Senior Procurement Officer

Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMCO sub-region currently consists of a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and a portfolio of  infrastructure and development projects in Mozambique, Somalia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonisation and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.

The overall scope of the CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) initiative is to strengthen the long-term national and regional capabilities of competent authorities and administrative infrastructures and develop a durable cooperation legacy in the fight against the CBRN threats. The Initiative addresses risks related to CBRN material and agents of any origin: criminal (proliferation, theft, sabotage and illicit trafficking), accidental (industrial catastrophes, in particular chemical or nuclear, waste treatment and transport) or natural (mainly pandemics but also a consequence of natural hazards on CBRN material and facilities). 

The European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Centres of Excellences Initiative (EU CBRN CoE Initiative) program has requested UNOPS to provide needed advisory, procurement, and logistics support for the Equipment delivery program in East, Central, North, and West Africa. The project will be implemented to the benefit of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) Partner countries in Eastern and Central African region (ECA):  Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Selected countries in the AAF and NAS regions will also benefit from this project. 

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Senior Procurement Officer is responsible for effective delivery and implementation of strategic and effective procurement services, for a select group of technically complex goods, services and works, within the specific geographical area and/or project.  These services reflect best practices in international public procurement, compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and procurement policy, rules, regulations and procedure, ensuring appropriate risk management and obtaining the best value for money. 

He/she analyzes and interprets the respective rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues related to procurement. His/her work is focused in transactional procurement including all steps of the procurement process. 

1. Implementation of transactional procurement

2. Management of procurement processes

3. Implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools

4. Team Management

5. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Advanced  degree or equivalent in preferably Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field is required.

• A first-level university degree in combination with four (4) years' experience at the international level in procurement management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

• For those who do not have a degree in Procurement of Supply Chain Management, Chartered Institute of Supply and Management (CIPS) or similar international Certification is a distinct advantage. 

• A minimum of two (2) years’ professional experience in international public procurement is required;

• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders in developing and developed countries is desirable;

• Knowledge of UN / UNOPS Procurement Rules and Regulations is a distinct advantage;

• Some experience in UN system organizations, preferably in a developing country, is desirable;

• Experience / knowledge of web-based applications and Google Suite products, especially google forms,sheets, docs and slides is an asset. 

• Fluency in written and oral English is required

• Knowledge of another official UN official language is an asset

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.