Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Background Information - Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Background Information - Job-specific

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Procurement Specialist, Afghanistan Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project (CRLP), the Procurement Officer is responsible for effective delivery and implementation of strategic and effective procurement and contract management of technically complex goods, services and works under CRLP, reflecting the best practices in international public procurement, compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations, procurement policy, rules, regulations and procedures, ensuring 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 spectrum of complex issues related to procurement. His/her work is focused in procurement processes including all steps of the procurement process.  

The Procurement Officer shall maintain the highest degree of personal and professional ethics, promote a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach within the project.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Implementation of transactional procurement

2. Management of procurement processes

3. Implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools

4. Team Management

5. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. In close cooperation with the Procurement Specialist, the Procurement Officer will be central on issues related to procurement activities, implements operational strategies and manages procurement, contract, and sourcing transactions, actions and processes for goods, services, and works, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of assigned procurement activities with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies; internal controls and client orientation.  

• Implementation of 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. Manages and guides procurement processes for a select group of technically complex goods, services and works within the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Timely and duly prepared procurement plans for projects and monitoring of their implementation.

• Guidelines followed on embedding sustainability along the procurement process.

• Organization of EPP-RFQ, 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 Programme and Project Team on procurement related issues.

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

3. Implements 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 and other ERP systems in accordance with UNOPS Procurement Groups’ 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 by team members with existing policies and best practices.

5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for the project team 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 procurement.

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

IV. Impact of Results 

The key results directly affect the overall efficiency of the project activities by providing procurement management services impacting the timely availability of effective goods, services and works contracts for the project. Timely, market-aware, and accountable delivery of goods, services and works contracts contribute to project performance, efficiency and client satisfaction, which promote the image and credibility of the project. This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: 
 

• Advance University degree preferably in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related fields is required.

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent  in combination with two (2) years experience in procurement management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

• For those 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.

Experience: 
 

• A minimum of two (2) years professional experience in public procurement.  

• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders in developing and developed countries.

• Experience in the use of Google Suite packages is desirable.

• Some experience in UN system organizations, preferably in a developing country, is desirable.

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

Language Requirements: 
 

• Full knowledge of the working language is essential: English

• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://jobs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28811