Contracts Officer, NOB, Kabul, Afghanistan (Open to nationals of Afghanistan) #121779 (554903)

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 fulfil 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.

Job organizational context

The situation in Afghanistan remains exceptionally complex, with a protracted emergency situation, characterized by recurrent natural disasters, an increased number of people living in poverty, continued internal displacement, and unprecedented levels of food insecurity, further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. This complexity has greatly impacted the situation of children and women in the country. The withdrawal of the United States military forces from Afghanistan in August 2021 and the establishment of a de-facto government by the Taliban have exacerbated the complexity and uncertainty of the situation. UNICEF is required to rapidly adapt its ways of working to address the multiple operational constraints present in the highly volatile and unpredictable context. This includes the need to establish a Programme Management Unit that will provide operational and transactional capacity to the Afghanistan Country Office to ensure urgent lifesaving and resilience-building programmes can continue.

For every child, a chance,

The Contracts Officer provides technical and operational support as per the Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) set-up and is responsible for managing the supply chains of the Programme Management Unit (PMU) for Cash Transfer Projects.

While the overall responsibilities of the Contracts Officer include planning, procurement of goods, contracting of services, and 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 and provides technical and advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain and contracts management.

How can you make a difference?

1. Supply chain service delivery

• In consultation with the supervisor, conduct the contracting processes for assigned goods/services for the Programme Management Unit (PMU) ; 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 the expression of interest, internet, UNGM, networks and other methods to broaden the contracting for services supplier base as and when necessary.
• Prepare and issue tenders, purchase orders, contracts and amendments and maintain up-to-date file for the entire process.
• In consultation with the 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 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 spending, 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 the 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 the implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Establish an accountability framework with programmes, for the delivery of results for children.
• Prepare supply/contracts documentation to facilitate input to donor dialogue, and support the development of supply/contracts components of proposals to donors including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies, services and construction work.
• 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).
• 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 and advisory support to government/national systems

• 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 supervisor and programme colleagues.
• Support supply/contract components of Cash Based Transfer Programme activities as might be relevant in the country context.
• 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 supervisor and Supply Division.
• Support initiatives to 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 for UNICEF Afghanistan Programme Management Unit (APMU), directly impact 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's image as a competent organization for delivering cost-effective and sustainable program results for children.

Competencies and level of proficiency required

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnership (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

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

Language requirements:

Fluency in English is required – Oral and Written. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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 delivering the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable nationals of Afghanistan are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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.

[1] The differences in the grades of jobs and positions reflect various differences, among others, in the nature and scope of work, individual contribution, professional expertise required, organizational context, risks, coordination and networking, engagement, partners, beneficiaries, clients/stakeholders relations, impact of decisions, actions and consequences, and leadership roles.