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 Decentralized Offices; it 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 (Legal support) reports to the Procurement Officer (Strategy/Policy), Procurement Service (CSLP).

Technical Focus

Timely, efficient and effective procurement of goods and services and Quality Assurance for Letters of Agreement in compliance with the relevant FAO Rules.

Key Results

Ensure that procurement activities comply with FAO’s established policies, procedures and rules 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 rules and processes, as set forth in the FAO Manual.
• Prepares and presents cases with the relevant Procurement Committees.
• Participates in and conducts site inspections, bidder’s conferences and contract negotiations, as necessary.
• 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, procedures and rules, as well as related tools, provides procurement reporting as well as clarification/information for auditing purposes.
• Participates in the development of training and related training materials and promotes best practices and capacity development at 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 conflict avoidance approaches, disputes or claims arising from contractual instruments or procurement processes.
• 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 monitoring reports, reviews and analyses data and makes recommendations based on findings.
• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Provides support and guidance to the Procurement Service and other units on legal aspects in procurement, from tendering to vendor eligibility and contract negotiation, and any matters related to the implementation, amendment or termination of contracts, liaising with the Legal Office as appropriate and, for matters falling with its competence, undertake necessary consultations and/or securing clearances as needed.
• Participates in meetings with suppliers to assist in the negotiation on contractual terms and conditions when so needed and/or in case of potential disputes.
• Drafts complex contracts or reviews procurement related agreements, formulation of special legal provisions and/or formal letters that may have legal implications.
• Drafts guidelines, documents and communications relevant to the procurement function, around legal matters and risk mitigation to ensure appropriate transfer of knowledge and information sharing.
• Revises FAO contracts’ General Terms and Conditions to align with UN directives, High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM)-Procurement Network decisions and/or corporate policies, procedures and rules, and relevant developments in the procurement, contractual and legal fields, in consultation with FAO’s Legal Office.
• Keeps abreast of developments and conducts research related to procurement and contracting policy, in particular around fast evolving sectors that may warrant specific contractual frameworks (information technology, Artificial Intelligence, etc.).
• Contributes to and represents FAO at selected HLCM-Procurement Network working groups (e.g. vendor sanctions policy, etc.).
• Assists the Procurement Service in negotiations with Resource Partners related to procurement provisions of funding agreements.
• Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced university degree in law, preferably with an emphasis on commercial contract law and five years of professional legal experience in commercial law including at least two years of relevant experience in public procurement in an international context; OR
• A first level university degree in law combined with an additional seven years of relevant work experience and with completion of professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• 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 the 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, preferably at international level, in drafting procurement procedures, solicitation documents and contractual instruments, providing support and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to draft complex contracts with substantial legal content in English is considered a strong asset.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of French and/or Spanish is considered an asset.