JPO - Programme Analyst (Sustainable Procurement)

Overview

Join UNDP to enhance sustainable procurement practices in global development.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master's) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Finance, or related field is required.
• Or a first-level university degree (Bachelor) with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration.
• A minimum of two years of relevant paid working experience with Master's Degree, and a minimum of four years of relevant paid working experience with Bachelor's Degree.
• Good understanding/prior exposure to work within an international organization will be considered an asset.
• Certifications and recognized training in public procurement is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is desirable.
• Age Requirement: maximum 32 years of age at the time of application.
• Good understanding/prior exposure to work with sustainable public procurement will be considered an asset.

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 102,060 USD and 138,623 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.

IMPORTANT: This JPO Position is funded by the Government of Finland and open only to nationals of Finland. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment positions and criteria, including nationality and age of candidates, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc/current-vacancies

Background

The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system.

During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices. Additionally, the JPO will undergo a journey of exposure and growth which will build both personal and professional capacity for a career within the multilateral development sector.

As a JPO and young professional in UNDP you should be interested in pursuing a global career with aspiration to work for a field-based organization in support of the development agenda.

The JPO will work as part of a team and be supervised by an experienced UNDP staff member, including :

• Structured guidance and feedback, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing of responsibilities
• Establishment of a work plan, within the first month of assignment, with clear key results.
• Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise.
• Completion of the yearly UNDP Annual Performance Review (APR) including learning and development objectives.

The JPO will benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:

• Participation in a Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 4 to 6 months of assignment
• Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide On-going Masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes
• Career development support mechanisms and activities
• Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues
• Mentoring programme
• Other training and learning opportunities

Organisational context UNDP is striving to ensure its procurement function and practices are an integral part of UNDP’s competitive advantage as a development partner of choice. This requires placing more attention on strategically integrating procurement at the project design stage, stimulating innovation in specifications and technologies, and adopting more sustainable production and consumption practices that align with UNDPs sustainable development goals.

Sustainable procurement means making sure products, services, and purchases are as sustainable as possible with the lowest environmental impact and most positive social results. In implementing UNDP strategic procurement priorities, Country offices will strive to use flexible methods for high-value/low-risk and timely delivery that meet the needs of its clients and key stakeholders.

The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is a central Bureau tasked with provision of operational backbone services through management advice, innovative business solutions, and other corporate services in line with international best practices and evolving needs and expectations of development partners.

The Office of Procurement (OP) within the Bureau of Management is responsible for managing the procurement function for UNDP. The OP mandate, among others, covers development and updating of procurement policy, providing procurement advisory and operational support to country offices and professionalization of the procurement function, sustainable and emergency procurement. Its objectives are to support programme delivery in line with UNDP's Strategic Plan, ensure that the procurement practices reflect best practices in public sustainable procurement and to ensure that procurement in UNDP is conducted in accordance with rules and regulations, the accountability framework, all with a view to ensure appropriate risk management for UNDP.

OP is divided into several Units located at UNDP HQ in New York, Copenhagen/Denmark and Cyberjaya/Malaysia. Broadly, the Directorate in New York is responsible for policy, corporate support and external relations, while OP both in Copenhagen and Cyberjaya are responsible for operational support to UNDP country offices worldwide. This position reports to the Chief of Operations, Deputy Director for the Global Procurement Services Division (GPSD) and will support the Division with streamlining sustainable procurement policies into operations, provide advisory services and analytics, and train stakeholders in sustainable procurement.

The GPS Division is located in Copenhagen constituted by three teams: The Health Team, Crisis, Climate and Infrastructure Team (CCIT), The Governance Team, and the Procurement Training Team. GPSD leads the provision of centralized sustainable procurement efforts and capacity development within UNDP.

Position Purpose

We are looking for a new team member for an exciting opportunity to enrich our sustainable procurement efforts in the UNDP Office of Procurement (OP). We are a dynamic and growing team, engaged in supporting transformational and sustainable change across the UNDP procurement function, within the UN system and among partner Governments, in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Developing sustainable public procurement capacities in the UN system and among partner governments is a vital step in creating the conditions under which the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are likely to be achieved. Examination of the issues of sustainable public procurement, particularly by UNDP in recent years, has consistently shown that sustainable and successful environmental, social and economic development – and thus the achievement of the SDGs – depend on effective capacity development, supporting policies and efficient enabling frameworks, which in turn depends on ownership and finding locally appropriate solutions. Since procurement is an integral part of good governance, developing sustainable public procurement capacities and systems are key success parameters to achieve the SDGs for “Sustainable Industry, Innovation and Infrastructures” (Goal 9), “Responsible Production and Consumption” (Goal 12), and “Building Effective and Accountable Sustainable Institutions” (Goal 16).

