Procurement Assistant(s) (GS5) (Multiple Fixed Term Positions), Valencia, Spain, Services Contracting Centre, Supply Division, UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a Champion

Supplies are essential to fulfilling children’s rights. UNICEF procures and supplies over 5,000 products to address the needs of children. Supporting child survival and development programmes around the world, UNICEF-procured supplies are critical in providing for children’s health, education and protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

The Service Contracting Centre (SCC) is part of UNICEF Supply Division. Established in 2017 to bring efficiencies and improve compliance by leading the procurement of services for diverse category of services across all Headquarters Divisions/Offices & becoming source of expert knowledge and resources in the various categories of services.

The Procurement Assistant will assist in the contracting of services for a selected portfolio of services (Specifically in the domain of Communication & Information Technology) in support of Head Quarters Divisions/Offices. The role will be providing effective services to customers, ensuring accurate and timely processing of Requisitions and requests up to the completion and closure of the contracts, with the overall goal of meeting the needs and requirements of the customers.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Contracts Specialist (P3), ICT Services, the Procurement Assistant provides a broad range of transactional, procedural and administrative tasks in support of service contracting activities in ICT related areas including software subscription solutions, connectivity and communication services, data center, cloud-based services, apps/tools development and enhancements (including web, data and mobile apps), digitization services, hardware and ICT equipment, carried out by Head Quarters Divisions/Offices, ensuring timely and efficient output that is in compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and also to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.

At the GS-5 level, the below tasks are expected to be carried out with a high level of independence.

Key Functions & Responsibilities:

• Prepares and analyzes data on past and present procurement transactions to determine the appropriate procurement strategy for different Service Categories, including collaboration with other UN agencies;
• Support planning through coordination with UNICEF Headquarter Divisions as well as provide support to Divisions through the requisitioning stage;
• Reviews incoming requirements from Divisions and Offices in coordination with Supply Division’s Contracts Officer/Manager for appropriateness and completeness of ToRs and other required documentation to ensure quality and adequacy of information;
• Drafts and prepares Requests for Proposals, and coordinates evaluation of proposals with Divisions and Offices, ensuring procurement processes are conducted in a timely manner with transparency and fairness, promoting competition to achieve value for money;
• Assists with preparation of Contract Review Committee (CRC) submissions using an electronic CRC tool;
• Draft and issue Contracts, ensuring Contracts are signed in a timely manner and all documentation is properly filed. Monitors and follows up on progress of Contracts ensuring proper contract management is followed, and contracts are fully implemented. Coordinates required amendments to contracts and the evaluation of suppliers with respective contract managers, and ensures contracts are closed in Vision;
• Drafts and issue LTAS for services. Monitors the use of LTAS in accordance with LTA guidelines, and follows up on performance issues, as well as required amendments and extensions;
• Keeps Contracting Dashboard as well as other information management systems updated with contractual information, to be able to prepare reports and report on progress of contracting processes;
• Maintains filing in accordance with UNICEF guidelines;
• In collaboration with supervisor and Contracts Manager, provide input to help ensure knowledge exchange and learning is prioritized to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team. Develop and facilitate training of newcomers, provide inputs towards establishment of processes or manuals to support effective workflows.
• Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor and Contracts Manager.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Completion of secondary school education is required, supplemented with courses/certifications in business administration, supply chain management and procurement, contract/commercial law, Information Technology or related relevant technical field.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible supply-related work experience (procurement/ contracting, supply) is required. Experience with service contracting is an advantage.
• Familiarity with UNICEF, UN Supply procedures and systems is advantageous.
• Good knowledge of the latest trends in procurement and contracting of information technology services and products for public sector or international organizations is strongly desirable, including for cloud services, software subscription solutions (saas, iaas), connectivity and communication services, data center, cloud-based services, apps/tools development and enhancements (including web, data, and mobile apps), digitization services, hardware, and ICT equipment.
• Awareness of cyber security risks, compliance with standard terms and conditions addressing information and data security, and related best practices are considered an asset.
• Strong computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SAP.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

As an advocate for every child you will receive :

• A competitive salary that is tax-exempted in Spain
• Net salary range of 39,799 – 51,613 Euros per annum depending on experience (medical insurance and pension premiums will be deducted from net salary). Access here the UN Salary Scale for Spain, and here a salary calculator for simulation.
• Holidays and leave, including 2.5 days of annual leave accrual per month
• Parental leave
• Dependency allowance
• United Nations-sponsored medical insurance plan, pension plan, and optional life insurance plan
• Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning, and learning path
• Access to staff well-being and career development support

Please visit the Compensation and Benefits site on UNICEF Career page

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Candidates must either be EU citizens or with valid work permit within EU.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.