Procurement Associate (Knowledge Management) at World Food Programme (WFP)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Under the overall guidance of the Head of Unit, the incumbent will provide end-to-end visibility on procurement function, to enable synergy and adequate decision-making, so the organisation’s ability to obtain better value for money is influenced and consequently, organisational objectives and policies are positively impacted. More specifically, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

Summary

• Support the implementation of a knowledge management strategy
• Develop and maintain knowledge building and knowledge sharing tools and practices aiming to enhance and promote the visibility of procurement operations in the region
• Implementation of administrative and financial tasks related to the Procurement Unit’s work

Detailed Activities:

• Draft unit reports, meeting minutes, regional food market intel bulletins and newsletters on a regular basis.
• Draft procurement briefs, updates, success stories and further develop internal records and databases, ensuring information is accurate, organised and available for others to access.
• Contribute to communication pieces through good research, analysis of assigned area of work and timely preparation and distribution of information products to target audiences.
• Navigate through the existing corporate digital platforms to extract statistical information for the unit reports and donor briefs.
• Produce visual information such as tables, graphs and other infographics in suitable format for reporting and illustration purpose;
• Monitor social media, specialised publications, UN reports, engage with Country office procurement staff for updates and report relevant information to senior staff to inform the development of markets and other relevant information.
• Support to formulation and implementation of communication strategy
  •  Respond to specialised queries and requests for support, using initiative and following standard processes, to ensure timely and accurate resolution of all enquiries
  •  Analyse previous purchasing data to establish apparent trends to form key input in the procurement decisions and strategies.
• Support capacity building of Procurement staff in providing advice and guidance within area and level of expertise, to ensure that all activities meet desired standards of consistency, quality and impact.
• Maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, in order to provide an aligned, coherent service, and to identify opportunities to collaborate/integrate processes and activities.
• Provide a full range of complex business support services to contribute to the effective functioning of the unit and regional procurement operations, including the management of workshops, training programs, etc.
• Perform other tasks as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A Universitiy Degree in Social Sciences or related fields (preferably Communications, International Development, or Political Sciences)
• Experience: At least three years of progressively responsible national and/or international experience in communications, information management, reporting and/or business-related positions. Working knowledge of Supply Chain fundamentals is beneficial.

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Experience in communication required.
• Excellent writing skills (in English), proofreading, and editing skills. Ability to produce high-quality written materials, including graphically based Power Point presentations as well as text documents.
• Proven and demonstrable knowledge and experience in statistics, data analysis and/or information management;
• Good knowledge of East Africa supply chains is a strong added advantage
• Collaborative spirit able to liaise with a wide range of people at levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.
• Strong time management skills with an ability to plan ahead, anticipate requirements, problems and obstacles, and an ability to juggle competing priorities successfully, and to work to tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy.
• Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the UN WFP.
• Strong conceptual thinking