The Sustainable Procurement Expert will have to support the development of policies, procedure, tools and training programmes that will enable UNDP and Governments to buy for a better and more sustainable world, working in close cooperation with other sustainability and procurement experts within UNDP, the UN system, Governments and the private sector.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

1.Provide analytical inputs to UNDP Country Offices (COs) and partner country counterparts in applying sustainable public procurement (SPP) policies, tools, methods, and approaches with the following key responsibilities:

• Collaborate with UNDP COs and partner countries in developing a strategy for sustainable public procurement as part of strategic programming at the country level;
• Assist with the development and promotion of sustainable public procurement tools, methods and approaches through policies, guidelines, presentations, training programmes and consultations;
• Support the development of category specific SPP specifications and standards, and assist with the development of life-cycle costs evaluation matrixes and frameworks;
• Assist key stakeholders with the development and integration of sustainable public procurement strategies into all relevant projects and programmes;
• Support sustainable procurement capacity assessments and develop customized programmes and training interventions specific to the needs of programming in the country context.

2. Roll-out and scale up sustainable procurement capacity development tools, strategies and approaches relevant to the priority needs of partner countries with the following key responsibilities;

• Aid the research and development of sustainability diagnostics, tools and approaches for sustainable procurement capacity development, including training modules and policies on sustainable public procurement, private sector development/engagement, accountability, transparency, and anti-corruption;
• Support pilot testing of new capacity development methodologies and following a peer review process, roll-out new tools, policies and approaches for sustainable public procurement.

• Assist with tutoring of training programmes and the marking of exam projects related to sustainable procurement trainings.

  3. Delivering sustainable procurement training/learning programmes with the following key responsibilities:

• Support the development of training/learning initiatives in line with the strategy for sustainable public procurement;

• Support the development of training materials, publications and e-learning programmes; Support the development and maintaining relationships with selected capacity development providers and sustainability expert institutions;

• Facilitate the resolution of specific training gaps through the development and implementation of SPP-customized tendering procedures

  4. Manage sustainable procurement quality assurance programme with the following key responsibilities:

• Assist with the synthesis and reporting on lessons learned from programme implementation experiences and outcomes, and ensure these are integrated into a toolbox of best practices;

• Support the assessment and development of operational key performance indicators for sustainable procurement, and the development of a matrix for continuous performance and quality measurement.
• Actively participate in the UNDP sustainable procurement network and relevant communities of practice;
• Offer inputs to fill the current gap for processes and tools to conduct effective supplier due diligence;

• Consolidate practical tools and guidelines to guide requisitioners, buyers and suppliers.

  5. Facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices with UNDP Country Offices, UN agencies and public institutions:

• Participate in relevant workshops, conduct training programmes and conferences;

• Facilitated the creation of a community of sustainable procurement practices with relevant counterparts.

Requirements

• Good understanding/prior exposure to work within an international organization will be considered an asset.
• Certifications and recognized training in public procurement is an advantage.

Nationality and age of candidate

• This JPO Position is funded by the Government of Finland and open only to nationals of Finland.
• Age Requirement: maximum 32 years of age at the time of application.

For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment positions and criteria, including nationality and age of candidates, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc/current-vacancies

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Finance, or related field is required; or

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

  Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Required work experience - a minimum of two years of relevant paid working experience with Master’s Degree, and a minimum of four years of relevant paid working experience with Bachelor’s Degree.

• Experience with sustainable public procurement within national or international organisations is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is desirable

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciates/respects differences, aware of unconscious bias, confronts discrimination.

  Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

• Ethics Education and Training - Ability to provide education and training on ethics, values, and standards and promote staff awareness of ethical behavior and ethical decision making

• Management - Ability to segment spend into areas which contain similar or related products enabling focus opportunities for consolidation and efficiency
• Management - Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
• Procure-to-pay Knowledge of purchase-to-pay cycles, concepts, principles and policies, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
• Strategic sourcing Knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
• Governance SDG 16 (Measurement & Monitoring)

• SDG Integration SDG Acceleration

  Attachments needed: • A brief motivation letter in English that explains why you're the perfect candidate for the position by using examples of your interests and achievements • Copy of your passport • Copy of your Bachelor or Master degree

  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

  UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

  Disclaimer

  Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

  Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

  UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

  Applicant information about UNDP rosters

  Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

  Non-discrimination

  UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

  UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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Potential interview questions