Procurement Analyst

Contract

This is a UNV International Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Expert contracts.

Across Asia and the Pacific, UNDP helps countries build and share their own solutions to urgent development challenges, supporting coalitions for change and connecting individuals and institutions so they can share knowledge, experience and resources. As countries develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of regional and global partners.

The Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) concentrates its efforts on developing the region’s capacity to promote and accelerate action on its progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It implements the UNDP Strategic Plan in Asia and the Pacific and delivers on UNDP’s partnerships within the region and with development actors in the region. UNDP has corporately prioritized the implementation of SDG country support platforms as its main value offer in the new strategic plan. RBAP is actively taking ownership of this agenda and positioning its Country Offices (COs) and regional support to achieve these corporate commitments.

In this context, the Bureau is making conscious efforts to provide enhanced support to the COs within the region to accelerate programme delivery.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Procurement Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), and overall guidance from the Programme Management Specialist, the UN Volunteer Procurement Analyst supports COs in key procurement actions, ensuring the transparency and integrity of the processes. S/he promotes a collaborative and client-oriented approach in her/his work, in close collaboration with Regional Procurement Advisor, Management and Oversight Specialists and CO support teams based in the Bangkok Regional Hub.

S/he works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the COs for resolving procurement related issues.

1. Ensures effective implementation of procurement strategies and adaptation of processes in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations: • Promoting full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures; implementation of effective internal controls, and analysis of parameters in support of effective design and functioning of procurement support to COs in the Asia-Pacific region; • Supporting the implementation of effective monitoring and control of procurement processes in COs including organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, and contracting in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulation; • Support efforts in quality assurance reviews of procurement operations in COs and propose corrective and improvement measures. • Providing on demand on-site and remote procurement services to COs as required; • Providing support to COs in translating corporate procurement policies and procedures into standard operating procedures for CO-level procurement processes; providing inputs to policy changes at corporate level based on CO experience and evolving needs, as needed.

2. Support to developing regional framework agreements and vendor rosters: • Analyzing and proposing cost saving and reduction strategies with a view to develop regional framework agreements; • Developing and managing rosters of suppliers and performance.

3. Support to coordination of development and implementation of procurement strategies: • Coordinating analysis and development of contract strategies, sourcing strategies, quality management and supplier selection, improvement of procurement processes in the COs; • Promoting and providing support to COs in introducing and implementing sourcing strategies and use of the Atlas e-procurement module.

4. Support to management of procurement processes: • Providing advice and support to COs for preparation of procurement plans for COs, and monitoring implementation progress across the region; identifying and analyzing bottlenecks and deficiencies in procurement and proposing solutions; • Support efforts in quality assurance reviews of procurement plans, advise on improvements, strategies and delivery acceleration measures; • Providing technical advice for the successful implementation of medium to complex procurement projects; • Managing procurement actions, outsourced from COs to the Regional Hub including review of bid documents and evaluation criteria; organizing evaluation panel meetings; preparing evaluation reports and submission to procurement review committees, as required; • Preliminary review of CO submissions to procurement committees, as required.

5. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing. • Supporting the organization of regional training events on procurement, including needs assessments, technical inputs and support to logistics; • Providing training to UNDP staff on specific procurement issues, the implementation of business improvement tools such as e-tendering, automated travel processes, etc. • Synthesize lessons learned and good practices in procurement from COs and contribute to sharing them through UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The UN Volunteer Procurement Analyst shall perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs

• As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions as described in the previous section. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Business Administration or Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Economics, or related field; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination of additional 2 years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree; • Level 3 certification of CIPS or equivalent is preferred; • At least 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in procurement related function is a requirement; • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems is required; • Good knowledge of ERP systems (such as PeopleSoft) is desirable; • Experience with UN/UNDP/Development Organizations procurement actions is desirable; • Knowledge of UN/UNDP/Development Organizations Procurement Policies and Procedures is desirable; and • Proficiency in English, both written and verbal is required.

Thailand is located in Southeast Asia. The climate is tropical, with the monsoon season running from May/June through October/November. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, and it is also the most populated city in the country. It is located in the Chao Phraya River delta in the central part of the country. Bangkok has an estimated population of 8.75 million as of 2017 (13% of Thailand’s total population), based on data from the 2010 census. Over the past decades, Bangkok has grown rapidly with little urban planning or regulation. This has led to traffic congestion and air pollution, and there is frequent flooding of streets during the rainy season in the City’s low-lying areas.

The cost of living in Thailand is relatively low, as compared to many other capitals in Southeast Asia. Housing is widely available in various sizes and at various price points. Private healthcare in Thailand is of excellent standard, and there are numerous top hospitals in Bangkok, which fall far below countries like the US in terms of price. There are numerous high-quality international schools available in Bangkok, with English as the language of instruction. Bangkok has different public transportation options, including the BTS Skytrain and MRT Underground, metered taxis, mobile-based ride-hailing services (Grab, All Thai Taxi, etc.), tuk tuks, motorbike taxis, buses and boats.