Deputy Director, Procurement Group (PG)

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 201,227 USD and 252,183 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.

Background Information - Job-specific

Procurement at UNOPS

Public procurement can play a powerful role in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It has the potential to create jobs, drive equality and reduce carbon emissions. More sustainable and resilient procurement models can strengthen supply chains, enhance transparency and achieve greater impact for populations. At UNOPS, we work with our partners to drive transparent, sustainable and resilient procurement practices that lay the foundations for a better future.

Effective public procurement underpins nearly all sustainable development activity. Every Global Goal, every mission, every operation. Without the efficient and sustainable purchasing of goods and services, addressing the world’s problems would be impossible.

Public procurement can also be an agent of change, with transformational potential to drive sustainable, resilient and inclusive development. It offers an opportunity to maximize the impact of spending and is a vehicle to promote social inclusion, fairness and value for money.

As reflected in the restated UNOPS Strategic Plan 2022-2025, we aim to help governments and other partners plan and implement transparent, cost-effective public procurement for sustainable, equitable and gender-sensitive impact. As a central United Nations resource for procurement, we harness efforts for economic, social and environmental effect through sustainable procurement and capacity development of local supply chains and public institutions, responding to all Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 12. Institutional capacity development for sustainable, transparent and fair public procurement practices can expand the resources available for countries to accelerate achievement of the SDGs and combat climate change.

We help our partners purchase for impact by:

Realizing potential through sustainable procurement: UNOPS ensures sustainable and resilient procurement that can strengthen supply chains, enhance transparency and facilitate inclusive choices. Diversifying supply chains can give businesses owned by women, young people, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities a chance to prosper.

Ensuring more effective public spending to empower institutions: UNOPS helps public procurement be more efficient, with greater levels of transparency, greater value for money, a greater impact for governments and better public services for the people they serve.

Supporting local economies: Around half of our procurement is from local suppliers, which can help lessen environmental impacts by reducing emissions and directly support local economies.

Optimizing public procurement for impact: UNOPS strives to free up resources by realizing efficiencies, avoiding loss from fraud, corruption and lack of transparency, and increasing effectiveness through choices that enable sustainable, resilient and inclusive development.

In 2022, UNOPS procured $1.8bn of goods and services, across 828 projects in 101 countries. Health was the largest category of procurement, closely followed by infrastructure, operations and administrations and other goods and services. 97.4% of procurement was conducted by local procurement teams globally. UNOPS has a diverse, global supply base procuring from 5,613 different suppliers across 161 countries in 2022.

Procurement Group

The Procurement Group (PG) is based at UNOPS HQ in Copenhagen. It leads the organization’s sustainable procurement practice and is responsible for: articulating strategy, policy positions and innovative solutions for procurement at UNOPS; enabling the operationalization and managerial oversight of UNOPS procurement activities through appropriate systems and reports; strengthening the knowledge, skills and career development of procurement practitioners; and leading the implementation of sustainable supply chains across the organization.

About the Role

The Deputy Director, PG reports to the Director, PG who provides broad supervision and guidance. The Deputy Director is responsible for providing public procurement policy and operational leadership and supports the Director in the execution of the PG's strategy. The Deputy Director plays a key role in policy transformation, shaping procurement policies and assuring the application of the policy framework, as well as supports procurement innovation that delivers sustainable outcomes.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Procurement Group leadership
2. Policy Development and digitalisation
3. Relationship management
4. Procurement innovation and capacity

5. Procurement performance management and assurance

   Procurement Group leadership

• Provide substantive input to the Director, PG on the Group strategy, the establishment priorities, and oversee the development and implementation of work plans ensuring values-based procurement is central to all activities.
• Contribute to driving systemic change in PG, instilling a culture of flexible, adaptable, innovative, sustainable and ethical practices in support of the UNOPS Transformation Agenda.

• Based on the objectives, results and standards defined by the Director, set performance measurements to ensure timely and delivery focused services. Responsible for monitoring implementation and overseeing progress.

• Manage the planning, sourcing and allocation of resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals and ensure the cost effective and appropriate use of resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework.

