Procurement Officer (temporary)

UN Secretariat; Panama City (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The UN Secretariat in Panama City seeks a seasoned Procurement Officer to lead the Latin America and the Caribbean regional hub, coordinating complex contracts and infrastructure procurements across the region to support UNODC operations.

You will oversee tender processes, negotiate contracts, implement procurement tools like Ariba, and ensure compliance with UN financial regulations while guiding regional buyers and the ROPAN Administrative Team.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• Experience with ERP systems and UN financial regulations is highly desirable.
• Professional sourcing, contract management and procurement strategy skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise regional procurement activities across the LAC region.
• Lead complex contracts for diverse supplies and services, including IT, equipment and construction.
• Plan and manage procurement for major infrastructure projects with compliance to regulations.
• Oversee tender processes, contract awards and negotiations with suppliers.
• Develop procurement guidelines, guidance, and capacity development for staff.
• Lead implementation of procurement tools like Ariba and monitor performance indicators.

Skills

Procurement management

Contract negotiation

Team leadership

Data analysis

ERP and e-tendering

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

First-level degree + 2 years relevant experience

CIPS Level 4 certification

Tools

SAP Umoja

Ariba e-tendering

Job description

Organizational context:

This position is based in the UNODC Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN) in Panama City, Panama. The Procurement Officer leads the Latin America and the Caribbean Procurement Hub, reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer in Vienna and the Regional Representative in Panama. The role operates within the ROPAN Administrative Team, collaborating with UNODC representatives and operations managers across the LAC region.

Job purpose:

The Procurement Officer is responsible for coordinating, supporting, and overseeing procurement functions across the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region for UNODC offices. This includes managing complex contracts for diverse supplies and services, planning and executing procurement activities for infrastructure and construction projects, and ensuring compliance with UN financial regulations. The role involves providing expert advice, developing strategies for complex procurement issues, managing tender processes, and negotiating contracts. Additionally, the incumbent will oversee procurement staff, contribute to regional procurement guidelines, and lead the implementation of organizational procurement tools to enhance efficiency and compliance.

Responsibilities:

Coordinate and supervise procurement activities for UNODC offices throughout the LAC region, including ROPAN, ROCOL, Mexico, and Brazil. Act as a senior procurement and contracting expert for complex supplies and services, leading procurement efforts and advising buyer teams. Plan, develop, and manage all procurement and contractual aspects for diverse projects, including IT, equipment, medicines, construction, and services. Oversee procurement for major infrastructure and high-value construction projects, ensuring compliance with building codes and regulations. Ensure adherence to UN Secretariat Financial Regulations and Rules and foster collaborative procurement within the UN system. Harmonize procurement functions, delegate authority, and ensure equitable workload distribution among regional buyers. Liaise with project teams for effective procurement planning and communication. Provide technical and strategic advice on procurement matters, review specifications, and manage tender processes, contract awards, and negotiations. Develop and implement procurement strategies, guidelines, and capacity development activities. Prepare reports, monitor performance indicators, and lead the implementation of corporate procurement tools like Ariba.

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in business administration, commerce, law, engineering, architecture, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience is acceptable. A professional certification in supply chain, such as CIPS Level 4, is also required.

Work experience:

A minimum of seven years of progressive professional experience in procurement and contract management is required, including experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Experience with UN Financial Regulations and Rules, SAP (Umoja), construction projects, team management within international organizations, e-tendering solutions (Ariba), and data analytics is desirable.

Skills:

Professionalism, Planning and Organizing, Accountability, Managing Performance, Procurement standards and techniques, Contract law, Quantitative methods, Data analysis, Negotiation, Training and capacity development, Use of ERP and e-tendering systems.

Required languages:

English, French, Spanish