Contract Officer (NO-2), Termez, Uzbekistan #123567 (Open to Uzbekistan nationals only)

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, support

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The past two decades have seen important progress on child rights, yet while much has been achieved, sharp disparities remain. In most countries, inequality is higher today than a generation ago, including in middle income countries where most of the world’s poor children now live. The rapid pace of urbanization and the growing youth bulge in Central Asia and Afghanistan will require significant expansion of the provision of essential services for children. These challenges are compounded by the scale and complexity of crises triggered by conflict, natural disasters, or epidemics. The global community faces these challenges when the political and economic environments pose challenges of their own, testing the world’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable. In this environment, strong and consistent leadership of UNICEF is critical to enable the achievement of results for children.

Since the crisis began in Afghanistan in 2021, Government of Uzbekistan is proactively promoting the importance of providing support to Afghanistan to address immediate and humanitarian needs and invited the international community to utilize Termez city as a humanitarian logistical hub for those purposes. The President of Uzbekistan has also formally requested the UN Secretary-General to support the establishment of the Multifunctional Hub in Termez under the auspices of the United Nations. It is important to note that UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan is assigned by the Secretary-General as a UN focal point for humanitarian operations in Termez. In response to the crisis in Afghanistan and outflow of refugees to Uzbekistan, UNICEF established a field office in Termez on 14 March 2022. Since then, UNICEF CO in Uzbekistan supported UNICEF CO in Afghanistan to ship WASH and other lifesaving supplies to Afghanistan via Termez. Additionally, the field office in Termez supports the Afghans stranded in Surkhandarya Region and enhances the capacities of host communities in responding to the needs that are germane to situation of Afghans. In partnership with Management of Termez Cargo Center, UNICEF continues to operate the humanitarian logistical hub in Termez city to help UNICEF CO in Afghanistan with procurement and transshipment of goods and commodities to address immediate and humanitarian needs of the Afghan children and people.

While the overall responsibilities of the Contracts Officer include planning, procurement of goods, contracting of services, monitoring of supplies and services, the main focus of the incumbent will be to provide contract management support, including sourcing, contracting and contract administration.

The incumbent supports management collaboration with programmes in defining supply/contracting interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children. The incumbent will work under close guidance of the Termez Field Office on all aspects of work related to partnership with local authorities and service providers, protocol, and security issues.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Supply Chain service delivery and emergency response 2. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners 3. Technical, advisory support to government/national systems in coordination with field office management 4. Innovation, products, and markets

1. Supply chain service delivery

• In consultation with the supervisor, conduct the contracting processes for assigned goods/services; handle and coordinate all aspects of the contracting processes including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of products and services.

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and implementation of any special contracting for goods/services or any other special project as may be necessary.

• Carry out market research through expression of interest, internet, UNGM, networks and other methods to broaden the contracting for services supplier base as and when necessary.

• Prepare and issue tender, purchase orders, contracts and amendment and maintain up to date the file for the entire process.

• In consultation with supervisor, conduct contract negotiations for new/amended contracts for all assigned goods/services and with all service providers, including resolution of performance issues, ensuring competitive pricing as per market conditions, and ensuring best for value for money for the organization.

• Make recommendations for finalization of contracting processes and award of contracts and when required. Prepare submissions to Contract Review Committee for reviews and subsequent approval by the authorized official.

• Monitor and review supply spend, and draft procurement strategies based on priorities in order to focus on strategic, essential supplies and services that contribute to results for children and support the establishment of Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) where relevant. Maintain highest level of integrity, ethical standards, and accountability in the procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction work.

• Monitor progress of offshore, regional, and/or local procurement and contracts implementation and take action to ensure timely process Keep stakeholders/partners informed on the progress. Implement appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews.

• Analyze supply dashboards, implementation rates of key performance indicators and supply information/data from various systems and conduct root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, with a view to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.

• Participate in the development of a supply & logistics strategy based on risk assessment analysis and assumptions. Ensure a supply and logistics action plan for the CO is established in line with Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCC), and implemented (establishment of relevant LTAs and frame agreements)

• Any other duties as may be assigned.

2. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners

• In collaboration with supervisor, develop close collaboration with programme sections through involvement in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Establish accountability framework with programmes, for delivery of results for children.

• Prepare supply/contracts documentation to facilitate input to donor dialogue, and support development of supply/contracts components of proposals to donors including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies, services and construction works.

• Support assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society and monitoring of supply or services components under Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT).

• In coordination with field office management, participate in events/meetings that build partnerships and collaborative relations with Government, UN organizations and bilateral counterparts in supply and logistics activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement of goods and services.

3. Technical, advisory support to government/national systems in coordination with field office management

• Provide input to promoting of supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.

• Provide input to capacity development initiatives related to supply chains for children, in close collaboration with field office management, supervisor and programme colleagues.

• Support supply/contracts components of Cash Based Transfer Programme activities as might be relevant in the country context in close consultation with field office management.

• In coordination with field office management, prepare relevant supply/contracts reports to facilitate advisory support to Governments/national systems/service providers in defining and determining supply/contracts solutions for children, such as use of procurement services; supply financing solutions; local market development; private sector engagement.

4. Innovation, products, and markets

• Contribute to pilot projects and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with field office management, supervisor and Supply Division.

• Support initiatives for promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices on supply chain management within the organization

• Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, support initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.

Impact of Results

The ability of the Contracts Officer to successfully plan, manage and oversee the effective and efficient supply chain management of goods and services, directly impact on programme goals and results for children.

This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility of UNICEF as an effective and responsible manager of funds entrusted to the organization and to furthering UNICEF image as a competent organization for delivering cost effective and sustainable program results for children.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A university degree in business administration, procurement, supply management or technical field required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in procurement and contracting.
• Experience in procurement/contracting for high value, high risk and complex procurement /contracting of services is an advantage.
• Experience from analytical work and negotiations.
• Experience and ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and grants resources.
• Experience in use of computer applications, including internet navigation and various office applications.
• Emergency experience is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and Uzbek is required. Knowledge of Russian and Tajik/Dari languages are considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.