This position is located in the African Union/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). The incumbent will be based in El Fasher and will report to the Chief, Supply Chain Management and serve as Chief of Section, Procurement.

Responsibilities

• Within the delegation of procurement authority, the Procurement Officer is responsible for matters relating to the timely acquisition planning and purchase and sale of goods and services for the Mission. Specifically, the incumbent will direct, plan, develop and manage the planning and procurement activities of a Procurement Section involving multi-million dollar expenditure for worldwide procurement and disposition of a broad range of goods and services, which may include communications and information technology equipment and services, facility management services, waste management services, rental and maintenance and repair of various vehicles, freight forwarding and travel services, purchase of fuel, medicines, foodstuffs, building maintenance and construction materials, office supplies, furniture, fire and safety equipment, catering and cleaning contracts, leases etc., some of which will be associated with highly complex contracts. Plan and allocate work assignments. Coach, mentor, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs.
• Analyze unusually complex and/or critical procurement proposals of significant financial or operational impact, determine appropriate strategy/approach to best serve institutional interests and ensure implementation, including the authorization of exceptions to established rules, practices and procedures, as necessary.
• Direct, manage and conduct procurement/disposition planning, sourcing, solicitation/sale, negotiation, and, if necessary, termination of contractual procurement action.
• Authorize up to approved limit, or recommend authorization of procurement contracts/purchase orders/sales to the Contracts Committees.
• Develop and recommend strategy for the effective implementation of procurement policies, reforms and internal controls.
• Develop proposals on revisions to procurement policies and procedures.
• Represent the organization in key meetings with senior officials and government officials, and in negotiations with senior executives of commercial organizations for the purpose of concluding major contracts.
• Lead programmatic/managerial tasks necessary for the functioning of the unit including budget preparation and staffing actions.
• Perform other duties as require

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM - In-depth knowledge of all facets of international public procurement and contract principles and practice and ability to address broader issues of procurement and sales in terms of impact at the program and institutional level; good working knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex procurement, sale and contracting of a diverse range of goods and services; ability to develop and recommend procurement policies, procedures and new programs; ability to integrate technical knowledge with broader strategic and policy objectives; good working knowledge of INCOTERMS and international business practices; clear understanding of the best value for money concept and methodology; strong analytical skills; knowledge of and experience in cost analysis and evaluation techniques; good knowledge of quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity; ability to conduct market research (including market trends and pricing), excellent negotiating skills and ability to shape and influence agreements with requisitioning units and vendors; ability to apply technical expertise, independent judgment and discretion to resolve complex and/or sensitive issues; 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; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies; 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Procurement, Public Administration, Commerce, Engineering, Law or related fields. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Additional study or training in accounting, law, or a recognized qualification in procurement is desirable.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing/procurement, contract management, contract administration, logistics or supply chain management with a minimum of five years of direct purchasing experience and at least two years of supervisory experience.
Experience of working in United Nations/public sector bodies and/or international organizations is desirable.
Experience of peacekeeping or military procurement/logistics operations, including conducting sales, is desirable.
Experience in a downsizing/liquidating peacekeeping mission is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of a second United Nations official language is an advantage, particularly Arabic.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 30/06/2020. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. 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 Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (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.