Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Division of Information Systems and Telecommunications (DIST) is responsible for ensuring the right information and communications solutions are designed, developed and maintained in a cost-effective, timely and secure manner, enabling UNHCR to fulfil its mandate. DIST is a geographically dispersed division - with its workforce spread between Geneva, Copenhagen, Budapest, Amman, - working closely with the IT workforce in the field to ensure global alignment and effective implementation of the Organization¿s IT strategy.
Key to the effective and transparent implementation of the IT strategy, the Strategic Sourcing Unit ensures relationships with its strategic partners are effectively managed and that their performance is compliant with the contract term and deliverables. The Head of the Strategic Sourcing Relationship Management Unit reports to the Chief of the IT Planning and Support Section.
The incumbent will help to oversee the Strategic Sourcing Relationship Management Unit. S/he will oversee the sourcing of managed service engagements, which are service-level and performance-based, for complex IT domains (e.g. network, platform, cloud services, software development & maintenance). This includes leading the process from procurement execution, to contract award and negotiation, and monitoring performance throughout the contract lifecycle. This position requires expertise in IT service-based contracting, including handling of complex legal negotiations and contract management in this context.
The incumbent will work closely with the global DIST team, Procurement Service, and the Legal Affairs Service.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Define, negotiate, and manage ongoing relationship with strategic (Managed Service Provider) MSPs; monitor their performance, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
- Lead vendor management and supply chain activities in a cost effective and efficient manner which supports the Organisation's mandate and DIST¿s operational objectives.
- Work with the Senior Management Team to set the Vendor Management strategy and identify services that could be optimised (lower cost, more effective) by using managed service providers.
- Communicate with internal stakeholders to ensure a full understanding of the managed service offering(s) and build the capacity of DIST colleagues who are managing service providers to ensure that the right vendor management approaches are being implemented.
- Lead bi-weekly planning schedule reviews with the CIO and Deputy Directors.
- Identify risks in the strategic partnerships and put in place an immediate and appropriate risk treatment.
- Participate in the annual planning process for strategic outsourced managed services to support DIST goals.
- Develop a vendor review planning schedule for the medium to long term (1-2 years) to assess performance of service providers; develop and present the vendor and service review schedules for major managed services.
- Provide support to the business and key stakeholders in establishing Service Level Objectives (SLOs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) appropriate and applicable to strategic initiatives and programmes. Establish quality assurance processes which include specific internal controls and self-evaluation criteria and procedures.
- Ensure there are clear metrics to measure performance of function and provide monthly reports and scorecards including, but not limited to dashboards, SLAs, and procurement status.
- Compile and analyse statistical information and benchmarking, identify trends and developments in supply chain related matters that will assist in decision making to support strategic sourcing activities, including but not limited to: spend analysis, supply market analysis, supplier analysis, RFI/RFQ/RFP/ITB building, negotiations, baseline analysis, contracting, outsourcing, and product lifecycle management.
- Work with staff involved in procuring new services to set up the appropriate vendor management and commercial aspects to the procurement, including supporting the Request for Proposal (RFP) and evaluation process.
- Work with the DIST Resource Management Unit (RMU) to ensure contract renewals and payments are managed effectively, and with the appropriate Service Delivery Manager(s) to ensure invoices from MSPs are promptly paid by monitoring expenditure against budget and alert the responsible Service Delivery Manager of any foreseen variations on the spending against the established budget.
- Oversee the transition of managed services from one supplier to another in coordination and collaboration with the respective DIST service areas.
- Manage internal relationships with key stakeholders including Legal Affairs Service and the Procurement Service to ensure administrative aspects of contract management are effectively managed and that contractual issues and disputes are interpreted and resolved.
- Develop relevant contacts and build constructive relations with, UN agencies and others, to foster mutual benefits and innovative solutions.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4 - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
*Commercial Law Business Administration International Business Law
Information & Communications Technologies or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
ITIL V3 Foundation Level
Project Management
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
- 5 years of recent experience of managing IT or other service provision activity, or vendor management.
- Commercial experience of awarding and maintaining IT services contracts.
- Significant experience of negotiating the legal aspects of IT service agreements, as well as working with legal and procurement services to successfully establish frame agreements.
- Experience of negotiating IT licenses with vendors.
- Experience of identifying value for money benefits from vendor management for large IT contracts.
- Experience of operating in a formal vendor management environment, setting up formal reviews and evaluations of supplier performance.
- Experience generating improved service provision via structured engagement and review processes.
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken (commercial/legal) English.
Desirable:
- Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in different functional areas in a demanding working environment with short deadlines.
- Familiarity with UN/UNHCR rules, regulations, procedures and processes.
Functional Skills
*IT-Service Delivery Management
*IT-IT Operations Management
IT-IT Systems and Standards
LE-International Commercial Law
LE-Contract law applied by the UN
LE-Privileges and immunities of UN/HCR and its staff
SC-Public procurement
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)