Procurement Associate

Provide procurement services to UNDP projects and ensure compliance with regulations and policies.

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UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

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Application deadline 6 months ago: Thursday 13 Nov 2025 at 00:00 UTC

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Overview

Provide procurement services to UNDP projects and ensure compliance with regulations and policies.

You have:

  • At least 3 years of professional work experience, at the national and/or international level, in the implementation of Procurement activities.
  • Desired knowledge of the Quantum system, in the implementation of procurement activities.
  • CIPS 2 certifications would be an asset.
  • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners.
  • Ability to adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment and work effectively in a multicultural team.
  • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications and email/internet.
  • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
  • Sound security awareness.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Under the guidance and overall supervision of the Procurement Specialist, the Procurement Associate provides procurement services to UNDP projects as well as to UNDP supported agencies. He / She ensures high quality, fast delivery, and accuracy of related work. The Procurement Associate promotes a client focused, quality and results, oriented approach within the Unit. The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, Programme, and projects staff in the CO and UNDP HQs to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Procurement Specialist, the UNV Procurement Associate will:

• Ensure elaboration and implementation of operational strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

o Full compliance of procurement activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of effective internal control, proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system. o CO Procurement business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Procurement and Logistics, control of the workflows in the Procurement Unit. o Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies. o Implementation of contract strategy in the CO including tendering processes and evaluation, contractor appraisal, managing the contract and contractor, legal considerations and payment conditions, risk assessment. o Implementation of the strategic procurement in the CO including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management, e-procurement introduction and promotion, performance measurement.

• Assist in procurement processes for CO various projects, UN House and at the request of other Agencies focusing on achievement of the following results:

o Timely and duly preparation of procurement plans for the office and projects and monitoring of their implementation. o Implementation of proper monitoring and control of procurement processes including organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulation. o Review and certification of submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP) and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP). o Elaboration of the internal control system which ensures that Purchase orders are duly prepared and dispatched. Timely corrective actions on POs with budget check errors and other problems. o Establishment of the procurement processes monitoring system and mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in procurement. o Preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for procurement services provided by UNDP to other Agencies. o Implementation of harmonized procurement services and elaboration of proposals on common services expansion in the UN House, introduction of joint procurement for the UN Agencies in line with the UN reform.

• Ensure introduction and implementation of sourcing strategy and eprocurement tools focusing on achievement of the following results:

o Development and management of the rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, quality and performance measurement mechanisms.

• Ensure proper control of CO Assets focusing on achievement of the following results:

o Elaboration and implementation of inventory management. o Implementation of Inventory and physical verification control in the CO and o projects.

• Ensure organization of logistical services focusing on achievement of the following results:

o Coordination of travel management, shipments arrangements, vehicle maintenance, conference facilities arrangements. o Timely conduct DSA, Travel Agencies, vehicle maintenance, hotel and conference facilities surveys.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

•At least 3 years of professional work experience, at the national and/or international level, in the implementation of Procurement activities; experience with UNDP is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization. •Desired knowledge of the Quantum system, in the implementation of procurement activities • CIPS 2 certifications would be an asset. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Sound security awareness.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in (Beirut). National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

National UN Specialist Volunteers in Lebanon are entitled to:

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 1,606.58 • Annual and learning leaves; • Medical and life Insurance • Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service

Potential interview questions

Describe a situation where you had to ensure compliance with procurement regulations. This assesses your understanding of compliance and procurement processes. Provide a specific example that illustrates your ability to follow rules and regulations in procurement.
How do you approach developing and implementing cost-saving strategies in procurement? The interviewer wants to understand your strategic thinking regarding cost management. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of a challenging negotiation you've had with a supplier? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What steps would you take to ensure effective inventory management? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks when dealing with tight deadlines? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe your experience with sourcing strategies and e-procurement tools. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you handle working in a multicultural team environment? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What methods do you use to monitor procurement processes and identify deficiencies? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 7 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unv.org