Procurement Specialist

Project background

The Project will fall under the purview of the UNOPS KEMC (Kenya Multi Country Office) Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes a large portfolio of Infrastructure, procurement and project management service projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Eritrea, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and several Island states. This specific position will be based in Mozambique. 

Mozambique is recovering very slowly from the effects of Cyclone Idai and Kenneth which struck in quick succession in 2019. The country is in pursuit of peace between the Government and RENAMO - a process supported by UNOPS. At the same time, the North of Mozambique is experiencing an insurgency that has made thousands homeless and is already spilling into Tanzania. 

UNOPS is currently in discussions for a partnership with the government and the World bank that will require us to mobilize quickly to support the massive displacement that is taking place in the north of Mozambique. Multiple positions are being advertised to enable rapid deployment and response to this emergency. 

He/she analyzes and interprets the respective rules and regulations and provides advice and solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues related to procurement. The role requires deep understanding of procurement policy and processes and the Procurement Specialist should be able to apply them to the appropriate situations.

In addition to responsibility for the deliverables of the work team, the incumbent’s work is focused on strategic relationship building and demand management, mainly referred to aggregation and dealing with complex organizational structures, preparation of business cases and understanding of the supply market, as well as sharing knowledge with projects in order to achieve reductions of costs and savings.

Maintaining the highest degree of personal and professional ethics, the Procurement Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Business Unit.  

The Procurement Specialist works in close collaboration with the programme/project colleagues in the given geographical area and with UNOPS HQ personnel, particularly with the Procurement Group (PG), as well as the Government officials, to successfully deliver procurement services.

The Procurement Specialist will work in close cooperation with the Business Unit and Project Managers and report to the management on central issues related to procurement activities.  S/he supervises and leads procurement personnel to deliver work results, in close cooperation with the leadership team in the given geographical area. 

1. Development and Implementation of  procurement strategies 

2. Management of procurement processes

3. Implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools

4. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

5. Team Management

• Appropriate application of UNOPS procurement governance framework (rules, regulations, policies and tools) in Business Unit and Project operations.

• Provision of supply-market intelligence and analysis. 

• Procurement strategies, approaches and plans designed and implemented according to cost reduction and saving strategies, applying:

1. Expertise in market intelligence matched to business requirements;
2. Optimal Stakeholder management principles;
3. Sustainability criteria;
4. Appropriate work processes to individual cases.

• Oversight and supervision of the implementation and results of strategic and routine procurement work plans in Business Unit, covering 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.

• Sustainability embedded in the procurement process.

• Appropriate procurement modalities and instruments applied (e-sourcing, procurement and Rosters of Suppliers) based on individual case requirements, utilizing expert knowledge of procurement policies and instruments.

• Creation, implementation and oversight of proper monitoring and control of procurement processes in Business Unit and projects including 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 Procurement rules and regulations. 

• Review and pre-clearance of solicitation documents, requests for awards and submissions to Contract and Property Committees (CPCs) in role as Procurement Reviewer (in OneUNOPS or Enterprise system).

• Procurement contracts and contractors optimally managed through supplier and contract performance management against agreed benchmarks and through agreed reporting mechanisms. Implementation of Internal control system.

• Elaboration of comments regarding project audit reports of the Business Units, when necessary.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Procurement Specialist directly affects the overall efficiency of the region and specific project initatvies, in regards to procurement management, impacting the timely and effective implementation of the respective programmes and the business unit’s operations.  Timely, market-aware, and accountable delivery of services, ensures business unit performance, efficiency and client satisfaction, which promote the image and credibility of the team and business unit as an effective service provider in project services and management. This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the given geographical area.

• A master's degree preferably in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field.

• A Bachelor's degree in combination with a minimum of seven (7) years’ qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Chartered Institute of Supply and Management (CIPS) or similar international Certification, is a distinct advantage.

• A minimum of five (5) years’ professional experience at the international level or in combination with three (3)  years at the national level, in advising on, implementing policies and procedures to deliver a range of complex procurement programmes and services is required.

• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders in developing and developed countries is an added advantage;

• One (1) year of experience in personnel supervisory experience in procurement is required;

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

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

• Experience in Solicitation / Tendering, contract Management, Evaluation of bids and/or proposals, Procurement training delivery, Procurement  advisory and Policy Compliance and management skills will be an added advantage;

• Experience in Long Term Agreements / Framework Agreements / System Contracts will be an added advantage;

• Experience in Google Suite applications will be an asset.

• 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 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.

• The position is based in a family duty station
• This is a local post. As such, it is only open to Mozambique Nationals or persons with valid residence permits

• Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
• Contract level:  LICA Specialist -10
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

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.

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMC)