Procurement Specialist (Chemical Equipment Specialist) - Retainer

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners’ needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

The Project:

The European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) is a global Initiative funded and implemented by the European Union as part of its goal to promote peace, stability and conflict prevention. The aim of the Initiative is to mitigate risks and strengthen all-hazards security governance in Partner Countries (PCs) of the EU following a voluntary and demand-driven approach. Supported through the European Union’s Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, the Initiative represents the EU’s largest civilian external security programme. It is led by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS). The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides technical support to Partner Countries, while the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) ensures coherent and effective national, regional, and international cooperation. CBRN security is addressed through coordinated action and cooperation between and within governments, the corporate sector, civil society, the media and individuals. Coordination and cooperation with other international organisations (WHO, OSCE, IAEA, Committee under UNSCR 1540, OPCW, NATO etc.) to avoid duplication of efforts and the mutual leverage and synergies of actions is a continuous process.

The overall scope of the CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) initiative is to strengthen the long-term national and regional capabilities of competent authorities and administrative infrastructures and develop a durable cooperation legacy in the fight against the CBRN threats. The Initiative addresses risks related to CBRN material and agents of any origin: criminal (proliferation, theft, sabotage and illicit trafficking), accidental (industrial catastrophes, in particular chemical or nuclear, waste treatment and transport) or natural (mainly pandemics but also a consequence of natural hazards on CBRN material and facilities). 

The European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Centres of Excellences Initiative (EU CBRN CoE Initiative) program has requested UNOPS to provide needed advisory, procurement, and logistics support for the Equipment delivery program in East, Central, North, and West Africa.

The project will be implemented to the benefit of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) Partner countries in Eastern and Central African region (ECA):  Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Selected countries in the AAF and NAS regions will also benefit from this project. 

Scope of the assignment

Against this background, UNOPS seeks the expertise of a Technical Advisor, (Retainer) to assist the project in providing backstopping support for the EU CBRN Project to provide technical advice to the procurement activities and quality assurance after the delivery of equipment. Retainer expert will play a critical technical advisory role and provide punctual inputs and support in preparing the specifications and TOR for the equipment and evaluating the proposals submitted by bidders. In addition, the expert will also ensure the high-level technical quality of the products of the activities and provide technical advice to the EU CBRN Project on chemical equipment related aspects.

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Project Manager the critical functions of the Technical Advisor include the following:

1. Technical Support 

• Review the equipment needs of the selected institutions and in consultation with relevant stakeholders provide advice on the best technical solutions to meet the identified needs. 

• Develop and finalise the technical specifications for the biological equipment to be procured considering the needs and technical possibilities. 

• Provide the project manager with an expert opinion based on the industry trends, suitability and  the users' specific context. 

• Participate in discussions with the stakeholders to refine and modify equipment specifications

• Carry out a market analysis in order to identify the potential suppliers (the leading producers /distributors including the export/import licence requirements) of the needed chemical equipment. 

• Identify technical criteria and proposal evaluation guidelines for the procurement process.

• Provide technical support in evaluating the bids and selecting suitable suppliers to deliver the equipment.

2. Quality Assurance 

• Inspect and certify the equipment delivered matches UNOPS requirements and are in good working condition

• Supervise the execution of installation, testing, and commissioning of equipment 

3. User training 

• Define the appropriate user training requirements for the equipment to be procured 

• Supervise the user training exercise by the suppliers 

4. Others tasks

• Provide backstopping technical support as requested on any technical issue.

• Any other tasks related to providing high-level technical advice to EU CBRN project as required by the project team. 

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in science, chemistry, chemical technology, or another relevant discipline is required

• Bachelor's degree in above-mentioned areas with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• At least 5 years’ experience in managing technical issues related to chemical equipment is required.

• A minimum two (2) years relevant professional experience in international public procurement is required

• At least 3 years familiarity with international tendering processes is required 

• Proven ability to develop technical specifications for chemical equipment and produce high-quality associated documentation (technical ToRs, training manuals) is an asset 

• Previous relevant work experience with the UN or other international organisations is an asset.

• Fluency in written and oral English is required

• Knowledge of another official UN official language is an asset

Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 2) / ICSC-10. A Local ICA contract will be offered if there is an ICSC scale in the candidate's country of residency. 


Contract duration: Two (2) years subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and necessity of services.

Duty station: Home-based

• 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 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.