Grade
P4
Contractual Arrangement
Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)
One year, first year probationary period. Post of limited duration.
Job Posting
Jul 22, 2025, 12:53:10 AM
Closing Date
Aug 12, 2025, 12:59:00 AM
Primary Location
United States-Washington, D.C.
Organization
Procurement and Supply Management
Schedule
Full-time
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.
OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)
The Department of Procurement and Supply Management (PRO) provides technical, managerial and strategic guidance for the purchasing and contracting actions of Headquarters, PWRs, and Centers. PRO is responsible for sourcing, vendor relationship management, and procure-to-pay cycle on behalf of PAHO Member States in coordination with and in support of PAHO’s technical programs. PRO specifically manages procurement operations for vaccines and other essential health-related products on behalf of Member States constituting a significant share of the overall operations of the Organization. PRO also develops and oversees implementation of the Organization’s procurement policies and procedures in order to promote the effective use of the Organization’s resources ensuring transparent, ethical and cost-effective procurement in compliance with PAHO rules and regulations.
Description Of Duties
Under the general supervision of the Director of Administration (AM), and the direct supervision of the Director, Procurement and Supply Management (PRO), the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties:
Manage the development of procurement goals and strategies, in collaboration with technical units country offices and relevant stakeholders, to ensure competitive but feasible procurement strategies leveraging market dynamics and category management principles;Lead the development and execution of strategic procurement plans based on clear tactical actions, aligned with organizational goals;Ensure the quality and accuracy of work of strategic buyers, especially by guaranteeing an in-depth and up-to-date understanding of relevant suppliers, market dynamics and category- specific requirements;Define negotiation strategies and lead negotiations with single- source suppliers and vendors of high-cost commodities ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and the PAHO Strategic Plan’s objectives to increase access to health technologies;Conduct negotiations with strategic suppliers and/or critical contracts directly, ensuring continuity of supply and price throughout the year;Support supplier management with a focus on quality assurance, availability of the item for delivery, price competitiveness, innovation, and partnership fostering;Identify and establish partnerships across the Organization, WHO-HQ, Ministries of Health, UN agencies, and other partners. Promote and maintain these partnerships to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness of the Strategic Fund;Foster partnerships with strategic suppliers and develop joint business plans to develop and implement innovative approaches to impact health outcomes of Member States and the region;Lead the Regional Revolving Fund procurement operations, including planning, sourcing, tendering, and negotiating with vendors, to respond effectively and efficiently to Member States’ needs for pharmaceuticals, kits and reagents, insecticides, laboratory and hospital equipment, and additional items purchased through the Fund;Implement and monitor the transactional and operational workload for all purchasing under the Strategic Fund and the Reimbursable Procurement mechanism, anticipating procurement needs as well as potential bottlenecks and proactively maintaining supplies of essential medicines;Oversee compliance of procurement quality management systems (e.g. sourcing, response times, purchase order volumes, costs, and delivery performance); identify performance gaps and advise on remediation efforts including corrective actions and process improvements;Manage procurement activities in accordance with the Organization's rules, regulations, policies and strategies, including supporting the development of effective internal controls and the proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system;Supervise the SF team by setting clear work objectives, ensuring timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback, engaging in regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment, to include staff development and technical expertise; advise on personnel selection, training and development;Manage the Strategic PRO team aiming to develop people, careers, and organizational climate;Lead and/or participate in country missions to provide technical cooperation to Country Offices, Centers and government authorities and other parties involved in supply management;Monitor with the client area the quality of the products/services purchased through the analysis of quality indicators, technical reports and other relevant documentation to ensure compliance with established standards;Provide advisory support to Country Offices and Centers on procurement strategic planning and quality management of the Strategic Fund. Ensure effective communication and integration of SF operational activities across PRO and with Country Offices and Centers;Provide technical guidance and support to countries and technical departments in procuring health commodities during declared emergency situations. Ensure timely delivery of supplies and goods to countries in need, operating within the Organization’s emergency framework;Perform other duties as assigned.
Education
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Essential: A bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business administration, economics, public administration, or a field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.
Desirable: Supply Chain Management and or Procurement Professional Certification would be an asset.
In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO, only considers official degrees 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 through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.
Experience
Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in strategic procurement with expertise in category management, negotiation, supplier relationship management and/or partnership development. Experience in supervising and leading teams, with a proven track record of managing and developing staff.
Desirable: Experience working within a public health context and or the international pharmaceutical market would be an asset.
Skills
PAHO Competencies:
Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.Respecting and valuing individual differences: - Treats everyone with dignity and respect, fostering positive relationships with everyone. Reflects on personal behavior to avoid stereotypes and considers situations from the perspective of others.Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.Communication: Write effectively/Share knowledge - Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration - Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.
Technical Expertise
Sound knowledge and professional competencies and in procurement of health-related supplies and equipment, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, insecticides, medical devices, laboratory equipment and technology.,.Strong professional competencies in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract and risk management.Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills, with demonstrated ability to assess complex issues, analyze data, synthesize information and provide actionable recommendations.Ability to integrate managerial and administrative inputs into strategic recommendations, manage multiple priorities, and navigate complex organizational environments.Ability to work independently, adapt to changing circumstances, and assume additional managerial responsibilities during emergencies or disaster situations.Ability to effectively lead, supervise and develop a team of procurement professionals, providing guidance, support and mentorship as needed.Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to develop clear and concise reports, presentations, and technical/persuasive for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
Languages
Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
IT Skills
Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology, the Microsoft Office software suite, and understand technical aspects of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, specifically source-to-pay functionalities. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Teams, One Drive, SharePoint and Project would be an asset.
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)
US $84,672.00 + post adjustment
Post Adjustment: 55.8% 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.
Additional Information
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.
PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.
PAHO/WHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.
PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce individual differences. PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.
Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.
Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post. The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
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