Mission and objectives

The WHO Office in the occupied Palestinian territory is the principal technical adviser to the Palestinian Ministry of Health providing advice and support to strengthen health services, ad-dress public health issues and promote research for health. WHO is also lead of the humanitarian Health and Nutrition Cluster, coordinating the assistance provided by international and local partners to the health sector. WHO employs approximately 45 staff at its offices in West Bank and Gaza, including international and local professionals with expertise in medicine, public health nursing and other specialties. As the lead health agency, WHO works with many partners, including United Nations agencies, donors, nongovernmental organizations, universities and the private sector to sup-port the Palestinian Authority to reach their national health development goals and to ensure that efforts of all these organizations are coordinated.

Context

WHO has scaled up its logistics and supply chain operations to support the humanitarian health response in Gaza. This includes the coordination of large procurement volumes, management of multiple operational corridors, and support to humanitarian partners facing regulatory and operational constraints. The OSL team in Jerusalem serves as the central coordination hub for procurement and logistics operations across the occupied Palestinian territory. With increasing volumes of medical supplies entering the pipeline and the need to maintain strategic health stockpiles, procurement activities have significantly expanded. The Procurement Expert will support the OSL team by strengthening procurement capacity, facilitating supplier coordination, and ensuring compliance with WHO procurement rules while enabling rapid procurement processes required for emergency operations. This role is critical to maintaining efficient supply pipelines and supporting WHO’s operational response in Gaza.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Operational Support and Logistics (OSL) team lead, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Procurement Operations • Support procurement of medical supplies, consumables, medical equipment, and operational services required for WHO programmes and emergency response activities. • Assist in preparing procurement requests, cost estimates, and procurement documentation in accordance with WHO procurement policies. • Facilitate procurement through WHO systems and local procurement mechanisms when required. Supplier and Contract Management • Assist in preparing Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs), and other solicitation documents. • Support evaluation of supplier proposals in accordance with WHO procurement procedures. • Maintain supplier databases and support supplier performance monitoring. Procurement Monitoring and Coordination • Track procurement pipelines and purchase orders to ensure timely delivery of critical supplies. • Coordinate with logistics teams, freight forwarders, and programme units to monitor shipments and resolve delays. • Support coordination with the Global Service Centre (GSC), Regional Office, and Headquarters procurement teams when required. Compliance and Documentation • Ensure proper documentation and archiving of procurement files in line with WHO audit requirements. • Support preparation of procurement reports and responses to internal or external audit requests. Shipment Follow-up and Claims • Support logistics teams with shipment tracking and delivery confirmation. • Assist in preparing claims related to damaged or delayed shipments and coordinate resolution with suppliers. Coordination and Operational Support • Liaise with WHO programme units, finance teams, and logistics teams to align procurement planning with operational needs. • Provide procurement updates and contribute to operational planning discussions within the OSL team.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Planning and organizing • Integrity and professionalism • Communication and interpersonal skills • Teamwork and collaboration • Cultural sensitivity and inclusiveness • Commitment to continuous learning

Living conditions and remarks

The assignment is designated as a remote national UN Volunteer position; accordingly, the UN Volunteer shall be solely responsible for securing and maintaining appropriate housing and covering all related living arrangements and expenses. The initial contract duration shall be six (6) months, with any subsequent extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational requirements, and the satisfactory performance of the UN Volunteer. A monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) shall be provided to contribute toward housing, utilities, and standard living expenses. In addition, the UN Volunteer shall be entitled to life, health, and permanent disability insurance coverage (including health insurance for up to three eligible dependents), as well as an exit allowance, contingent upon satisfactory completion of service.