About the opportunity
The Procurement Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the National Professional Officer/Deputy Head of the office and the direct supervision of the Administrative Analyst at the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Astana, Kazakhstan. The specialist is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing strategies for addressing food security, agriculture, and rural development priorities in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan and other national stakeholders. The primary focus is the timely, efficient, and effective procurement of goods and services in compliance with relevant FAO Rules and Regulations.
Salary and benefits
- Non-staff contract opportunity under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA).
- Initial duration of 6 months with a possibility of extension.
- No application, interview, or processing fees are charged by FAO.
Who can apply?
- Must be a national of Kazakhstan or a resident of the country with a valid work permit.
- University degree in business administration, management planning, or other related fields.
- At least 3 years of relevant experience in project/programme support, financial and administrative assistance to projects.
- Working knowledge of English.
- Working knowledge of Russian and Kazakh languages is an asset.
- Experience working in the UN system is an asset.
- Adherence to FAO Core Competencies (Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement) and FAO Values.
Required documents
- Completed online profile on the FAO recruitment portal (including employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills).
- Letter of motivation attached to the online profile.
- Language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) as proof of language knowledge.
- Performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks (if requested).
When to apply
- Applications opened on August 17, 2026.
- The closure date for applications is September 14, 2026, at 9:59:00 PM (based on your device's local time).
How to apply
- Visit the FAO recruitment website and complete your online profile.
- Attach a letter of motivation to your online profile.
- Provide consent for personal information sharing for pre-screening, assessment tests, and background checks.
- Submit your completed application through the FAO recruitment portal before the deadline.
Additional information
- FAO is a non-smoking environment.
- Appointment is subject to medical fitness certification, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- You are a national or resident of Kazakhstan with a valid work permit.
- You possess at least 3 years of experience in project support or financial administration.
- You hold a university degree in business, management, or a related field.
What should you think carefully about?
- This is a non-staff Personal Services Agreement (PSA) contract, which may differ from standard staff benefits.
- The initial duration is 6 months; you should verify if the possibility of extension aligns with your long-term availability.
- You must be prepared to undergo medical fitness certification and security clearances.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role is an excellent opportunity to gain direct experience within a UN agency while contributing to food security and rural development in Kazakhstan. It is well-suited for professionals looking to leverage their administrative and procurement expertise in a high-impact, mission-driven environment.
Our take
Candidates with a background in project support and local residency should consider this role for the professional experience it offers; those seeking permanent staff status may find the PSA contract structure less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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