PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT
Assist in procurement activities and contract management
Overview
Assist in procurement activities and contract management
You have:
- High school diploma or equivalent is required.
- A certificate of procurement or Contract management training is desirable.
- Completion of procurement training managed by the United Nations including international certifications such as CIPS or SCOR-P is desirable.
- At least seven (07) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contracts management, administrative services or related areas.
- Experience working with an ERP system in the area of purchasing and/or supply chain is desirable.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in French is desirable.
Contract
This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.
Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), duty station Nicosia. The incumbent reports to the Buyers’ supervisor or to the Chief of Section, Procurement or her/his designate.
Responsibilities : Under the supervision and general guidance of the Chief of Section or her/his designate, the incumbent will perform the following functions:
•Reviews, records and prioritizes purchasing requests and obtains additional information/documentation as required; provides assistance to requisitioners in preparing scope of work and specifications of goods and services; proposes product substitutions consistent with requirements to achieve cost savings; determines the availability of funding sources. •Identify and recommend sources of procurement; interview potential suppliers. •Produces tender documents (e.g. Invitations to Bids, Requests for Proposals and Requests for Quotation) based on the nature of the requirements and cost of procurement involved. •Prepares abstracts of offers and compile data contained in quotations, proposals and bids to determine which supplier can deliver the required goods/services at the best terms and lowest costs possible with due consideration to quality, delivery time, prompt payment and other discounts, transportation costs, etc. •Enters into negotiation of terms and conditions of orders under the guidance of the Section Chief ; obtains credit and other information on proposed suppliers. •Finalizes purchase orders and contracts for approval by the relevant authority; may authorize purchases in line with delegated signature authority, and, if required, prepares submission to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official. •Resolves issues/problems related to delivered goods, including discrepancies between purchase orders and items/quantities shipped or received; prepares signs and returns to Vendor forms for unacceptable and/or damaged goods received. •Maintains relevant internal databases and files; keeps track of any contractual agreements, direct provisioning contracts, etc. and informs affected users of contractual rights and obligations. •Researches, retrieves and presents information from a variety of internal and external sources on sources of supply, vendors by commodity, etc., as well as obtain specifications for new products and equipment on the market. •Drafts a variety of correspondence. •Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of procurement policies, processes and procedures and of purchasing and accounting techniques. Knowledge of financial rules and regulations and ability to research and gather information from a variety of standard sources and to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education High school diploma or equivalent is required. A certificate of procurement or Contract management training is desirable. Completion of procurement training managed by the United Nations including international certifications such as CIPS or SCOR-P is desirable.
Work Experience At least seven (07) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contracts management, administrative services or related areas. Experience working with an ERP system in the area of purchasing and/or supply chain is desirable.
Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required.
Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice Applicants in the General Service category shall meet the relevant employment requirements of the host country (Republic of Cyprus), including fulfilling visa or work permit stipulations.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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.
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.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you had to negotiate a contract with a supplier? | This question assesses your negotiation skills and ability to handle supplier relationships. | Discuss your approach to negotiation, including research, strategies used, and the final outcome. |
| How do you prioritize multiple purchasing requests from different departments? | This question evaluates your organizational and prioritization skills in a high-demand environment. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a situation where you encountered a discrepancy in a purchase order. How did you handle it? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What steps do you take to ensure compliance with procurement policies? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you explain how you would research and select suppliers for a new product line? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |