Asistente de compras I

Procurement Assistant I

Join us and support PAHO’s country operations through effective, compliant, and timely procurement services.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), is seeking a detail‑oriented, service‑focused, and experienced Procurement Assistant I to support procurement and acquisition activities at the PAHO/WHO Country Office in Venezuela.

PAHO Country Offices ensure that PAHO/WHO technical cooperation activities and country presence provide adequate support to national health development processes and contribute to sub‑regional, regional, and global health agendas. Within this context, the procurement function plays a critical role in ensuring the timely acquisition of goods and services in compliance with organizational rules and procedures.

Under the general supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the direct supervision of the Administrator, the selected candidate will:

• Supervise and coordinate procurement activities, ensuring that all transactions are conducted in accordance with established rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Process, review, and analyze local and international purchase requests and prepare purchase orders, contracts, and related documentation.
• Prepare requests for quotations, invitations to bid, and requests for proposals, and ensure availability of funds and required approvals.
• Coordinate customs clearance processes for international purchases, including perishable goods, household effects, and vehicles, in coordination with national authorities.
• Monitor procurement actions, delivery of goods and services, and compliance with contractual terms, and initiate insurance claims where necessary.
• Maintain procurement records, databases, and control files, and generate correspondence and reports as required.
• Guide staff and respond to procurement‑related inquiries from vendors and requisitioners.

For a complete list of functions, please see the post description.

What is required for this position?

Education

Essential: Certificate of completion of high school.
Desirable: Specialized training at the college, university or business school level with emphasis in procurement, logistics, administration or finance would be an asset.

Experience

Essential: Four years of experience in procurement /foreign trade work and/or logistics, or three years of experience in procurement /foreign trade work and/or logistics, and one year of college or university level courses towards a declared minor/major in the area of procurement/logistics or two years of experience in procurement work and/or logistics, and two years of college or university level courses towards a declared minor/major in the area of procurement/logistics.
Desirable: Experience in procurement of health‑related commodities and in e‑procurement systems would be an asset.

Languages

Fluency in Spanish and basic knowledge of English.

IT Skills

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

Competencies and Skills

For a complete list of competencies and skills, please refer to the post description.

The skills required are:
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of local and international procurement operations.
• Knowledge of procurement contracting principles and the ability to interpret rules and regulations.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and control procurement processes involving multiple administrative steps.
• Supervisory skills, including planning, organizing, problem‑solving, and decision‑making in procurement matters.
• Ability to research, analyze, and organize information to prepare reports and procurement documentation.
• Ability to draft routine and non‑routine correspondence and reports in Spanish and English.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Duration of Contract

This is an initial 11-month assignment, with the possibility of extensions, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.