Procurement Officer

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

Background: AUMCO

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

●      Infrastructure

●      Procurement

●      Project Management (full service, back on track)

●      HR and Transactional Services

●      Grant Management

●      Technical and Advisory Services

Background: Job - Procurement Officer

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Support Services Manager, and in coordination with the relevant Country Manager(s) or Project Manager(s), the Procurement Officer is responsible for the effective delivery of procurement services reflecting best practices in international public procurement, compliance with UNOPS procurement rules and regulations, appropriate risk management and obtaining the best value for money.  S/he analyzes and interprets the respective rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide range of issues related to procurement.  Procurement Officer will provide services covering some or all functions in the procurement cycle (planning, sourcing, solicitation, evaluation, contracting and logistics).

The incumbent may be asked to undertake regular missions and official travels to AUMCO’s country offices and project sites.

The issuance of a contract towards this role is subject to the approval of the appropriate budget allocations.

1. Implements key aspects of operational procurement strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

● Full compliance of assigned procurement activities with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system.

● Implementation of, or support to, the different steps of the procurement processes, including Pre-Purchasing: Strategy and Planning; Requirements Definition; Sourcing; Purchasing: Solicitation; Management of Submissions; Evaluation; Review and Award; Post Purchasing: Contract finalization and issuance; Logistics; and Contract Management.

2. Provides technical support and guidance to procurement processes of the Business Unit, focusing on achievement of the following results:

● Timely and duly prepared elements of procurement plans and monitoring of their implementation.

● Guidelines followed on embedding sustainability along the procurement process.

● Organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulation.

● Preparation of submissions to the Contract and Property Committees (CPCs).

● Monitoring of contractor performance and certification of completed work for compliance with contractual terms and payment.

● Advice, remedial actions, or solutions to Project Managers on procurement issues.

● Drafting of Long Term Agreements (LTAs) and/or service contracts and other instruments, when necessary, either through standard or emergency procurement procedures. 

3.  Implementation  of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools focusing on achievement of the following results:

● Development and management of the rosters of suppliers.

● Utilization of-sourcing module in accordance with UNOPS Procurement Group’s goals and standards in this area. 

4. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

● Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on procurement-related topics.

● Contribute to procurement knowledge networks and communities of practice by providing collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources management.

● Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

● Advanced Degree or equivalent preferably in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field.

● A first-level university degree in combination with additional two (2) years’ experience in Procurement Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced university degree.

● Two (2) year’s graduate-level experience in Procurement or Supply Chain Management. 

● Experience in working in Procurement or Supply Chain Management in the Central Asian and/or Balkans region is a distinct advantage.

● Experience in working in UN and/or international organizations is desirable.

● Knowledge of UNOPS (or UN) Procurement Rules and Regulations is a distinct advantage.

● Fluency in English is required.

● Working knowledge of the Russian language is a distinct advantage.

● Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: IICA-1/LICA09/ICSC-9
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.