Procurement Senior Associate

Purpose and scope of assignment

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager the Procurement Senior Associate, ensures the provision of efficient and timely support services in procurement and contract administration to the different programmers in a relevant geographical area. He/she promotes a client-focused, quality, and results- oriented approach and provides support to procurement personnel. In the discharge of her/his duties, the Procurement Senior Associate works with minimal supervision and liaises with UNOPS programme support colleagues and technical experts, in order to ensure the best quality of service. 

Functions/Key Results Expected

Summary of key results:

1. Transactional Procurement Support services

2. Procurement planning and systems 

3. Requisitions/procurement and sourcing 

4. Bidding and tendering 

5. Contract administration

6. Team Management

7. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Transactional Procurement Support services

Ensures compliance of transactional procurement activities with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies, including undertaking the following: 

• Execution of necessary steps to embed sustainability in the procurement process.

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

2. Procurement planning and systems 

Ensures team/personnel provision of support to procurement planning and systems, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Collaboration with projects personnel and Managers in the preparation of their procurement plan;

• Collaboration in the implementation of a procurement management system in respect of planning, awarding, administering and monitoring of all matters related to procurement for the given geographical area / project activity.

3. Requisitions/procurement and sourcing 

Supervises the office’s or team’s  requisitions/procurement and sourcing support processes, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provision of proposals to requesting entity on modes for providing goods, works and services, including procurement deadlines for each stage;

• Review of requisitions for completeness;

4. Bidding and tendering 

Supervises team/personnel providing the following support services to bidding and tendering processes, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation of shortlists of suitable contractors/suppliers for purchases of value over designated amounts for approval of designated officer;

• Preparation and issuance of EOI, RFQ, ITB, RFP or other tender documents as required, ensuring their conformity with UNOPS approved templates or seeking Legal clearance in case of required adjustments;

5. Contract administration

Ensures team provision of support to efficient contract administration, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Follow-up on signing of contracts by vendors;

• Obligation of funds in Enterprise system and obtaining of appropriate signatures for approval;

6. Team Management

• Facilitates 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.

• Provides oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

7. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organizes, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on procurement

• Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in procurement

a.  Education:

• Completion of secondary school is required. 

• First University Degree in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, or related areas is desirable but not required. 

• Relevant certification in procurement and supply chain management (CIPS or similar) is a distinct advantage.

***Please upload your academic diplomas or academic certifications to your application***
b. Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience (or less based on academic merits) in providing procurement support services in national and/or international public or corporate organizations.

• Supervisory experience of personnel in procurement support services is desirable

• Experience with infrastructure bidding processes is desirable.

• Experience in rule of law infrastructure is an asset.

• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders in developing countries is desirable.

• Knowledge of UN/UNOPS Procurement Rules and Regulations is distinct advantage.

c. Languages:

• Fluency in written, reading and oral English is required

• Fluency in Dutch is an asset

• Fluency in Spanish is an asset.