ACQUISITION PLANNING ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a FS-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 8 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-5 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is within the Liquidation Entity of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), at Bamako. The incumbent participates in the business processes for the planning and the implementation of the downsizing of the property portfolio of various commodities (e.g. information technology and communications equipment, vehicles, medical equipment and supplies, food rations, fuel, construction and building maintenance materials, furniture and fixtures, stationery and office supplies, accommodation and office equipment, etc.) in accordance with the Mission Drawdown and Liquidation Plan, to support the closure and the liquidation of in an accountable and transparent manner. The incumbent will assist to monitor the overall asset downsizing plan and perform preliminary asset disposal categorization activities to ensure resources are downsized in an optimal way to meet United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Section, Logistics.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Asset Management Assistant FS-5 will be responsible for performing the following duties: • Assists in the preparation of the Preliminary Asset Disposal plan prior to the implementing the disposal action as part of the mission drawdown and liquidation planning process based on mission priorities: • Develops and deliver statistical analysis, standard business intelligent reports and recommendations to the Chief of the Section. • Produces timely and actionable information which help drive business results and guide decision making process. Devise and promote effective analytic models and creative data visualization to derive actionable intelligence and enable management decisions. • Liaises with UN Global Service Centre (UNGSC) in Brindisi regarding the submission of the mission's Preliminary Asset Disposal plan. • Liaises on all logistics needs in each mission location and assists in monitoring and tracking all aspects of the Mission's asset disposition planning to ensure that the assed disposal activities are completed in line with the drawdown and liquidation schedules and in compliance with the Financial Regulations and Rules. • Assists in forecasting the logistics requirements in the near and medium terms based on changing priorities and emergencies as related to the disposition of assets, provides advance information of such requirements to the concerned stakeholders. • Monitors requirements from United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes, coordinates identification of available assets, equipment, materials to ensure purchase requests are met. • Liaises with counterparts in other Missions and/or UNGSC on availability assets, equipment, and materials for transfer prior to other missions making decision to acquire new items either for replacement or additional requirement. • Oversees the extraction of data and generation of reports on disposal of property from computerized information system databases, including Umoja. • Performs preliminary analysis of the extracted data and the reports generated, through review of stock holdings, consumption patterns, disposal activities cycle times, requirements and forecasts from internal and external customers, and highlights areas of concern for the attention of the Asset Management Officer in order to ensure timely decision-making and optimize property disposal activities. • Supervises the process for the preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures, providing valid justifications for under/overspending. • Reviews property disposal and transfer actions and monitors status of disposal processes for all assigned categories including a full range of property disposition matters and identifies ways to overcome obstacles when disposing property. This includes liaising with mission technical units on the planning and coordination of transportation requirements, disposal contract requirements and decommissioning plans of assigned commodities, Consolidation of outbound deliveries, ensuring that adequate lead times and sourcing options are taken into account in all disposal and transfer requirements. • Liaises with relevant sections with respect to the status of implementation of the disposal plan and assists in the preparation of quarterly progress reports providing updates regarding the implementation of the mission's asset disposal plan and timely submission thereof to UNGSC. • Implements the mission policies and procedures, Standard Operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines and instructions governing the planning and execution of the asset disposal process. • Supervises and provides work direction and guidance to junior asset management assistants and national GS staff; manages and coordinates the activities in his/her area of responsibility. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of regulatory framework governing the disposal of United Nations property during liquidation of a peacekeeping operation. Ability to apply analytical skills in a wide range of statistics on logistics and property management support operations and formulate proposals for corrective actions. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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.

Education

• High School or equivalent diploma is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

• Technical or vocational certificate in at least one of the following areas is required: logistics, supply chain management, business administration and procurement or related areas.

• Supply Chain Certification (SCOR-P or equivalent) is desirable.

• Certification in project management (PRINCE 2 of equivalent) is desirable.

• Training and working experience in Supply Chain Planning Tool (SCPT) is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain, inventory management, logistics, procurement, administration, or related area is required.

• Experience providing logistics, supply chain, property management support services in a volatile, conflict or post conflict environment is desirable.

• Experience in BI, Power BI. Experience in sourcing, cleaning, and preparing data, selecting and developing visualizations/metrics that enable easy communication/interpretation by the users is desirable.

• Experience in Data Integration is desirable.

• Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems or similar in the areas of scheduling, inventory control, procurement, and/or logistics processes is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required. • A working knowledge of French is desirable.

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 within the MINUSMA Liquidation Team until 31 December 2024. 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. 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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.