Background Information - Job-specific
Background Information - UNOPS
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.
Background Information - East and Southern Africa Country (ESAMCO)
The ESAMCO sub-region currently consists of a multi-country office in Nairobi, Kenya. It is responsible for developing, delivering, managing and implementing a portfolio of engagements, programmes and projects spread across multiple countries in the East and Southern Africa Region by helping its partners achieve project goals in project management, procurement, infrastructure, human resource management and advisory services. It plays a critical role in providing management services for its life-saving peace building, humanitarian and development operations; supporting projects on behalf of a range of partners and creating real results that matter for people in need. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN Habitat and UNEP and multiple operational projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Eritrea and several island states. It provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of organizational processes and quality standards across all of the countries. The office also operationally supports the Africa Regional office which is based in Nairobi Kenya.
Background Information - Procurement
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the functional supervisor(s) / Head of Support Services, the Procurement Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic and effective procurement services reflecting international public procurement best practices, compliance with UNOPS procurement policy, rules, regulations and procedures, ensuring appropriate risk management and obtaining the best value for money for the acquisition of goods, services and the contracting of works.
He/she analyzes and interprets the respective rules and regulations and provides advice and solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues related to procurement. The role requires a deep understanding of procurement policy and processes and the Procurement Manager should be able to apply them to the appropriate situations.
In addition to responsibility for the deliverables of the work team, the incumbent’s work is focused on strategic relationship building and demand management, mainly referred to aggregation and dealing with complex organizational structures, preparation of business cases and understanding of the supply market, as well as sharing knowledge with projects in order to achieve reductions of costs and savings.
Maintaining the highest degree of personal and professional ethics, the Procurement Manager promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Business Unit.
The Procurement Manager works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and Project Management teams in the given geographical area and UNOPS HQ personnel, particularly with the Procurement Group (PG) and Contracts Committee, and Government officials to successfully deliver procurement services.
The Procurement Manager will work in close cooperation with the Business Unit and Project Managers and report to the management on central issues related to procurement activities. S/he supervises and leads procurement personnel to deliver work results, in close cooperation with the leadership team in the given geographical area. The Procurement Manager may have both primary and secondary reports, both individuals and teams that are based within project units/ project offices or country offices within the multi-country office. These individuals would be both internationals/ nationals. The procurement manager may be allocated pre-clearance reviewer rights and approvals.
Functional ResponsibilitiesA minimum of five (5) years’ relevant professional procurement experience in advising on, implementing policies and procedures to deliver a range of complex procurement programmes and services is required.
A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in managing complex high value procurement cases and managing teams consisting of both locals and internationals is required.
Knowledge of UN/ /UNOPS Procurement Rules and Regulations, including Emergency Procurement Processes, is a distinct advantage.
Experience working in hardship locations is a distinct advantage.
Experience working in infrastructure procurement is desirable.
Experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders on procurement in developing or developed countries is an asset. Prior experience within UN system organizations, particularly in a developing country context, is highly desirable.
Proficiency in computer use and office software packages, along with experience in handling web-based management systems, is an asset. Familiarity with enterprise systems, particularly OneUNOPS, is desirable.
Language:
Fluency in written and oral English is required
Knowledge of any other UN language will be an asset.Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA).
Contract level: International ICA 2 (ICS-10).
Contract duration: One year renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability. In duty stations where the NPO category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), an international professional and international ICA positions must be changed to an NPO or LICA professional position for it to be encumbered by a national or permanent resident holder.
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 Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya which is a family duty station.
This vacancy is at ICSC Level 10 i.e. equally qualified International ICA (IICA 2) or local ICA (LICA 10) applicants are welcomed to apply.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.