Contract type: Fixed-term appointment Duration of contract: POST OF LIMITED DURATION Duty Station: WASHINGTON, D.C. United States of America Organization unit: Regional Office for the Americas (PAHO) Procurement Area (PRO)/ Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines, Biologicals, Contracts Unit (PRO/PV)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME: The Procurement Area (PRO) purchases a wide range of products and services for health related activities and for administrative support of the headquarters and field offices of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). PRO also purchases on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its regional offices and Member Governments under reimbursable procurement procedures. The commodities purchased for health related activities encompass practically the full range of manufactured products.
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the Area Manager (PRO) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief (PRO/PV), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a)Analyze Purchase Authorizations for adequacy of specifications and other requirements; select or recommend sources of supply, as necessary, to ensure effective competition; b) Analyze drug protocols and review and analyze laboratory test results; c) Coordinate with quality control personnel on drug product specifications and compliance related issues; d) Solicit bids or quotations, analyze them for conformity to specified requirements and for price, delivery and other considerations such as warranty, maintenance, standardization or compatibility; negotiate with suppliers and award contracts based on consideration of all factors; e) Prepare and issue purchase orders, contracts and amendments; ensure inclusion of complete and accurate specifications, terms and conditions, and the proper documentation of each purchase order or contract file; f) Prepare price estimates to provide price and availability information on products and services; g) Determine whether procurement will be by selective or competitive negotiation for procurements under $30,000; h) Study trade periodicals, supplier catalogs and literature and interview vendors to obtain product price and availability information to facilitate identification and selection of suppliers, evaluation of specifications and advice to requisitioners regarding appropriate products, substitutes or alternatives; i) Assist in the planning, coordination and implementation of any special procurement program assigned to the Unit; j) Provide feedback concerning adjustments and modifications related to the computerized procurement system (ADPICS) to the individual responsible for its smooth functioning; k) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education: Essential: A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in pharmacy or a related science. Desirable: Courses in business administration or procurement would be an asset. Skills: Key Behavioral Competencies: - Intrainstitutional Action: Operates in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Ensures that the mission and the values of the Organization as well as the setting in which projects will be carried out are the drivers in one’s technical work. Understands the results required and performs to that standard. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization. - Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: Takes or organizes individual and collective action after analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge. Continuously analyzes the evolution of situations in an area of work and makes suggestions to adjust or confirm the decisions necessary to implement required actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation between six months to one year ahead. - Teamwork: Promotes team work and leads one’s area to finish tasks and accept responsibility. Creates a positive environment within the area of work. Makes everyone feel like they are part of the team as well as welcomes and appreciates everyone’s ideas and suggestions. Able to see the positive aspects of working as a team, shares the team’s enthusiasm for achieving mutual goals. - Accountability: Accurately and objectively provides information, as required, on one’s activities. Prepares accurate and objective reports on one’s activities and partial/final results. Can account for each of the specific tasks of one’s work. - Service Orientation: Corrects the client’s problems promptly and without confrontation. Is helpful when client (internal or external clients) is going through a critical period. - External Action: Deliverables are on time. Keeps establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial productive relations and partnerships with counterparts in other institutions and sectors. - Administrative support for technical cooperation interventions: Searches for and furnishes relevant information about resource allocation and deadlines, potential critical points, risks and benefits, and other related aspects of available options to provide support for the technical cooperation teams. Technical Expertise: - Thorough knowledge of pharmaceutical purchasing policies and procedures, assigned commodities and sources of supply in the worldwide market; - Ability to analyze pharmaceutical purchasing requirements, obtain product, price and availability information and apply rules and regulations; - Ability to manage shipping matters and give advice on claims; - Ability to train and exchange information; - Ability to negotiate proposals with vendors, give advice on products and clarify requirements, coordinate anti-retroviral drug specifications and the purchase of anti-malarial/tuberculosis and other drugs, as well as manage shipping matters and give advice on claims. IT Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset. Experience: Essential: Five years of combined national and international experience with progressively more responsible experience in procurement or supply of pharmaceutical and biological products in either the private or public sector, preferably in an organization of similar or larger size including at least two years of supervisory experience. Desirable: International shipping experience in overseeing the shipment of highly perishable products.Languages: Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
Additional Information: A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW MAY BE HELD FOR THIS POST. APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. PAHO/WHO’S WORKING ENVIRONMENT IS SMOKE-FREE. APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$42, at single rate US$45, with primary dependents Post Adjustment: 43 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO’s e-Recruitment website at: The system provides instructions for online application procedures. All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
Applications from women and from nationals of non- and under-represented member states are particularly encouraged. Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
