Director, Procurement Group

Job categories Procurement, Leadership

Vacancy code VA/2021/B0012/21405

Level ICS-13

Department/office MP, PG, Procurement Group

Duty station Copenhagen, Denmark

Contract type Fixed Term

Contract level D1

Duration 1 year (renewable, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or satisfactory performance)

Application period 10-Mar-2021 to 28-Mar-2021

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

This vacancy has been cancelled.

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Background Information - UNOPS

Please note that the scope of this role is substantially different from the previously advertised under the name of “Director, Procurement Group”.

Procurement is so much more than a process or transaction, it can act as a powerful catalyst to drive sustainable development in so many ways that we need to better understand, so that we can even better serve our partners. UNOPS is looking for a dynamic leader that agrees with this perspective and can take this forward into actions and tangible results

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - PG

The Procurement Group (PG) forms part of the Implementation Practices and Standa...

Functional Responsibilities

Strategic and people leadership Corporate leadership Rep...

Strategic and people leadership

Corporate leadership
Representation, business development and partnerships
Capability development and knowledge management

Reporting to the Director of Implementation Practices and Standards, the Director Procurement Group will:

1. Strategic and people leadership

With an appreciation for the impact of changes and the relationship between the global development environment and sustainable public procurement, set the strategy for an expanded role of UNOPS in sustainable public procurement and sustainable and resilient supply chains, and be accountable for its overall results.
Inspire and lead the evolution of the UNOPS approach, standards, policies and tools for sustainable procurement. Partner with and influence senior UNOPS stakeholders to shape direction of procurement and supply chain practices and their effective adoption and integration into UNOPS operations and support to Partners.
Lead the continued professionalism and digitisation of procurement in UNOPS to improve performance in speed, quality and risk management
Analyse and prioritise effectively. Establish the work plan for the Procurement Group, including setting of the objectives for impact, performance measures, standards and expected results. Monitor its implementation.
Assess the performance and efficacy of UNOPS procurement and take decisions on the appropriate changes to enhance/maximise results.
In the Procurement Group, foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration and inclusivity by enabling a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
Plan, recruit and develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.

2. Corporate leadership

Be an active member of the Implementation Practices and Standards Management Team and support the Director IPS in providing corporate governance, corporate risk management, decision making, and setting strategic direction of UNOPS.
Provide advice to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on integrating the direction of procurement and supply chain practices into UNOPS strategy.
Ensure the Director of Implementation Practices and Standards is kept informed of opportunities, trends and issues in procurement and supply chain which are relevant to UNOPS positioning or impact on UNOPS results. Advise on their effective integration into development planning.
Role model UNOPS values and behavioral competencies, and provide leadership in business and organisational culture development, in order for UNOPS to build a motivated workforce and an inclusive, collaborative and agile work environment.

3. Representation, business development and partnerships

Partner with and influences UNOPS senior stakeholders to effectively lead thought leadership and the value proposition of UNOPS sustainable procurement services as tools and enablers for sustainable development for UNOPS to evolve these into engagements and project results.
Motivate key stakeholders towards common goals through involvement and by being able to articulate the goals clearly and persuasively.
Further UNOPS position as a value added partner to governments and other clients by enabling sustainable public procurement and supply chain to be tools for the global development agenda.
Build key partnerships to complement and supplement UNOPS delivery capability.
Collaborate with the Director of Regional Portfolios, the Director of Partnerships & Liaison Group and the respective Regional Directors to create and maximise opportunities to position UNOPS at the forefront of sustainable public procurement and ensure UNOPS is visibly contributing to industry and sector knowledge.
Represent UNOPS in public forums and the development sector to advocate for transparent, effective and sustainable procurement practices and to collaborate and build alliances with partners and stakeholders and to ensure UNOPS remains a competent and recognized expert organization in international development and project services.
Represent UNOPS in senior inter-agency meetings, to promote the organization, influence policy discussion and to identify potential areas for UNOPS partnership and engagement.

4. Capability development and knowledge management

Shapes the procurement standards, assurance mechanisms and relevant strategic initiatives and empowers the Procurement Group team to deliver with high results on these.
Assess the impact of changes and the relationship between the global development environment and sustainable public procurement, and determine the strategy and approaches for ensuring an aligned capability development, professionalization and performance of procurement practitioners.
Lead the planning, implementation and organization of capacity building of personnel, partners and other stakeholders in the area of procurement.
Guide, monitor and evaluate the implementation of UNOPS standards for competencies, education and experience requirements for sustainable procurement practitioners.
Establish and maintain a collaborative dialogue with UNOPS colleagues, internal and external partners and/or governing bodies to promote a shared commitment to professionalization and learning in sustainable and public procurement practices.
Keep abreast of, and be adept in, innovative procurement techniques and practices as they impact on development objectives.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education A Master’s degree in business administration, procurement a...

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Staff Contract level: D1 Contract duration: One year initial...

Additional Considerations

Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time Applications ...

This vacancy has been cancelled.

Apply

APPLICATION TIPS

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TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf on our partners. Spread across 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core.

We understand the importance of balancing professional and personal demands and offer several flexible working options.

Explore what we offer here.