Procurement Officer

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level :  SC4

Hiring Unit : Sector For Administration and Management (ADM)

Duty Station : Doha

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 12 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) : 20/07/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

The UNESCO Office in Doha supports the implementation of UNESCO’s programme priorities across the Gulf States and Yemen, covering Education, Culture, Communication and Information, Natural Sciences, and Social and Human Sciences. In this context, the Office undertakes a range of regular programme activities and extra-budgetary projects requiring timely, compliant, transparent, and value-for-money procurement support.

The Procurement Officer will provide technical and operational procurement support to the Office, including support to donor-funded extra-budgetary projects, regular programme activities, and other operational requirements. The incumbent will contribute to procurement planning, solicitation, contract administration, vendor management, quality assurance, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring full compliance with UNESCO rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. As the Office is implementing extra-budgetary project funded by the European Union, the incumbent will provide dedicated expert support for the project’s procurement and contracting processes.

MAIN TASKS AND EXPECTED OUTPUTS

Under the overall authority of the Director/Head of Office and the direct supervision of the Finance and Administrative Officer, the Procurement Officer will provide dedicated procurement and contract management services for the UNESCO Doha Office. The incumbent will support procurement processes for goods and services, including planning, solicitation, evaluation support, contract follow-up, delivery coordination, import-related arrangements where applicable, vendor liaison, and documentation management.
 
The Procurement Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
 
1.    Develop and maintain procurement plans for projects and office requirements in accordance with guidance from ADM/OPS, approved budgets, workplans, and applicable UNESCO rules and procedures.
2.    Review procurement requests to ensure completeness, accuracy, appropriateness of specifications, availability of budget, and compliance with established procurement procedures before initiating the required approvals.
3.    Coordinate solicitation processes, including preparation of requests for quotations, invitations to bid, requests for proposals, announcements, evaluation documentation, and related procurement correspondence.
4.    Support bid receipt, evaluation, and selection processes, ensuring transparency, fairness, competitiveness, confidentiality, and proper documentation of decisions.
5.    Maintain and update the vendor database, support supplier registration where required, and liaise with vendors and service providers on quotations, delivery schedules, invoices, delivery notes, and other required documentation.
6.    Monitor procurement implementation against approved workplans, budgets, purchase orders, and contracts, and maintain accurate records of commitments, delivery status, resource allocation, and pending actions.
7.    Provide technical guidance and orientation to programme and project colleagues on UNESCO procurement policies, procedures, documentation requirements, and contract management practices, with particular attention to high-value or high-risk procurements.
8.    Prepare and review procurement-related documents, including contracts, purchase orders, amendments, communications, guidelines, briefing notes, tracking sheets, and periodic or ad hoc reports.
9.    Maintain an effective tracking and filing system to monitor contractual obligations, supplier performance, delivery timelines, payment documentation, contract amendments, extensions, and closure of procurement files.
10.    Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including programme sectors, administration, finance, suppliers, implementing partners, and relevant service providers, to ensure timely and efficient procurement service delivery.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

   

  For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

-    Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Accounting, Finance, or another relevant field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

-    Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in procurement, contract management, contract administration, logistics, supply chain management, or a closely related field.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

-    Sound knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and all stages of procurement for goods and services.
-    Strong understanding of contract management, supplier performance monitoring, and procurement documentation requirements.
-    Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and prioritization skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
-    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues, partners, suppliers, and service providers at national, regional, and international levels.
-    Excellent communication and drafting skills, including the ability to prepare clear procurement documents, reports, and correspondence.
-    Very good information technology skills, including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel. Knowledge of enterprise resource planning systems, including SAP, would be an advantage.
-    Knowledge of results-based management and experience in procurement within the United Nations system or other international organizations are desirable.

LANGUAGES

-    Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
-    Very good command of Arabic, both written and spoken.
-    Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations would be an asset

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

-    Professional certification in procurement or supply chain management, such as CIPS or an equivalent qualification, is highly desirable

WORK EXPERIENCE

-    Experience in public procurement is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, or international development partners is an asset.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

The post is based in Doha, State of Qatar. Remuneration will be paid in Qatari Riyals. The annual remuneration for the position is QAR 285,456. The Service Contract benefits include 30 days of annual leave, as well as up to 15% contributions to pension and health insurance schemes upon submission of proof of enrolment, where applicable.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.