Procurement Officer

Job Description

Job Opening Number: 52100

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her, in this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Division of Administration, Supply Chain Management Section (SCMS). Under the overall direction of the Director, Division of Administration, the Procurement Officer reports to the Chief, SCMS.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Procurement Officer will be responsible for the following duties

• Serves as Chief of the Procurement Unit and acts as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for civil works and the world-wide procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with highly complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities.


• Works proactively with Divisions, Sub-Regional Offices (SROs), The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), and other budget holders to maintain zero backlog of procurement cases that are outstanding. Identify continuously major procurement needs to deliver a series of quick wins that will enhance ECA’s operations.


• Establish, harmonize, and maintain appropriate and consistent procurement policies, compliance and procedures across the Commission. Ensure adequate internal processes are understood and best practices are adhered to.


• Works with the requisitioners and negotiates contractual arrangements with suppliers to ensure that value for money and excellent service levels are maintained and optimized across all categories of expenditure.


• Undertakes continuous reviews of the existing procurement processes and continuously implement improvements where necessary to ensure that costs are monitored, reviewed and controlled within budgetary constraints and in line with UN Financial Rules and Regulations.


• Provides technical advice on procurement activities to officials of substantive units during all phases of the procurement cycle.Develops and prepares highly complex contracts for procurement of non-routine and technologically advanced commodities or long-range services; issues international tender invitations; evaluates responses to tender, and makes recommendations for finalization of purchases and award of contracts; signs procurement orders up to the authorized limit, and, in cases where the amount exceeds authorized signature authority, prepares submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official.


• Contributes to development of institutional procurement policies and procedures; develops standards and criteria for the evaluation of goods, services, supplier capacity, etc.Maintains under constant examination production patterns in exporting countries; evaluates the productive capacities and performance of manufacturers to identify supply sources.


• Leads procurement process and efficiency improvements across ECA by ensuring wider use of modern technologies and online systems such as Umoja in procurement.


• Works in partnership with all requisitioners and the Director of Administration and Chief of SCMS to change the procurement culture across ECA.


• Addresses the human resource needs of the Unit, including providing leadership and supervision to staff.


• Works/undertakes any other duties or special initiatives requested by senior management, such as the Africa Hall project in accordance with the scope and responsibilities of the role.


• Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor or the Director of the Division of Administration.

 

Work implies frequent interaction with the following

• Specialists at the duty station, as well as other duty stations.


• Colleagues and senior staff throughout ECA and the UN, both inside and outside the duty station.


• Government officials and counterparts in other UN organizations, businesses or industries.


• Executives and representatives of engineering, marketing, sales and technical firms both domestic and international.

Competencies

Professionalism

• Knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and of all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for highly complex and technologically advanced goods and services.


• Knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex procurement and contract issues.


• Knowledge of quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity systems and ability to identify sources of supply, market trends and pricing.


• Ability to shape and influence agreements with requisitioning units and vendors.


• Ability to apply technical expertise to resolve a range of complex and/or sensitive issues/problems.


• Ability to develop procurement policies, procedures and new programmes.


• Shows pride in work and in achievements;


• demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;


• is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;


• is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;


• shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;


• remains calm in stressful situations.


• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and Organizing

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;


• identifies priority activities and assignments;


• adjusts priorities as required;


• allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;


• foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;


• monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;


• uses time efficiently.

Client Orientation

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;


• establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;


• identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;


• monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;


• keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;


• meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Accountability

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments;


• delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;


• operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;


• supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments;


• takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, finance, law or a related field.


• A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience of which four should have been directly in procurement is required.


• Experience in contract management, administration or related area is highly desirable.


• Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first-level university degree recognized by the United Nations.

Languages

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.


• Knowledge of French or another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Closing date: Feb 01, 2016

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How to Apply

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on ‘The Application Process’ and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on ‘Manuals’ hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Job Categories: Accounting and Finance Jobs. Job Types: Full-Time. Job expires in 30 days.

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