Procurement Associate

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations helping a wide range of partners in delivering peace, security, humanitarian and development projects across the world. 

UNOPS Sri Lanka implements tailored socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable communities and supports the Government national capacities. UNOPS has been working across Sri Lanka managing education, public health, roads, water and sanitation, fisheries, agriculture and solid waste infrastructure projects. UNOPS also provides expertise in procurement, fund management and human resources management services. 

As part of its programme implementation and advisory capacity, UNOPS will work closely with members of the Government of Sri Lanka and its representatives,  and the Sri Lankan civil society to deliver agreed sets of projects and activities  to support the work of Sri Lankan civil society in assisting the people and communities of Sri Lanka.

Under the direct supervision of the  Programme Manager and under the guidance from the Head of Support Services, the Procurement Associate ensures the provision of efficient and timely support services in procurement and contract administration to facilitate implementation of the UNOPS Sri Lanka peacebuilding programme.

In the discharge of her/his duties, the Procurement Associate shall adapt a client-focused, quality and results oriented approach, shall work with minimal supervision, and liaise with project teams located in field offices and in Colombo, project support officers, technical advisors, portfolio managers, procurement reviewers, procurement authorities and  other relevant personnel  in order to ensure provision of the best support to facilitate implementation of the UNOPS Sri Lanka programme.

1. Procurement Support services

2. Procurement planning, requisitioning and sourcing 

3. Bidding/tendering processes and award approval

4. Contract administration

5. Team Management 

6. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

Administers a range of transactional-procurement support activities, ensuring compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies, including the following: 

• Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with established UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies

• Provision of requested research/data on market supply by conducting routine market research to determine sources of supplies, using United Nations Global MarketPlace, and other relevant internal/external sources

• Set up, enhance and maintain the local supplier database, ensuring regular update of data.

• Ensure completeness of documentation for preparation/processing of purchase orders, contracts, LTAs and/or their amendments.

• Incorporation of necessary steps to embed sustainability in the procurement process.

• Prepare complete submissions to the Contract and Property Committees (CPCs) as required

• Update and maintain all Information databases, procurement files and any other related documentation/records and ensure availability of all supporting documents for audit and review purposes for all procurement activities undertaken

• Generate status reports periodically and/or as required.

• Support progress reviews and internal/external evaluations related to the programme

• Arrange logistics for all the programme related field missions, meetings, workshops, discussions and any other events

• In collaboration with the central logistics, ensure all vehicles dedicated to the programme are well maintained, insured and are efficiently utilised to meet programme transport requirements.

• Completion of secondary school is required. 

• University Degree in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, or related areas is desirable but not required, and may substitute for some years of experience. 

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

• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in providing procurement support services in national and/or international public or corporate organizations.

• Supervisory experience of personnel in procurement support services.

• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders in developing countries.

• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

• Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office, Google Platform) and experience in handling web-based management systems is required.

• Experience in use of Enterprise Resource Planning systems including OneUNOPS is desirable

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.

• Knowledge of at least one of the local language Sinhala and/or Tamil is required.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: Local ICA Support
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
The position is only open to Sri Lankan nationals

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

• 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 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• 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.