• Develop a flexible workforce with the relevant skills needed to support PG's strategic objectives and foster optimum efficiency to our offices whilst promoting gender and geographical diversity
• With the Director, PG, promote teamwork and collaboration by providing the team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

• With the PG Director, support the Procurement Community of Practice (CoP) and other relevant working groups.

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• Act as Chair of the Vendor Review Committee (VRC) making recommendations to Director PG.

• Act as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Director, PG (including standing in on Management Team meetings and other bodies).

  Policy Development & Digitalisation

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive roadmap for the transformation of procurement policies, guidelines and processes, ensuring alignment with international best practice in sustainable public procurement and in close collaboration with the Process Innovation & Digitalisation Programme Director and PG team leads.

• Work in close collaboration with the Sustainable Supply Chains team to ensure our policies allow UNOPS to deliver sustainable outcomes to partners, delivering on the SDGs.
• Oversee the review and enhancement of existing procurement policies, procedures, and practices with the Policy & Standards team, ensuring we deliver sustainable outcomes.
• Provide strategic guidance on best practices and innovative approaches in public procurement policy, sustainable procurement and transformation, ensuring sustainable outcomes.
• Ensure that new policies in procurement are optimized and aligned with UNOPS's digital transformation objectives working with relevant counterparts in policy groups .
• Ensure that relevant procurement policies are strategically incorporated within the UNOPS project development and management framework to support successful implementation.
• Ensure that continuous feedback mechanisms on policy implementation are developed enabling operational input.
• Ensure that digital transformation elements are integrated into the policy space.

• Ensure that policies and guidance are digitally accessible with support of relevant HQ expertise.

  Relationship management

• Collaborate with regions and partners to develop a clear understanding of procurement needs, interests and capacities and to manage problems and challenges effectively as they arise. Provide strategic advice to the Director, PG to resolve common concerns, issue authoritative policy interpretations and agree on pragmatic solutions to improve service delivery.

• As delegated, represent the organization in global meetings, initiatives and major events, as delegated to promote UNOPS' interests, competencies and interests to contribute to business growth and to advocate for effective and sustainable procurement services.
• As delegated, represent UNOPS in the development sector to advocate for effective and sustainable procurement practices and to collaborate and build alliances with partners and stakeholders.
• As delegated, represent UNOPS in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies and academic and professional institutions to keep current on best practices on sustainable procurement techniques and industry practices and/or to harmonize policies, practices and approaches to ensure UNOPS remains a competent and recognized expert organization in aid development and procurement services.

• Provide strategic contribution to the internal and external positioning of Procurement in UNOPS as a key driver of impact on the SDGs.

  Procurement innovation and capacity

• With the Director, PG, set global procurement procedures that are innovative, and reflect best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and service to our offices and clients.

• Champion the integration in the procurement policy framework of innovative approaches to procurement especially in key areas of gender equality and empowerment, environmental sustainability and national capacity building.
• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders in sustainable procurement and supply chain management for strategic business development and engagement.

• Work in close collaboration with the Regional Directors to invest in sustainable procurement capacity support that reinforces regional strategic priorities, leveraging on the field offices’ procurement risk assessment results.

  Procurement performance management and assurance

• Lead the oversight and performance management of procurement activities at UNOPS, assure the application of the procurement policy framework and innovative approaches.

• Ensure the integration of the audit results in the procurement policy framework and tools, as applicable.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - A Master’s degree in a relevant field is mandatory. - A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience - A minimum of 10 years of procurement experience in a large international and/or corporate organisation is required. - Above experience must include:

• At least 5 years of public procurement experience.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience, including leading a procurement/supply chain team and managing budgets.
• At least 3 years of developing procurement policy and/or advising on policy applications of procurement rules
  • Experience handling complex clients, relationship management and project development is required.
  • Private sector experience is an asset.
  • Experience identifying and implementing procurement/supply chain technology solutions is an asset.
  • Experience working across multiple geographies is an asset.
  • Experience with non-UN public procurement body is an asset.
  • Experience in health procurement is a desirable asset.

Language requirements - Full working knowledge of English is required. - Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Staff Contract level: P5 Contract duration: Fixed-term staff contract - One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.