Procurement Advisor (Retainer)

Background Information - UNOPS

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. 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. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical, and management knowledge they need, where they need it. 

UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation, and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.  UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social, and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.  

• Infrastructure

• Procurement 

• Project Management (full service, back on track)

• HR and Transactional Services

• Grants Management 

• Technical and Advisory Services

UNOPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2021 with the Agency for International Cooperation and Development (Agency) within the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan (MIFT) to cooperate on the development and implementation of international procurement standards, best practice and strategies and systems in support of efficient, effective and sustainable national procurement at scale. The Agency will support MIFT in the field of procurement management and investment projects with the participation of international partners of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the areas of healthcare, transportation and housing and public utilities, among others. 

UNOPS aims to collaborate to help operationalize the Agency’s activities based on international best practices and with a commitment of key management functions, processes and personnel in line with international standards. 

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the MCO Director, the incumbent will conduct an assessment of the current policies, systems, processes, procedures and mechanisms of the Agency and will propose recommendations and design a short and medium term strategy for the Agency to foster efficiency, transparency and accountability of the national public procurement system. The incumbent will work closely with specialists of the Agency, as well as IFIs and UN system entities, to ensure coordination and to identify pathways of how the Agency’s procurement function can make strategic development impact in the Republic of Uzbekistan. These recommendations will then be recorded in a project proposal for UNOPS and the Agency to improve the tender process with the aim of launching an initiative under which UNOPS will look into providing advisory services to the Agency to help strengthen the procurement structure, strategy, functions, processes, mechanisms and other elements (including their digitalization) required to facilitate the efficient management of the procurement operations for the projects funded by IFIs. 

Functional Responsibilities:  

1. Conduct an assessment of the Agency’s procurement capacity, systems, functions and processes as a part of the national public procurement process.

2. Develop a project proposal for the Agency and IFIS, UNOPS aimed at strengthening the Agency’s procurement function based on assessment’s results.

3. Lead the liaison, knowledge building and sharing and cooperation with the Agency’ key stakeholders, and external partners.

4. Based on the above, as well as best practices and recommendations of the UNOPS and IFIs, include into the proposal action plan to design and launch the digitalization process of the procurement procedures within the Agency.

5. Review the current implementation status of the signed contracts under execution within IFIs-financed projects.

1. Conduct an assessment of the Agency’s procurement capacity, function and systems

• Analyze through interviews and data provided by the Agency the capacity, current status of procurement processes and results in order to obtain an accurate diagnostic of the performance of key procurement activities and supply chain management

• Evaluate current capacity building needs within the Agency taking into account needs of national stakeholders in terms of national public procurement

2. Develop a project proposal for the Agency and UNOPS to collaborate towards the strengthening the Agency’s procurement function based on assessment’s results

• Develop assessment report containing a gap analysis and improvements, and propose  improvements in terms of the Agency’s procurement policies, strategies, systems, processes, procedures and mechanisms

• Provide suggestions on the optimal design and structure of the Agency’s procurement unit structure, functional roles and responsibilities, processes and protocols

• Propose, in consultation with the Agency and relevant National Authorities, and as a part of the assessment report, short, medium and long-term actions to improve procurement management, through a concept/project to be developed in collaboration with national and other partners

• Propose qualitative (process) and quantitative output reports tailored to the Agency as a part of the assessment report

• Develop a project plan/document to facilitate launch of a joint Agency and UNOPS initiative under which UNOPS will provide advisory and procurement capacity development services to the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan including but not limited to aforementioned elements, and facilitate engagement of appropriate partners and donors for partnerships and business development purposes

• As a part of this, advise on implementation of the Agency’s procurement strategy, including sharing of best practices on different steps of the procurement processes (Pre-purchasing: Strategy and Planning, Requirements Definition, Sourcing; Purchasing: Solicitation, Management of Submissions, Evaluation, Review and Award; Post Purchasing: Contract Finalization and Iissuance, Logistics, and Contract Management)

3. Liaison, knowledge building and sharing and cooperation with external partners

• Cooperate with external partners (other UN and international organizations, state organizations) in the context of the scope of activities for this consultancy

• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize them productively

• Advanced  Degree or equivalent (Masters or equivalent such as MEng, MSc) preferably in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field.

• A university degree (Bachelor’s degree level) in combination with two (2) additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of the master’s degree.

• Relevant certification in procurement and supply chain management (CIPS or similar) is required.

Required experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible combined experience in strategic leadership and procurement/supply chain management is required.

• Above experience must include at least 3 years of demonstrated experience in providing expert advice in public procurement management. 

• Demonstrated experience of supply chain issues in an international development context is required. 

Desired experience:

• Demonstrated experience applying advanced knowledge of sustainable supply chain management and public procurement principles and approach in national jurisdictions is a distinct advantage.

• Experience from a leading local or global provider of management advisory or consulting services to the public sector is an asset. 

• Experience working at leadership level in or with government or international financial institutions or other international development organizations is desirable.

• Understanding of the global health supply chain is an asset.

• UN/UNOPS experience is an asset.

• Excellent (written and oral) English and Russian language skills are required.

• Knowledge of the Uzbek language is an asset.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: IICA3 - ICS12
Contract duration: retainer - 2 to 3 months

• 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.