to ensure results are delivered consistently and accurately
Make and keep commitments: Provides specific guidance to the team on expected responsibilities and tasks, while respecting own commitment to the team
Be decisive: Leads by example and provides guidance to junior team members as problems escalate as they face difficult issues in the workplace or in the field
Partnership

Connect and share between WFP units: Facilitates partnerships with other WFP units to accomplish missions in the field
Build strong external partnerships: Lead by example and provide guidance to the team on how to build relationships with external partners
Be politically agile and adaptable: Communicates to colleagues or direct reports the value of contribution from other WFP teams and agency partnerships to achieve WFP objectives

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES
Ability Name
Description of expected behavior for the skill level
Calls for tenders and markets
Presents a basic understanding of the processes supporting contract/tender implementation at WFP by gathering necessary information.
Management of suppliers
Uses basic understanding of business needs to define supplier requirements and selection criteria.
Products and services / Service intelligence
Manages products/services based on an understanding of sources, technologies, properties and public procurement principles/practices.
Systems and Reports
Demonstrates a strong understanding of procurement systems, business operating system and tools to perform a range of analyzes and generate reports to drive decision making.
Ethics and Compliance Maintains accurate records of activities in compliance with compliance standards to increase ease of responding to basic audit requests.

MINIMUM STANDARD QUALIFICATIONS
Education:

Experience:

High school diploma. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area. A diploma in Administration, management, Logistics or any other relevant field is an asset

At least 6 years of professional experience in the field of purchasing and supply chain management

Language:

Fluency in oral and written communication in the UN language used in the duty station and in the language of the duty station, if different.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO THIS ROLE
· Demonstrated knowledge of locally purchased products/goods/services (e.g. cash donations).

· Experience in sourcing and coordinating with retailers, wholesalers and traders.

· In-depth knowledge of procurement processes and linkages to other operations (e.g., Logistics).

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