Contracts Specialist (NO-C), Services Contracting Centre, Supply Division, UNICEF, Budapest, Hungary

Contract

This is a NO-3 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-3 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, commitment

Supplies are essential to fulfilling children’s rights. UNICEF procures and supplies over 5,000 products to address the needs of children. Supporting child survival and development programmes around the world, UNICEF-procured supplies are critical in providing for children’s health, education and protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

The Service Contracting Centre is part of UNICEF Supply Division. Established in 2017 to bring efficiencies and improve compliance by leading the procurement of services for diverse category of services across all Headquarters Divisions/Offices & becoming source of expert knowledge and resources in the various categories of services.

How can you make a difference?

At UNICEF, you will make a difference in the lives of every child together with dedicated and passionate colleagues. Our mandate inspires us to achieve results, keep standards high, to grow and develop professionally as well as personally.

Under the general guidance of the Contracts Manager (Programme Service), the Contracts Specialist will be responsible for planning all Service Contracting needs with Head Quarters Divisions/Offices as well as developing and executing procurement strategies for a portfolio of Service Categories, to secure an uninterrupted, sustainable supply of affordable, quality services. The position will supervise support staff. This post holder must be someone who can work independently to allow the Contracts Manager to focus on other strategic work. The Contracts Specialist will support contract management, monitoring suppliers’ performance, market research and long- term procurement planning in conjunction with the HQ Divisions / Offices and other field and regional offices in order to achieve value, the most cost-effective means of procurement. This will be executed through an effective and strategic procurement process in compliance with UNICEFs Financial Rules and Regulations, guided by public procurement principles and pursuing Value for Money for the organization. The Contracts Specialist will plan and conduct day to day procurement activities for the team. The incumbent will directly supervise support staff (GS5 level) and should be able to back up the Contracts Manager when required.

Key Functions, responsibilities :

1. Manage the development and coordination of procurement workplans and implement strategic procurement decisions and effective vendor relations management, keeping abreast of the developments in supply and procurement area. Undertake market research to develop a pool of healthy vendors and maintain updated vendor list.
2. Support the Divisions/Offices in developing statement of works (SOWs)/ Terms of References (TORs) i.e. review material specifications and service requisitions with the relevant Divisions to ensure completeness and appropriateness. Seek optimal value in service from vendors in consultation with Headquarters Divisions /Offices.
3. Issue tender invitations to be published through the e-tendering portal, evaluates offers and negotiates with suppliers in accordance with UNICEF procedures. Adjudicates offers in coordination with the requisitioning Divisions / Offices as applicable. Prepares and defends submissions to Contracts Review Committee, drafts and negotiate contracts including long term agreements. Ensure performance and financial risk evaluation of vendors before recommendation for awards.
4. Undertake services procurement activities in compliance with the UNICEF Financial rules and regulations, Supply procedures and guidance, and all other applicable procurement procedures.
5. Negotiating terms and conditions with UNICEF Divisions /Offices and suppliers, including legal terms, prices, conditions etc.
6. Providing advice/guidance to requisitioning Head Quarters Divisions/Offices as well as Country Office/Regional Office concerning service contracting, contractual conditions and contracting processes in general.
7. Support collaboration/partnership initiatives on procurement activities with UN Agencies and other international organizations in areas that will bring value for money to UNICEF.
8. Evaluating supplier’s performance with respect to agreed contractual deliverables and document and implement required corrective action. Undertake risk assessments where necessary and advice on appropriate risk mitigation strategies/measures to deal with the risks.
9. Participates in procurement workshops and business seminars organized by UNICEF and/or external partners, including presentation of data and representation of Supply Division.
10. Guide and identify training needs of staff under supervision.

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

• A completed Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Contracts / Commercial law or technical field required.

*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and 7 years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional experience in procurement/supply chain/ contracting, administration and operations. Three years of experience with international organizations or at the international level is an asset. Experience in commercial activities with the public or private sector in developing and industrialized countries.
• Extensive experience in service contracting, service category management, and contract management. Experience from analytical work and negotiations.
• Experience with worldwide procurement, contract negotiations and administration.
• Understanding of the principles of public procurement.
• Experience in use of computer applications, including internet navigation and various office applications. Minimum five year of progressively responsible professional experience including at least three at the international level. Experience in commercial activities with the public or private sector in developing and industrialized countries.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is 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. (8) Nurtures,leads and manages people.

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.

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.

As an advocate for every child you will receive :

• A competitive salary that is tax-exempted in Hungary. Access here the UN Salary Scale for Hungary, and here a salary calculator for simulation.
• 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.
• Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning, and learning path
• Access to staff well-being and career development support

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Hungarian nationals are encouraged to apply.

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.