Procurement Officer UN Job Careers – United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS)
Job Title: Procurement Officer
Organization: United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS)
Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda
Job Opening Number: 06 December 2019 – 19 January 2020
Grade: P4
Reports to: Chief, Global Procurement Support Section
About US:
Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational support to entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices-away-from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. DSA oversees a range of specialized or cross-cutting operational capacities. A large part of its responsibilities is to support start-up, surge, transition and liquidation requirements and to exercise authority on behalf of entities to which authority has not been granted owing to a lack of capacity or from which authority has been temporarily withdrawn.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:Within limits of delegated authority and under the direct supervision of Chief, Global Procurement Support Section in Entebbe, Uganda and the overall supervision of Director, Procurement Division, the Procurement Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Serves as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for the world-wide procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with highly complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities; may lead procurement work for a segment of a central or large peace-keeping program.
- Provides technical advice on procurement activities to officials of substantive units during all phases of the procurement cycle.
- Analyzes and evaluates procurement requests and ensures appropriateness of technical specifications.
- 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.
- Develops new tactical approaches to contracts, as well as new methods for their application, based on market research.
- Prepares a variety of procurement-related documents, correspondences and reports, analyzes the existing practices and procedures.
- 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.
- Establishes approaches for negotiations and conducts or coordinates all phases of negotiations with all concerned parties, including the negotiation of disputes arising from contracts.
- May carry out consultancy missions to the field.
- Provides direction and guidance to more junior staff.
- Performs other duties as and when required.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS) Procurement Officer job opportunity must hold an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, law or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification issued by a recognized professional procurement training institution is desirable.
- At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contract management, and contract administration is required.
- At least five consecutive years of procurement experience in conducting international tender exercises to award contracts is required.
- Three consecutive years of the aforementioned experience, in the most recent seven years is desirable.
- Experience in the use of procurement information systems is desirable.
- Experience in handling complex, high-value contracts specialized in various categories of supplies and services is highly desirable.
- Experience in procurement processes and procedures supporting the implementation of programmes and operations for the United Nations or other comparable international organization is desirable.
- Languages: fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
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.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- Planning& 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.
- 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.
NB: 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.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates desiring to serve the United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS) in the aforementioned capacity should express their interest by visiting the UN recruitment website and clicking Apply Now.
Deadline: 19th January 2020