Procurement Officer

Procurement Officer

WCO – World Customs Organization

Brussels, Belgium

1. INTRODUCTION

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs services across the globe. The WCO represents 186 Customs administrations that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters.

As a forum for dialogue and exchange of experiences between national Customs delegates, the WCO offers its Members a wide range of conventions and other international instruments, as well as technical assistance and training services provided either directly by the Secretariat, or with its participation. The Secretariat also actively supports its Members in their endeavours to modernize and build capacity within their national Customs administrations, as well as fostering international cooperation among them.

2. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE VACANT POSITION

As part of an ongoing modernization process, the WCO has created a new position of Procurement Officer to join our Legal and Procurement Service. As of 1 July 2025, this Service will encompass not only all legal but also procurement-related tasks and responsibilities.

Reporting to the Head of Legal and Procurement, the Procurement Officer will also work and collaborate with three Legal Advisers. In this cross-functional team, the Procurement Officer will play a central role in ensuring the cost-effective, transparent, sustainable, and ethical sourcing of thousands of goods and services each year, all of which are essential to the Organization’s operations.

Supporting both the operational services of the Administration (including IT, Accounting, HR, Publications, Communications, etc.) and the technical Directorates overseeing customs- related activities and projects, the Procurement Officer will manage the procurement of a wide range of goods and services from hundreds of suppliers, both locally and globally. These include complex IT developments, HQ building maintenance and improvements, e-learning solutions, travel services (including travel agencies and airlines), insurance and financing solutions, health & HR services, hotel and conference room bookings, translation and interpretation services, consultants and experts across various fields, goods and services specific to customs-related projects, publications (graphic design, printing, logistics, etc.), and more.

As part of the establishment and development of our new Legal and Procurement Service, the Procurement Officer will help address emerging challenges and capitalize on opportunities in procurement, adapting to the ever-evolving global marketplace. This will involve, in particular, navigating the complexities of digital transformation and e-procurement, leveraging data analytics and AI, fostering strong Supplier Relationship Management, promoting sustainability and ethical sourcing practices, and enhancing risk management and supply chain resilience.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the supervision of the Head of Legal and Procurement Service, the Procurement Officer will focus on the following key activities:

1. Policy and Procedures Development: Assist in the development, evaluation, and improvement of procurement policies, procedures, guidelines, templates and best practices; ensure compliance with WCO’s rules;
2. Market Research and Supplier Database: Analyze market trends, identify potential suppliers, and maintain a comprehensive supplier database;
3. Procurement Specifications and Risk Management: Advise on procurement strategies, review procurement documents, ensure compliance with WCO’s rules and guidelines, manage risks, and implement quality control during the procurement process;
4. Offers Evaluation: Review offers, assist in technical and financial evaluations, conduct background checks and financial evaluation, participate in evaluation committees, follow up on rejected bids and assist in management of any litigation related to procurement;
5. Contract Negotiation and Management: Support Legal advisors in contract negotiations, monitor contract compliance, manage supplier relationships, and address performance issues;
6. Compliance and Ethics: Ensure procurement processes adhere to WCO’s rules and policies, monitor ethical standards, and assist with addressing fraud or non-compliance issues;
7. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain procurement records, generate reports for stakeholders, and ensure transparency in procurement activities;
8. Capacity Building: Assist in the provision of training and support to staff involved in procurement, enhancing organizational capacity in procurement processes;
9. Representation and Communication: Represent the Legal and Procurement Service in relevant events, collaborate with other entities, and communicate procurement activities effectively with stakeholders;
10. Paralegal and Administrative Support: Assist legal advisors with administrative support and performing paralegal tasks.

4. EDUCATION

• University degree in Public Procurement, Economics, Finance, Law or other fields closely related to the position;
• An advanced-level university degree (Master’s degree or academic equivalent) in any of the above-named disciplines would be an asset;
• UNDP/CIPS or equivalent certificate in procurement would be an asset.

5. EXPERIENCE AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• At least three (3) years of relevant professional experience; experience in an international, multicultural and multilingual environment is a must;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a rigorous and solution-oriented approach;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to plan own work and deal with a number of urgent tasks;
• Capacity for initiative and anticipation, creativity and flexibility in work, attraction for continuous training and the development of new skills; and
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment, respecting the diversity of people;
• Professional experience in a similar position in an international organization would also be an asset.

6. LANGUAGES

• Fluency in both WCO’s official languages is a must (English and French).

7. CONTRACT AND CONDITIONS

• Staff member under WCO contract of three (3) years (with the possibility of renewal);
• Probationary period: six (6) months;
• Full-time employment (thirty-seven (37) hours and forty (40) minutes weekly) at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium;
• Thirty (30) days of annual paid leave;
• Salary based on the Co-ordinated Organisations’ salary scale, grade B4, step 1; amount of 4388.92 EUR/month (remuneration exempted from income tax in Belgium);
• The basic salary can be augmented by allowances based on the staff member’s eligibility, and it is subject to the mandatory withholding of terminal allowance (for retirement planning) and medical and life & disability insurance contributions.

This position is subject to the WCO Staff Manual (for permanent staff). If a candidate is related to current WCO staff members (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister), they are required to specifically indicate this in the application.

8. APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate how they meet each of the essential qualifications and requirements. Applicants are encouraged to describe tangible achievements in their CVs and/or in their cover letters, as well as to include references.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an assessment which may include a written test and/or an interview. All short-listed candidates may be requested to provide copies of their original diploma, certificates and proof of relevant experience. Pre-selected candidates may also be subject to reference checks to confirm the information provided in their application.

Interested candidates should submit their application for review no later than 15^th August 2025, including a CV and cover letter in English or French. This application should be sent by email to: [email protected].

The subject line of the email sent by each candidate should clearly indicate the job vacancy for which they are applying.

Interested candidates may submit a request for additional information via email, providing their full name and contact details.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application, according to the criteria for the position and the applicable WCO rules.

9. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The WCO is committed to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability, as well as to promoting diversity among its staff members. Accordingly, applications from qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, will receive equal treatment and due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting nationals from WCO Members on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The age limit for employment at the WCO is 65. Please note that the WCO Headquarters building is a non-smoking environment.

Any personal data collected and processed as part of the recruitment procedure will be in accordance with the WCO’s Personal Data Protection Policy (available on the WCO website: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/policies.aspx). Any questions or complaints in this regard may be addressed to the WCO’s Data Protection Officer ([email protected]).