Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of the Chief of the General Support Section (GSS), Division for Management (DM), at the United Nations Office at Vienna/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Chief, General Support Section and will support GSS in the management of contracts, both for Vienna Headquarters and UNODC field offices. For more information on UNOV and UNODC, please visit the websites at www.unov.org and www.unodc.org ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Associate Contracts Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Provide advice to the Chief GSS and assist in managing contracts which are under the purview of GSS and its clients, with a focus on service contracts for which GSS has primary responsibility. • Assist in ensuring the effective and efficient management of contracts that fall under GSS for services, goods and works. This includes monitoring contract implementation to ensure all parties fulfil the proper performance of obligations. Coordinate with other teams, units/sections and entities as required. • Provide inputs on statement of works/requirements/terms of reference (including defining performance standards and Key Performance Indicators). Contribute to developing technical evaluation criteria, assist with the evaluation of vendor proposals, and provide guidance during contract formulation. For all contracts managed and supported by GSS, prepare detailed contracts management and administration plans in alignment with the budget and maintain these plans in the planning system. • Assist in developing a quality assurance plan to provide a systematic, structured method to monitor contract performance. • Contribute to carrying out programmatic and administrative tasks as required by GSS. This includes assisting in assigning/monitoring performance parameters and critical indicators, as well as responding to audit observations, as assigned or required. • Assist in serving as Chair to the Tender Opening Committee (TOC), providing support in coordinating and leading the public opening of offers received by UNOV/UNODC. • Prepare integrated, timely and accurate draft reports to monitor and track all aspects of the contracts to ensure uninterrupted contracts management and administration to meet operational requirements. • Play a role in the development and implementation of operational plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), initiatives and projects related to contract compliance, performance management and contract administration. • Participate in the development of contract risk assessments and risk management plans, including mitigating measures. • Contribute to the development of contract compliance checklists and implementation plans. • Participate in the assessment of contractor performance, providing advice and taking action to address instances of poor performance and/or non-compliance with contractual obligations. • Participate in conducting contract closeouts, including identifying, documenting, properly filing and disseminating best practices and lessons learned, and performing final contractor performance assessments. • Liaise with other departments, including the Office of Legal Affairs, in relation to the handling of claims and disputes, demanding specific performance, claiming against warranties, and other contractual remedies, and coordinate efforts to pursue available legal remedies with other stakeholders. • Within the terms and conditions of the contract, work towards resolution of conflicts or performance issues arising from poor performance and/or non-compliance with contractual obligations. • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other related-work duties as required/requested by the Chief of the Section. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Has knowledge of Commercial law and its applicability. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Is able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Communication Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written; Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to clients and senior officials; Proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; Ability to write reports that are clear, concise, and meaningful. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning & Organizing Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in commercial law, supply chain management, business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, logistics, procurement or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P). Job - Specific QualificationCIPS4 Certification is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in commercial law, supply chain, project/contracts management and logistics support OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P), is required. Experience in supply chain or logistics management with the United Nations system or other international organizations is desirable. Experience in the use of Instant Feedback System (IFS), contract performance reporting tool (CPRT) or similar software is desirable. Experience with MRP (Materials Requirements Planning), ERP (Enterprise resource planning), e.g. SAP, ECC (ERP Central Component), or SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) in the areas of contracts management, production planning, scheduling, procurement and logistics processes is desirable. Experience in commercial dispute resolution is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of German is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is financed from project funds. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment will be subject to the availability of funding. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 30th November 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply:Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. The recommendation or selection decision for this position shall be void if the recommended or selected candidate does not obtain a clearance according to ST/SGB/2005/7 on designation of staff members performing significant functions in the management of financial, human or physical resources. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station). United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.