National Procurement Specialist
- Organisation: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Tajikistan-Dushanbe
- Deadline: 19 November 2026
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
Organizational Setting
FAO country offices, headed by an FAO Representative, support governments in the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes, and projects aimed at achieving food security and reducing hunger and malnutrition. FAO country offices also assist in the sustainable development of the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors, and in the sustainable management of environmental and natural resources.
Reporting Lines
The Procurement Specialist will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Tajikistan, in close collaboration with staff of the FAO Representation, Technical Officers responsible for project implementation, and in coordination with the Procurement Service (CSLP) at FAO Headquarters and the Procurement Unit at the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU).
Technical Focus
The Procurement Specialist will carry out a range of procurement activities requiring specialized technical expertise and will provide administrative and operational procurement support in accordance with FAO procurement manuals, rules, and best practices.
Tasks and Responsibilities
General
• Liaise with the Shared Services Centre (SSC) and the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) on matters related to administrative procedures, best practices, and the application of relevant FAO mechanisms;
• Support the general administrative functions of the FAO Representation, including office management and procurement-related activities;
• Ensure full compliance with FAO financial, administrative, and procurement rules, regulations, and policies, including accurate financial recording and reporting, effective internal controls, proper functioning of client-oriented financial management systems, and follow-up on audit recommendations;
• Ensure adherence to FAO administrative rules, regulations, and procedures across all assigned functions.
Procurement
• Review and analyse procurement requests to ensure completeness and compliance with FAO rules, procedures, and practices; liaise with requesters as necessary and recommend appropriate procurement strategies in the best interest of the Organization;
• Assist in the preparation of evaluation criteria for complex procurement actions and in the preparation of tender documents and contracts;
• Perform operational procurement functions, including the preparation and processing of procurement documentation in FAO Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and related applications (e.g. GRMS, In-Tend), issuance of tenders and purchase orders, bid evaluations, and follow-up with suppliers to ensure timely delivery;
• Develop, monitor, and regularly update procurement plans;
• Follow up with requesting units to obtain required supporting documentation and clearances;
• Provide guidance and technical advice to FAO Tajikistan personnel on procurement policies, procedures, strategies, and processes in accordance with established rules and practices;
• Conduct market research using available reference sources and databases and maintain an up-to-date roster of local suppliers;
• Prepare tender documentation, including Invitations to Bid (ITB), Requests for Quotation (RFQ), and Requests for Proposal (RFP);
• Facilitate procurement evaluation processes in coordination with relevant technical units, including preparation of commercial evaluations, notes, and reports; organize Local Procurement Committee (LPC) meetings and ensure budget holder clearance prior to issuance of Purchase Orders (POs);
• Advise and support colleagues on the use of FAO procurement IT applications, including e-tendering tools;
• Review and analyse requests for ad-hoc re-delegation of authority for submission to the Regional Office or CSLP at Headquarters for approval;
• Serve as a Letters of Agreement (LoA) Quality Assurance Officer, conduct quality assurance reviews of LoAs, and provide guidance to staff on LoA approval processes, if requested;
• Monitor supplier performance with regard to quality, compliance, and timely delivery of goods and services;
• Participate in meetings with local suppliers, ensuring compliance with FAO procurement policies;
• Coordinate with inspection companies for verification of delivered or arriving goods;
• Arrange customs clearance procedures for FAO consignments and facilitate inspections as required;
• Maintain local inventory records, ensuring proper recording, maintenance, custody, and safeguarding of FAO assets;
• Ensure that all procurement-related data are accurately recorded in relevant information systems;
• Maintain proper filing and archiving of procurement documentation;
• Provide support on other administrative tasks, as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Finance, Law, or a related field
OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in the above fields combined with two additional years of relevant experience.
• Minimum 3 years (with Master’s degree) or 5 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in procurement, supply chain management, contract management, purchasing, or logistics operations at national or international level.
• Working knowledge of English and Tajik.
• National of Tajikistan or resident of the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Strong knowledge of procurement principles, procurement planning, sourcing strategies and contract management.
• Experience in preparing solicitation documents (RFQ, ITB and RFP), conducting bid evaluations and contract award processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word, and experience working with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle or similar platforms).
• Ability to analyse procurement data and prepare procurement monitoring and performance reports.
• Knowledge of supplier relationship management, market analysis and negotiation techniques.
• Experience working with electronic procurement systems and document management platforms.
• Working knowledge of Russian is an asset.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and contract management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of UN procurement rules and procedures would be considered an asset.
Selection Criteria
• Demonstrated experience in conducting procurement processes, including preparation of solicitation documents, bid evaluation, contract administration, and supplier relationship management.
• Demonstrated experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, contract management or logistics functions at national and/or international level.
• Proven experience in conducting competitive procurement processes in accordance with organizational procurement policies and procedures.
• Experience in procurement planning, vendor management and contract administration.
• Demonstrated ability to ensure compliance, transparency and value for money throughout procurement processes.
• Experience working with UN agencies, international organizations, or donor-funded projects is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with FAO administrative and procurement procedures would be an asset.
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, communication and negotiation skills.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
HOW TO APPLY