Procurement Officer

Project background

S/he 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, with UNOPS KEMC Procurement and Head of Support Services (who is responsible for oversight and compliance across the Hub) 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. 

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Procurement Specialist, and in coordination with the relevant 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).

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 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.

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), Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and/or service contracts and other instruments, when necessary, either through standard or emergency procurement procedures. 

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.

• 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 an 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.

• For those who do not have a degree in Procurement or Supply Chain Management, Chartered Institute of Supply and Management (CIPS) or similar international Certification is a distinct advantage.

• Full working knowledge of English and Portuguese languages

• 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 non family duty station

• Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
• Contract level:   LICA -8
• 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)