Director, Procurement Group

The Procurement Group (PG) forms part of the Implementation Practices and Standards (IPS) function, which is responsible for the UNOPS delivery practices. The Group  leads UNOPS procurement and supply chain practice, through the following core functions:

• Providing strategic direction and leadership of UNOPS sustainable procurement and supply chain practices.

• Driving innovative procurement policies, processes, tools and digitalisation of procurement; providing strategic advice; and strengthening the knowledge, skills and competencies of procurement practitioners. 

• Furthering UNOPS position as a leader in sustainable public procurement, by driving  cutting edge knowledge, innovation, digitization and best practices.

• Positioning UNOPS as a value-added partner in the global human development environment and strengthens its competitive position as leader in sustainable public procurement and supply chain practices. 

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

• Is part of the Implementation Practices and Standards Management Team and supports the Director IPS in providing corporate governance, corporate risk management, decision making, and setting strategic direction of UNOPS. 

• Leads thought leadership and the value proposition of UNOPS sustainable procurement services and the creation of an enabling environment for prompt and consistent implementation of initiatives that help position UNOPS as a leader in sustainable and public procurement.  

• Role models UNOPS values and behavioral competencies, and provides strategic leadership in business and organisational culture development, in order for UNOPS to build a motivated workforce and an inclusive, collaborative and agile work environment, conducive to enhancing organizational capacity for UNOPS to serve and to prosper.

• Sets the strategy for the Procurement Group and is accountable for its overall results.

• Contributes to the strategy of the Implementation Practices and Standards function, to enable quality, effectiveness and sustainability of UNOPS portfolio delivery and excellence of implementation practices.

• Provides leadership, guidance and oversight for the Procurement Group and ensures it effectively and efficiently contributes to the UNOPS purpose, goals and objectives.

• Under the guidance and oversight of the Director of Implementation Practices and Standards, establish the strategy and annual work plan for the Procurement Group in collaboration with key stakeholders, set objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected.

• Monitor implementation of the Procurement Group annual work plan, ensure progress and the delivery of results as planned and according to expectations. 

• Assess the performance and efficacy of the Procurement Group and take decisions and/or recommend to the Director of Implementation Practices and Standards appropriate changes in operations to enhance/maximise results.

• Establish comprehensive management procedures for sustainable procurement and systematically evaluate the performance of the global practice to ensure compliance with UNOPS standards of performance, ethics and integrity and accountability framework.

• Promote teamwork and collaboration by providing the Procurement Group with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

• Plan, recruit and develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity. 

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• A Master’s degree in business administration, procurement and supply management, engineering, public administration, law, economics or other related field is required. 
• 2 additional years of relevant work experience, in combination with a relevant first level university (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), may substitute for the requirement of a master’s degree.
• Internationally recognized certification in procurement or supply chain management (e.g. MCIPS, CPSM, SCMP) is desired.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience that combines strategic and people leadership in sustainable supply chain management, in particular procurement,  in a large international organization or corporation is required.
• Advanced knowledge of sustainable supply chain management principles and approaches and demonstrated experience applying  this knowledge to achieve results is required.
• Demonstrated understanding of supply chain issues in an international development context is desirable. 
• Experience  establishing and maintaining broad collaborative relationships and strategic networks and partnerships to expand collaboration is desirable.

Contract type: Fixed-term staff contracts 
Contract level: D1
Contract duration: - One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

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.