PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a FS-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 8 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-5 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central Africa Republic (MINUSCA) within the Procurement Section. The Procurement Assistant will be based in Bangui and report to the Chief Procurement Officer.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Procurement Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Procurement actions for assigned Plan procurement actions for assigned projects, some of which are highly complex:

• Review, record and prioritize purchasing requests, obtain additional information and/or documentation as required, provide assistance to requisitioners in preparing scope of work and specifications of goods and services and how to develop the Source Selection Plan in order to ensure the implementation of Best Value for Money principal.
• Prepare and finalize Source Selection Plans;
• Research the market. Identify and recommend sources of procurement; Post Request for Expression of Interest for tender requirement in the UN Procurement Division website for Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITBs);
• Produce tender documents (e.g. Invitation to bids, Request for Proposals and Request for Quotations) based on the nature of the requirements and cost of procurement involved.

Compile and present procurement data for presentations and/or report monitoring:

• Submit upon initial screening technical proposals to the requisitioners or the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) for technical evaluation and follow up with them to expedite the process of technical evaluation;
• Review technical evaluations received from requisitioning offices;
• Prepare and analyze abstracts of offers and compile data contained in quotations, proposals and bids to determine which vendor could deliver the required goods/services at the best terms and lowest costs possible;
• Prepare presentations for review and clearance by the Chief Procurement Officer and present to Local Committee on Contracts (LCC) and / or Headquarters Committee on Contracts (HCC) in respect of all proposed contract awards exceeding the Procurement unit’s authority, and obtain recommendation for approval from the Contracts Committee (LCC and/or HCC).
• Assist relevant officers in more complex, higher value purchasing operations;

Draft and issue Contracts; and post-award financial management:

• Draft Service/Project Contracts, Lease Agreements, Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA’s), Amendment to the Contract and BPA’s, Prepare Statement of Awards; Ensure that Contracts/BPA are timely renewed;
• Resolve issues/problems related to delivered goods / rendered services, including discrepancies between contracts/purchase orders and articles received; prepare, sign and return to vendor forms for unacceptable services and/or goods received;
• Review and evaluate the performance of vendors and contractors; identify any shortcomings; initiate appropriate recommendations to the Vendor Review Committee for suspension and/ or exclusion of those who fail to perform satisfactorily from any further business with the field mission;
• Monitor Purchase Orders (POs) and contracts including follow up actions and follow up for timely delivery of goods and services. Raise Change Order if required;
• Liaise permanently with the rest of the Procurement Sections/Units in order to ensure that contracts/ purchase orders are timely renewed; and follow up with requisitioner for completeness and submission of vendor performance report after completion of the order / contract and take appropriate action;
• Maintain relevant internal database and files, keep track of any contractual agreements and inform respective contract management officials and end users of contractual rights and obligations, monitor deadlines (e.g. delivery dates, expiry dates, renewal dates, etc.) taking appropriate and timely action to ensure timely delivery;
• Supervise the sale by auction of mission assets which have been written off the inventory and recommended for sale by property survey board action; prepare advertisements; organize viewing of assets; receive bids; prepare documentation for the opening of bid; coordinate with the relevant section the handover of equipment once payment is made;

Procurement Unit management's support:

• Supervise and assign and review the work of more junior staff.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

  Competencies Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification Professional training in procurement and contracts management is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of eight (08) years of progressively responsible professional experience in procurement, contract management, administration or related area is required.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.