Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

  • Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
  • Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
  • Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

    ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

    Background Information - Job-specific

    On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements.

    Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.

    UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

    Under the direct supervision of the Procurement Manager and under the guidance of the Head of Support Services the Procurement Officer is responsible for the effective delivery of procurement services reflecting best practices in international public procurement, compliance with UNOPS procurement rules and regulations, appropriate risk management and obtaining the best value for money. He/she analyzes and interprets the respective rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide range of issues related to procurement.

    Maintaining the highest degree of personal and professional ethics, the Procurement Officer maintains a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Business Unit.

    Functional Responsibilities
    1. Implementation of operational procurement strategies

    2. Management of procurement processes

    3. Implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools

    4. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

    5. Team Management

      1. Implements key aspects of operational procurement strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

      • Full compliance of assigned procurement activities with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system.

      • Implementation of, or support to, the different steps of the procurement processes, including Pre-Purchasing: Strategy and Planning; Requirements Definition; Sourcing; Purchasing: Solicitation; Management of Submissions; Evaluation; Review and Award; Post Purchasing: Contract finalization and issuance; Logistics; and Contract Management.

        2. Provides technical support and guidance to procurement processes of the Business Unit, focusing on achievement of the following results:

        • Timely and duly prepared elements of procurement plans and monitoring of their implementation

        • Guidelines followed on embedding sustainability along the procurement process.

        • Organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulation.

        • Preparation of submissions to the Contract and Property Committees (CPCs).

        • Monitoring of contractor performance and certification of completed work for compliance with contractual terms and payment.

        • Advice, remedial actions, or solutions to Project Managers on procurement issues.

        • Drafting of Long Term Agreements (LTAs) and/or service contracts and other instruments, when necessary, either through standard or emergency procurement procedures.

        • Ensuring compliance with procurement policies and best practices and is kept abreast of any policy related updates and their implementation. Conveys and explains procurement policies, best practices, rules & regulations to internal clients with clarity.

          3. Implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools focusing on achievement of the following results:

          • Development and management of the rosters of suppliers.

          • Utilization of-sourcing module in accordance with UNOPS Procurement Group’s goals and standards in this area. 4. Team Management:

            • Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.

            • Provide oversight, ensuring compliance with existing policies and best practices. 5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

              • Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on Procurement-related topics.

                • Contribute to Procurement knowledge networks and communities of practice by providing collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources management.

                • Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

                  Education/Experience/Language requirements
                  Education:
                  • Bachelor’s degree plus 2 years of procurement experience in an international, public or corporate organization is required. .
                  • For candidates who do not have a degree in Procurement of Supply Chain Management, Chartered Institute of Supply and Management (CIPS) or similar international Certification is a distinct advantage.
                  • Knowledge of UN/UNOPS Procurement Rules and Regulations is a distinct advantage. Experience:
                    • Minimum two years of working experience in procurement in an international, public or corporate organization is required.
                    • Some experience in UN system organizations.
                    • Within relevant experience, 1 year of experience related to procurement for infrastructure projects is required
                    • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office 2003 and/or newer versions) is required. Language Requirements:
                      • Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required. Competencies 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. Contract type, level and duration

                        Contract type: ICA
                        Contract level: Local ICA Specialist
                        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 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.

              • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority 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.

              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.

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