Procurement officer

Volunteering Logistics & Procurement

Overview

Manage procurement processes for the DDR programme to ensure delivery of results.

You have:

• Experience in international procurement is required.
• Accredited Certifications in Advanced Supply Chain Management /Procurement/or related field are mandatory; CIPS Level 4 is preferable.
• Experience in a crisis-post-crisis context is an advantage.
• Experience working under pressure and tight deadlines is required.
• Familiarity with the UN and UNDP procedures is an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is required.
• Working on the uses of an e-procurement platform (ERP) is desirable.
• Previous experience on projects funded by multiple donors is an advantage.

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.

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting the Government of Ethiopia in the implementation of the National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Programme (NDRP) as part of broader efforts to consolidate peace and support recovery in conflict-affected regions. The NDRP is being implemented in diverse and politically sensitive settings, including Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, and other areas affected by conflict. These regions vary significantly in terms of their political dynamics, levels of insecurity, and the socio-economic realities faced by ex-combatants and host communities. In this context, the need for clear, consistent, and conflict-sensitive communication is paramount. The dissemination of DDR objectives and progress must be tailored to regional specificities while ensuring alignment with national narratives. Misinformation, political contestation, and diverging public expectations pose significant risks to the credibility and perceived neutrality of the DDR programme. As such, strategic communication and risk analysis are critical to mitigating tensions, building trust, and maintaining the programme’s momentum.

Under the direct supervision of the Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration Director (DDR), The Procurement officer will;

Elaborate and manage the implementation of innovative and sustainable procurement strategies and policies that are in alignment with principles of fairness, integrity, and transparency to achieve the best value for money.

• Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and strategic priorities through effective internal controls and a properly used client–oriented procurement management system.
• Compliance with CO Procurement business processes and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Procurement, control of the workflows in the Project. Management Unit, harmonization of the workflows in the office. • Elaboration and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies. • Conceptualization, elaboration, and implementation of contract strategy in the DDR project, including tendering processes and evaluation, contractor appraisal, evaluation, and negotiation of offers. management of the contract and contractor, legal considerations, payment conditions, and risk assessment. • Conceptualization, elaboration, and implementation of strategic procurement in the DDR project, including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer. relationship management, e-procurement introduction and promotion, and performance measurement. • Elaborate/establish internal public sector procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), mapped PSP/F procurement business processes, and harmonized workflows within the Procurement unit and the broader CO. • Discuss procurement strategies and plans with projects and other implementing partners and donors to ensure mutual alignment and compliance with each party’s rules and regulations.

Ensures efficient management of procurement processes for the DDR programme.

• Timely and proper preparation of procurement plans for the project, establishment of the deadlines, and monitoring of their implementation. • Establishment and implementation of a proper monitoring system and control of procurement processes, including organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt and evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations. • Ensure that procurement cases are submitted to an oversight committee as per UNDP delegation of procurement authority to: Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP), Regional Advisory Committee of Procurement (RACP), and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP). • Work on the Implementations of the buyer role in Quantum through the delegation of responsibilities.
• Elaboration and implementation of the internal control system, which ensures that Purchase Orders (PO) are duly prepared and dispatched. Timely corrective actions on POs with budget check errors and other problems. • Management of the implementation of the procurement processes monitoring system and mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in procurement.

Effectively manage procurement processes for the DDR Unit to ensure the quality and efficiency of delivery of results:

• Effective management of project delivery, including planning, coordination, and execution of project activities in line with the approved work plan. • Coordination of the planning, organization, and oversight of project administrative and logistic operations, including recruitment, consultancy missions, workshops, and other project activities. • Provide technical support to implementing partners in procurement planning, procurement, and post-delivery monitoring.
• Review and certify submission of documents to internal procurement review committees (CAP, RACP, and ACP).
• Ensure management of procurement contracts and perform delegated responsibilities in procurement for Purchase Orders approval.

Elaborate, introduce, and implement strategic sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools to find the best values in the marketplace and align purchasing strategy to project and CO goals. • In collaboration with the CO procurement unit, develop and manage rosters of suppliers, elaborate supplier selection and evaluation, and quality and performance measurement mechanisms. • In collaboration with the CO procurement unit, review and provide input on the Terms of Reference for the establishment of Long-Term Agreements/Framework Agreements for a more efficient category management. • Work on the implementations of the Management of the e-procurement system.

Facilitate procurement knowledge building and knowledge sharing in CO, Region, UNDP, and UN.
• Organize procurement training for the operations and project staff. • Organize procurement training for implementing partners as required. • Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in procurement. • Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The Procurement officer will promote a collaborative, client-focused, quality, strategic, and results oriented approach to all tasks; and work in close collaboration with Operations, Programme, and project teams in DDR Unit team at country office and regional project office level as well as with vendors and implementing partners to successfully deliver procurement services, provide solutions to emerging procurement issues, and provide advisory support.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have a lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate the complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate the benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

• Experience in a crisis-post-crisis context is an advantage. • Experience in international procurement is required. • The post requires considerable experience working under pressure and tight deadlines. • Previous experience on projects funded by multiple donors is an advantage. • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems is required. • Working on the uses of an e-procurement platform ( ERP) is more desirable.
• Familiarity with the UN in general and UNDP procedures in particular, and/or previous experience with the UN is an asset. • Accredited Certifications in Advanced supply chain Management /Procurement/or related field are mandatory. CIPS Level 4 is preferable and is an asset.

The UNDP Country office in Ethiopia is in central Addis Ababa. It is located inside the Economic Commission of Africa, ECA, where some of the UN Offices are housed. It is in the official district of Kazanchis, where accommodation can also be found within walking distance of the office. Housing There are several high-rise buildings in the neighbourhood of the office and most of the expatriates working with the UN live in the area.

There are one/two/three-bedroom apartments. Some are fully furnished, and the tenants can only move in with their suitcases while others are not furnished. Cost of Living For a single individual, the cost of living can vary between USD2,000 to USD3,500. This would include rent, utilities, food, and other amenities. It can, however, go up depending on the individual’s lifestyle.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”

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Potential interview questions

Added 10 months ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: unv.org