Procurement Senior Manager - Procurement Assurance

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 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 - Implementation Practices and Standards (IPS)

Within UNOPS, Implementation Practices and Standards (IPS) is responsible for the UNOPS delivery practices. IPS provides thought leadership, standards and oversight as support to the successful delivery of programmes and projects within UNOPS service lines (infrastructure, procurement, project management, human resources and financial management services).

IPS is comprised of the Infrastructure and Project Management Group and the Procurement Group which aims to reduce organizational risks, improve project performance, and promote excellence across UNOPS projects through the Standards Management Framework; and provides organisational oversight on the application of standards. These Groups also support the positioning of UNOPS in the UN system and development sector in Infrastructure, Project Management and Procurement.

In addition, the Portfolio Support unit contributes to the organisational readiness of UNOPS. Last, the IPS is hosting the corporate Knowledge Management initiative.

Background Information - PG

The Procurement Group (PG) is part of Implementation Practices and Standards (IPS) and is based at UNOPS HQ in Copenhagen. It leads the organization’s procurement practice and is responsible for: articulating strategy, policy positions and innovative solutions for procurement at UNOPS; enabling the operationalization and managerial oversight of UNOPS procurement activities through appropriate systems and reports; strengthening the knowledge, skills and career development of procurement practitioners; and leading the implementation of Sustainable Procurement across the organization.

As a central procurement resource for the United Nations system and its partners, UNOPS emphasizes efficient, transparent, cost-effective and sustainable delivery of goods, services and works, in line with public procurement best practices. On a yearly basis, UNOPS procures approx. USD 1 Bn worth of goods, services and works on behalf of our partners. These include a broad base of categories, including life-saving pharmaceuticals, mine action equipment, vehicles or road construction services.

Since 2015, UNOPS has been a leader in sustainable procurement, receiving awards such as the Gold Certificate in Sustainable Procurement from CIPS and has implemented best practices in procurement including on procurement policy, ethics and fraud prevention, e-Procurement, and business intelligence and procurement advisory services.

Background Information - Job-specific

PG has developed in past years a series of procurement business intelligence and data analysis tools, building on the increased use by the organization of eProcurement systems and modules (eSourcing system, ERP’s contract management and supplier performance evaluation modules, etc.). This is currently being enhanced through a corporate reporting initiative, led by the ICT department in cooperation with other relevant groups. In addition, the organization has made a number of improvements in recent years on the guidance and tools for offices to develop procurement strategies and plans.

The Procurement Group has decided to create this new position to further develop and lead its approach to the procurement quality assurance and oversight of procurement activities across the organization, including by leveraging data for strategic decision making; and to conduct procurement capacity, risk and performance assessments.

Due to the nature of the job, the selected candidate is expected to travel occasionally to field offices, particularly to conduct capacity assessment and development missions.

It is expected there will be constant interaction and collaboration with other PG teams and key stakeholders, including UNOPS Regions and offices, and other HQ groups such as: the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG), the Information and Technology Group (ITG), the Integrated Practice Advice and Support (IPAS), the Headquarters Contracts and Property Committee (HQCPC), the Internal Audit and Investigations Group (IAIG), the Finance Group (FG), the Ethics and Compliance Office (ECO).

Functional Responsibilities

The Procurement Senior Manager - Procurement Assurance will report to the Director, PG and be part of PG’s Senior Management Team, where s/he will contribute to development, and execution of the PG strategy and Business Plan. The main functional responsibilities of this position are as follows:

1. Team management

• Leadership of the Procurement Assurance team, including personnel on a retainer contract;
• Development, planning, and execution of the work plan for the team within the agreed timeline and quality standards;
• Promote continuous learning within the team and collaboration across the organization;
• Fostering and enabling a positive environment of trust, transparency and diversity;
• Identify, attract, recruit and onboard new talent for vacant positions if applicable.

2. Develop and manage the procurement Procurement Assurance approach

• Supervise the development and application of a comprehensive approach to enable the oversight and performance management of procurement activities at UNOPS, assure application of Standards, in alignment and coordination with other IPS and IPMG oversight activities;
• Responsible for the design of relevant dashboards, key performance indicators (KPIs) and reports for key stakeholders, including: Project Executives, Project Managers, senior management, Regional Management and Oversight Advisors, procurement managers, procurement practitioners;
• Review quantitative data sources as well as the quality of underlying procurement processes to identify and communicate to PG Director,regions and offices opportunities for improvement as well as best practices;
• Advise and make recommendations to the Director, PG on the potential variation of an office’s level of Delegation of Authority (DOA) in procurement;
• Produce procurement data in the context of internal and external audits or in collaborative initiatives with other UN agencies.
• Oversee the project to deliver the Annual Statistical Report on UN Procurement (ASR).

3. Conduct procurement risk assessments

• Lead procurement risk assessments of field offices, focusing on performance, compliance and best practices and make recommendations for improvement to facilitate overall higher standards, the early identification of issues and risks as well as opportunities for regional best practices to be replicated corporately;
• Support the development of action plans for improvements and the follow up by the Country Office and Regional Office;
• Deliver capacity building activities in procurement in coordination with other PG colleagues.

4. Knowledge sharing & Contributions to PG

• Support the application of procurement policy, best-practices and standards;
• Support, strengthen and improve change initiatives that will lead to enhanced knowledge, and effective application of UNOPS’ procurement processes and tools;
• Keep abreast of and be adept in contemporary procurement techniques and industry practices as they impact UNOPS to implement projects;
• Provide technical inputs to PG publications, especially in relation to procurement management and strategic positioning papers;
• Show leadership within and contribute to the procurement community of practice, by maintaining contact and building relationships by addressing questions, providing support and acting as an available resource.

Carry out other related tasks as assigned by the Director, PG.

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. 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/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced Degree (Master’s Degree) preferably in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or related field.
• A First University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with a minimum of nine (9) years’ qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement and/or supply chain management operations is required.
• One (1) year in a supervisory role is required (and can be included in the above experience).
• Experience working at UN/UNOPS field offices will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in the application of UNOPS/UN procurement policies and procedures will be considered an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and oral English is a requirement
• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA Contract level: IICA-3 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

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

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.
• It is highly recommended to include a motivation letter on your application.
• 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.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

Other considerations:

• IPS offers a unique work environment in UNOPS headquarters, in Copenhagen, Denmark, located in the UN City building, one of Copenhagen’s landmarks. UNOPS HQ offers a safe, family-friendly lifestyle environment with multiple opportunities for networking and active lifestyle, in a city known for its excellent urban design and planning.
• The IPS team is a diverse team in terms of age, nationalities and family situations. IPS is keen on strengthening diversity in the team with a current focus on gender equality and geographic diversity. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. IPS is very dynamic and welcomes agility, autonomy and self-drive. The work of IPS is oriented towards exciting opportunities which have a corporate, global impact and is in touch with the whole of UNOPS.
• UNOPS has a hosting agreement with the Government of Denmark, and as such both national and international candidates are eligible for HQ-based positions. UNOPS officials are exempt from Danish taxes on UN incomes. EU citizens may opt to be registered with the Danish State Administration as EU migrant worker and keep the rights associated with that status or register through UNOPS with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. EU Citizens may apply for the public Danish health insurance or special health card depending on their choice of registration, while the non-EU citizens will be registered by UNOPS under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.