National Procurement Specialist
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency dedicated to eradicating hunger and ensuring food security for all. Its Strategic Framework aims to transform agri-food systems for greater efficiency, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability, contributing to better production, nutrition, environment, and lives. The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) supports Pacific Island countries with policy, technical, programme, and operational assistance across various sectors, including fisheries, forestry, climate resilience, and natural resource management.
Job Purpose
This role serves as the focal point for procurement support within the FAO Fiji Office, ensuring all procurement actions for assigned projects are planned, documented, and executed in a timely and compliant manner. The specialist will manage the end-to-end procurement cycle, including planning, sourcing, solicitation, evaluation, contracting, and vendor management. Key responsibilities involve advising project teams on procurement strategies, preparing solicitation documents, evaluating offers, and monitoring contract performance to ensure timely project delivery and compliance with FAO rules and procedures.
Responsibilities
Serve as the procurement focal point for assigned project activities, ensuring timely and compliant planning, documentation, and execution of procurement actions. Prepare and update annual and project-specific procurement plans aligned with work plans and budgets. Advise project teams on procurement strategies, solicitation methods, specifications, and evaluation criteria. Review procurement requests for completeness and compliance, coordinating revisions as needed. Prepare solicitation documents (EOIs, RFQs, ITBs, RFPs) and support supplier identification, market research, and offer evaluation. Coordinate submissions to procurement committees and monitor implementation of recommendations. Prepare and follow up on purchase orders and contracts, ensuring all necessary documentation and approvals are in place. Monitor procurement pipelines, delivery schedules, and vendor performance, identifying and recommending corrective actions for risks. Coordinate the inspection and acceptance of goods and services, verifying satisfactory completion before payment. Maintain comprehensive procurement records and audit trails. Manage records of non-expendable equipment and project assets, including tagging, custody, and disposal. Support office logistics and procurement of operational inputs. Liaise with vendors, partners, and FAO units to resolve procurement issues. Provide guidance and training on procurement processes to project personnel and partners. Contribute procurement inputs to project formulation and funding proposals.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience is required in procurement, contract management, supply chain management, logistics, or project operations support. This experience should encompass procurement planning, solicitation processes, bid evaluation, contract administration, and vendor management. A university degree in a relevant field is also a prerequisite.
Skills
Key competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement. Familiarity with FAO rules, procedures, and systems is an asset. Knowledge of a local Fiji language would be advantageous.