Procurement Associate

Contract

This is a LICA-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-6 contracts.

Background Information - UNOPS

• UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information – Philippines

UNOPS Philippines was established in early 2016 to support, develop and oversee UNOPS' growing portfolio of programmes and projects in the Philippines. The office currently provides implementation services to a range of projects where we work very closely with development partners, the Government and the Supreme Court focusing on the Governance/Justice, health and infrastructure sector.

The office is based in Manila, Philippines with a project side in the Guiuan area.

UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners and is looking for qualified and committed experts.

Background Information – Job Specific

The SUBATRA (2020 - 2025) contract is part of a EU-funded large scale programme “Support to Bangsamoro Transition”. The project is aiming to achieve a smooth and timely implementation of the transition in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and also strengthen the capacity of the Justice System and CSOs to contribute to a peaceful transition.

The objective of the contract is to strengthen the capacity of the new Bangsamoro Transition Authority, established by the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ratified on January 21st, 2019, to efficiently handle the transition as per peace process instrument and Bangsamoro Transition Plan provisions.

A particular focus is placed on capacity building of the transitional government’s superstructure to formulate, implement and monitor transitional policies, capacity building of key governance ministries to deliver basic social services and promote an enabling good governance environment and capacity building of the Parliament to exercise its legislative, oversight and representation functions.

Areas of support to be provided by the technical assistance include institution and capacity building (including public administration and civil service reforms), public policy development, legal development, human resources development, knowledge and IT tools for governmental work.

UNOPS is considered within the EC proposal to be an indirect management entity responsible for the infrastructure and logistics support to Outputs 1,2,3 and 4 of the project.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Procurement Senior Officer, the Procurement Associate is responsible for the effective delivery of procurement services reflecting best practices in international public procurement, compliance with UNOPS procurement rules and regulations, appropriate risk management and obtaining the best value for money. He/she analyzes and interprets the respective rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide range of issues related to procurement.

Maintaining the highest degree of personal and professional ethics, the Procurement Associate maintains a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Business Unit.

1. Transactional Procurement Support services
2. Procurement planning, requisitions and sourcing
3. Bidding and tendering processes
4. Contract administration
5. Team Management
6. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

1. Transactional Procurement Support services

Administers a range of transactional-procurement support activities, ensuring compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies, including the following: - Incorporation of necessary steps to embed sustainability in the procurement process. - Completeness of submissions to the Contract and Property Committees (CPCs). - Completeness of documentation for preparation/processing of Purchase Orders, Contracts, LTAs or their Amendments. - Provision of requested research/data on market supply by conducting routine market research to determine sources of supplies, using United Nations Global Market Place, and other external sources; - Set-up/enhancement and maintenance of the local supplier database, ensuring regular update of data. - Information databases, all procurement files and records updated and maintained. - Status reports generated, as required. - Availability of all supporting documents for audit and review purposes;

2. Procurement planning, requisitions and sourcing

Administratively and technically supports the office’s planning, requisitions/procurement and sourcing support processes, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Collaboration with projects personnel and Managers in the preparation of their procurement plan, awarding, administering and monitoring of all matters related to procurement for the given geographical area / project activity.
• Maintenance and update of procurement monitoring processes for projects and provision of feedback on purchase orders to requesting office;
• Provision of proposals to requesting entity on modes for providing goods, works and services, including procurement deadlines for each stage;
• Review of requisitions for completeness;
• Preparation of proper and complete specification for equipment and materials, Job Profiles and Statement of Works for the preparation of RFP, RFQ and ITB, ensuring clearance/approval by respective units of the requests.
• Constant liaison with vendors and consignee until safe delivery of goods is achieved.
• Drafting of letters, memoranda, faxes, email, etc.; monitoring of progress and liaison with vendors during the entire procurement cycle; investigation and resolution of post-order problems and of progress reports on procurement matters;
• Oral/written responses to queries from projects, clients, companies, etc. regarding procurement related matters
• Preparation of monthly reports on procurement matters;
• Liaison with the logistics unit or projects on receipt of goods, equipments and services in view of obtaining proper delivery report, RIR (Receipt and Inspection Report), or relevant certificates and that proper inventory is taken;

3. Bidding and tendering processes

Undertakes or supervises technical support to bidding and tendering processes, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation of shortlists of suitable contractors/suppliers for purchases of value over designated amounts for approval of designated officer;
• Preparation and issuance of EOI, RFQ, ITB, RFP or other tender documents as required, ensuring their conformity with UNOPS approved templates or seeking legal clearance in case of required adjustments;
• Together with the requesting programme/operations clients, support review and evaluation of bids or proposals received and preparation of analysis for less-complex, contract awards and for submission to the LCPC or other, statutory, designated body;
• Preparation of HQCPC, or designated body, submission together with the requesting programme/operations component;
• Organizing of LCPC (or designated, statutory body) meetings as may be required, and circulating at least 24 hours in advance documents for review;
• Maintenance of records of LCPC or designated, statutory body.

4. Contract administration

Supports efficient contract administration, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Follow-up signing of contracts by vendors;
• Obligation of funds in Enterprise system and obtaining of appropriate signatures for approval;
• Dissemination of contract advertisement and awards;
• Maintenance of contracts and filing system;
• Maintenance of databases/rosters of best suppliers, contractors and service providers, activities and statistics

5. Team Management

• Facilitates the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.
• Provides oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

6. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organizes, facilitates and/or delivers training and learning initiatives for personnel on procurement
• Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in procurement
• Collects feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• First University Degree in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, or related areas is desirable but not required. The first University Degree may substitute for four (4) years of experience.
• Relevant certification in procurement and supply chain management (CIPS or similar) is a distinct advantage.

Experience

• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience (or less depending on academic credentials) in providing procurement support services in national and/or international public or corporate organizations.
• Supervisory experience of personnel in procurement support services is an asset.
• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders in developing countries is an asset.
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.
• Experience in the usage of G Suite is desirable.
• Experience in Contract Management is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)
• Contract level: LICA 6/ ICS 6
• Contract duration: Open-ended

• Duty station: Cotabato, Philippines. Cotabato is a non-family duty station.

  *This is a local position therefore it is open to **Philippine nationality only.***

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.