Associate Procurement Officer

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 81,590 USD and 110,820 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

This position is located in the Procurement Unit, in the Division of Administration. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Procurement Unit.

Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Procurement Unit, and overall supervision of the Director of Administration, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

1. Plans, develops and manages certain procurement and contractual aspects of relative complexity for ESCAP and client offices across Asia and the Pacific related to worldwide procurement of diverse services and commodities (e.g. information technology, vehicles, medicines, building maintenance materials, office supplies, construction, furniture, etc.), taking into account local economic and other conditions.

2. Reviews and analyzes technical specifications to ensure completeness, accuracy and competitive qualities, and identifies optional courses of action.

3. Assists staff in matters regarding procurement policies and procedures, technical specifications, pricing and product/service availability, as well as appropriate substitutes or alternative options to reduce costs.

4. Develops vendor pre-qualifying criteria, identifies product sources and evaluates vendor performance in regard to quality, prices, delivery, equipment, etc.

5. Prepares solicitations and evaluates bids/proposals/quotations to ensure overall competitiveness, quality, and conformity to specified requirements.

6. Compiles and presents procurement data; prepares all relevant supporting documents and recommends approval of the contract or purchase order; may authorize purchases in line with delegated authority, 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.

7. Coordinates timely delivery of goods and services.

8. Participates in the market and supplier research.

9. Prepares a variety of reports, correspondence, and documents (e.g. purchase orders, contracts and amendments) on procurement-related matters.

10. Participates in negotiations with senior supplier representatives; 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.

11. Conducts market research to keep abreast of market developments; researches and analyzes statistical data and market reports on the world commodity situation, production patterns and availability of good and services.

12. Contributes to periodic training and briefing sessions to Heads of offices/requisitioners/administrative officers/administrative assistants to whom procurement authority has been delegated so that they keep abreast of latest developments in procurement and have a solid understanding of processes to be followed and principles to be applied.

13. Supervises junior procurement officers, provides training, coaching and guidance in line with procurement procedures.

14. Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and understanding of procurement techniques and practices used in the private sector. Knowledge of market trends and sources of supply and equipment and of procurement/contract execution and administration. Knowledge and understanding of internal procurement policies, practices and procedures. Ability to conduct research and analyze data and information to develop recommendations on procurement contracts awards. Ability to clarify and agree on terms of contracts and/or specification requirements and to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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 & 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 Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, law or related field. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A first-level university degree in the above relevant field is required for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme (YPP).

Work Experience A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contract management, administration or related area or the successful completion of the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP) or having Ph.D in the aforementioned fields is required. Experience working with MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access and MS PowerPoint are required. Experience in preparing and doing presentation with MS PowerPoint is required. Relevant experience in legal analysis, research and writing on contracts management and procurement is highly desirable. Experience within the United Nations Common System or International Organization is desirable. Experience in Business Intelligence reporting in ERP system, e.g. SAP or similar is desirable. Experience in tracking tools is desirable. Experience in doing workflow process (Business mapping process mapping) is desirable. Experience in training junior staff is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice This is a temporary position and will be available for 364 days. If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment to the post; an external candidate will initially be offered a temporary appointment. Any extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of the post.

Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements.

ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.