Bid Protest Reviewer - Retainer (Advisor), Multiple positions

UNOPS General

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

UNOPS Risk and Compliance Group 

This position is located in the Risk and Compliance Group (RCG). RCG is a strategic amalgamation of key Second Line of Defence functions at UNOPS headquarters, embodying UNOPS’ commitment to managing corporate risks effectively and aligning UNOPS’ operations with UN core values. RCG’s focus is on ensuring best practices in risk management, quality, compliance, internal controls, and due diligence.

RCG  is responsible for supporting UNOPS in identifying, assessing, managing, and mitigating risks, as well as ensuring adherence to laws, regulations, and internal policies. The Group develops policies, provides training, and monitors compliance, reporting regularly to senior management. It also advises on risk management and compliance strategies to ensure that UNOPS operates within legal and ethical  frameworks and upholds a strong ethical standard.

Bid Protest Function 

RCG manages the Bid Protest review for UNOPS. Suppliers that believe that they have been unjustly treated in connection with a UNOPS procurement process may lodge a bid protest. Protests are reviewed independently under the management of the Registrar. The Director, RCG makes the final determination.

Allowing suppliers to make bid protests is part of UNOPS commitment to ‘Fairness, integrity and transparency’, which is one of the general procurement principles defined in UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR). The bid protest process benefits UNOPS as it enables us, where justified, both to take corrective action in respect of the particular tender process and also to identify more broadly any deficiencies in UNOPS practices that need to be addressed, such as through training.

Bid protests may occur in connection with a solicitation process, a shortlist following an Expression of Interest (EOI) or a pre-qualification process by a UNOPS Business Unit. Suppliers may lodge a complaint through the bid.protest@unops.org email address, in accordance with the conditions set out in section 10.2.3 of the Procurement Manual.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

The purpose of the assignment is to support the Director RCG and the Registrar in reviewing receivable Bid Protests (of medium to high complexity). The consultant will be supported by the Bid Protest Secretariat. The incumbent will: 

• Support the Bid Protest secretariat in making determinations as to whether a communication received from a supplier meets the conditions to be receivable as a protest.

• Support the Director RCG, and the Bid Protest Registrar in conducting analysis of protests; 

• In collaboration with the Bid Protest Secretariat, liaise with technical experts in medical devices or engineering or other areas as necessary.

• Prepare draft formal replies to suppliers which are clear, based on comprehensive data, disclose an appropriate level of information and can withstand external scrutiny, including through potential circulation in the media by the protesting supplier.

• Submit the draft reply to the Bid Protest Secretariat for review by the Bid Protest Registrar and sign off by the Director, RCG.

• Advanced level university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Law or a related field.

Contract type: ICA Retainer
Contract level: I-ICA 3 (ICS-11)
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• 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. 

• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.