Commodity Specialist P4 (Pulses and Vegetable Oil)

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are currently seeking to fill the position of Commodity Specialist (P4), which will become available in our headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Under the general supervision of Head of Global Procurement Team, the Commodity Specialist will responsible for two critical global commodity portfolios: Dry Pulses (248,000MT) and Vegetable Oil (141,000MT) which accounted for 18% of annual purchases in 2014. WFP purchases numerous varieties of dry pulses as per beneficiary preferences and programme requirements while vegetable oils like palmolein have sustainability issues associated with the same. Both commodities are a key part of the standard WFP food basket.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES FOR THIS ROLE(not all-inclusive, performed within delegated authority):

· Lead on the development of the global sourcing strategy and policies for two commodities (i) dry pulses and (ii) vegetable oil, ensuring alignment with global supply chain and WFP strategy;

· Advise purchasing offices on selection of suppliers, price, contracting, quality and storage of commodities to maximise efficiency and cost effectiveness of commodity sourcing;

· Partner with suppliers and private sector organizations to understand and incorporate the industry best practices in commodity procurement to meeting food assistance needs in a humanitarian context;

· Build relationships and collaborate cross functionally with counterparts in the key supply chain departments to promote an integrated supply chain approach to food assistance;

· Monitor and oversee accurate and timely reporting, ensuring a WFP wide view of commodity procurement activities that enables informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders leading to performance optimization;

· Manage or oversee all auditing of procurement activities ensuring recommendations are responded to appropriately to ensure conformity with compliance rules;

· Build capacity of WFP staff and partners to take a strategic and proactive approach to the sourcing of a specific commodity or product;

· Manage individual procurement officers ensuring appropriate development and enable high performance;

· Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitor the management of commodity specific risks;

· Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance needs;

· Other as required.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education:

· Advanced University degree in Economics, Commerce, Business Administration, Engineering, Legal or Accounting or other relevant field, or First University degree with an additional relevant work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

· At least eight years experience in global sourcing of commodities or products of strategic value, volume, or relative (medium / high) complexity;

· Experience negotiating with suppliers ;

· Supervisory experience;

· Experience in relevant commodity/product/service markets and trading is preferred;

· Experience in managing buying operations is preferred;

· Experience of working in supply chains and managing buying is preferred;

· Experience in coordinating supply chain operations is preferred;

· Experience managing the physical purchase of commodities/products/services in complex situations (e.g., evaluating offers and making recommendations) is preferred;

Technical Knowledge:

· Strong knowledge of and exposure to one of more of associated local / regional / international markets, suppliers, commodity / quality issues and beneficiary preferences is preferred

· Knowledge of WFP procurement policies, rules, regulations and procedures is desirable.

Competencies:

· Excellent strategic planning, analysis, organization, negotiation and communication skills;

· Excellent collaboration and results orientation skills;

· Outstanding interpersonal skills to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English with an intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages).

Terms and Conditions

Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. He/she will be required to travel abroad sometime to remote and difficult locations.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org

HOW TO APPLY:

Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/15-0017967

Step 1: Register and create your online CV.

Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.

NOTE: You must complete Step 1 and 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.

Deadline for applications:26th July, 2015