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DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
1 August 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
The Procurement Service in WFP Headquarters supports global Supply Chain and Delivery operations by managing or assisting Country Offices with the procurement of food, goods, and services, enabling WFP to deliver Programme activities worldwide. In 2024, WFP procured 1.97 million MT of food commodities across 150 countries, delivered $1.96 billion in Cash-Based Transfers, and procured $1.15 billion worth of goods and services.
WFP integrates best practices in procurement to drive efficiency, optimize lead times, reduce costs, and ensure effective risk management and delivery assurance. The Procurement Service is undergoing a transformation to streamline processes, strengthen partnerships, and enhance supplier management through category management and digital solutions.
To support these goals and prepare a new generation of Procurement Officers, WFP is seeking a Junior Professional Officer in the Supply Chain & Delivery Division at Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
GENERAL INFORMATION
* Title of Post: Procurement Officer
* Grade: P2
* Supervisor: Senior Procurement Officer (Category Manager)
* Unit: Global Markets, Coordinated Markets
* Division/Country Office: Supply Chain and Delivery Division
* Duty Station: Headquarters, Rome, Italy
* Duration of assignment: Two years in HQ (with 1 year in Food Category, 1 year in Goods and Service Category, and a possible third year in a WFP Country Office or Global Office.)
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of a senior Procurement Officer, the JPO will have the following responsibilities:
* Actively participate in the entire procurement process, from sourcing and selecting suppliers to preparing tender documents, and supporting timely delivery and contractual adherence to meet business needs.
* Analyze potential risks and opportunities and assist in designing and implementing approaches that align procurement strategies and policies with the organization's objectives.
* Analyze key spend trends and KPIs to support decision-making, track performance for lower-risk projects, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
* Using established methodologies, research and analyze market dynamics with a focus on budget and pricing to inform commodity and supply chain strategies and best practices for sustainable market engagement.
* Support clients with analysis to develop clear specifications for lower-risk procurements and assist throughout the procurement process to enhance understanding of needs.
* Contribute to the development of Category Strategies by supporting process standardization, conducting supplier and market analyses to ensure client satisfaction and value for money.
* Collaborate with stakeholders, including suppliers, superintendents, and companies, to align procurement activities with wider programmes and ensure a coherent approach to meeting food assistance needs.
* Analyze supplier responsiveness to tenders and performance issues to identify areas for improvement and enhance supplier alignment with WFP requirements and quality standards.
* Participate in emergency response activities as required, supporting efforts to meet food assistance needs.
* Assist in fostering a collaborative work environment by supporting team activities, promoting knowledge-sharing, and participating in training programs to build skills and capacity.
* Other as required.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
It is expected that the JPO will become an integral part of the Procurement Service in WFP Headquarters and contribute towards the team’s set targets and goals during the period of assignment. The two years spent in Headquarters are designed to build expertise and knowledge that will support the JPO’s performance during their third year of assignment in the field, should that be agreed upon.
Outcomes of the assignment will contribute to:
* Development and execution of Procurement Strategy/Procurement plans for specific categories (food, goods and services) on an annual basis.
* Supporting the implementation or improvement of at least one key procurement process, such as supplier selection or category strategy development.
* Completing risk evaluations for lower-risk procurement projects and providing recommendations for performance optimization.
* Implementation of key transformational aspects of Procurement (e.g., business partnering, data analysis, local/regional food procurement concepts).
* Operational Field Support to Regional Bureaus and Country Offices, as needed.
* Cross functional collaboration and functional/thematic engagements requiring involvement from the Procurement function to foster partnerships.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
* Advanced university degree in Economics, Commerce, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, Legal or Accounting or other relevant field, or First University degree with 4 years of additional relevant work experience.
* Minimum of two years relevant working experience in Procurement or Supply Chain with procurement activities such as purchasing, vendor research, conducting cost analyses, analysing trends, and working with vendors and partners.
* Fluency (level C) in English and Korean.
* Certificate of English proficiency test: Applicants should score a minimum of (i) TOEFL iBT 100 or (ii) TEPS 430 or (iii) IELTS 7 or (iv) TOEIC 900.
- TOEFL ‘Home Edition’ score is accepted while ‘MyBest Scores’ are not accepted
- IELTS General Training and Academic test are both accepted
- Test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date.
* Not older than 32 years of age as of 31st December 2025 (born after 1st January 1993). The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended accordingly: one year will be extended for those who served for less than one year; two years will be extended for those who served for more than one year and less than two years; three years will be extended for those who served for two years or more.
* Male applicants shall have completed the Korean military service or be exempted from it. Those who will be discharged from military service in the year of the application may also apply.
* Applicants can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application.
* Proficiency in Windows MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook).
* Behavioural competencies: leads by example with integrity, drives results and delivers on commitments, fosters inclusive and collaborative teamwork, applies strategic thinking, builds, and maintains sustainable partnerships.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (ALL DOCUMENTS TO BE UPLOADED UNDER THE CV/COVER LETTER SECTION)
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION ONLY WHEN ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ARE ATTACHED TO IT. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MODIFY YOUR APPLICATION ONCE SUBMITTED.
* A complete application (e.g., P11, PHP, etc.) and motivation letter in English
* A scanned copy of applicant’s Resident Register in English
* A copy of university degree (Bachelor’s/Master’s degree) certificate in English
* A copy of the English proficiency test certificate
* Only for male applicants who have completed the national military service: A certificate of Korean Military Service in English. The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended in accordance with the Support for Discharged Soldiers Act and the Military Service Law.
* Only for low-income applicants: A scanned copy of a certificate of National Basic Livelihood Security Recipients issued in Korean and its unofficial translation in English.
* Only for persons with disability: A scanned copy of a certificate of person with disability issued in Korean and English.
DESIRED REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE
* Exposure to the international arena either by direct work for an international institution/organization or by interacting with international stakeholders.
* Intermediate level of one, or more, of the following official languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese.
* WFP’s international professionals are required to serve in different locations around the world during their career (including in hardship duty stations); willingness to be mobile would maximise opportunities for long-term retention into the Organization.
TRAINING COMPONENTS
The training of the JPO will primarily involve on-the-job learning, providing a thorough introduction to WFP procurement guidelines and procedures, vendor selection and management, the tendering process, and contract execution. Practical training will include participation in the Procurement Smart Sourcing Project and exposure to related business transformation initiatives. The JPO will also receive training on WFP corporate procurement tools, such as WINGS (SAP), DOTS and In-Tend to ensure proficiency and confidence in their use.
To foster cross-functional and professional development, the JPO will have access to WFP’s learning management system, offering a range of learning solutions for skill enhancement and thematic areas aligned with WFP’s mandate. Completion of all WFP mandatory trainings will equip the JPO with an understanding of WFP operations and procedures, contributing to a safe and respectful workplace. Opportunities for internal deployments to other services within the WFP Supply Chain and Delivery Division (e.g., Logistics, R&D) will further enrich the JPO's learning experience.
For general information on the JPO Programme of the Republic of Korea, please visit the website of the International Organizations Recruitment Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea at
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Supply Chain
* Industries
Non-profit Organizations and Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage
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