CHIEF OF SECTION, PROCUREMENT

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Corporate Services Division is the guardian of UNEP's corporate interest, mitigating its exposure to risk and supporting the organization with management tools, plans and related capacity building. It oversees UNEP's efficient and effective management, in line with UNEP's accountability requirements, rules, regulations and UN core values. This post is located in UNEP's Procurement & Partnerships Unit (PPU), Corporate Services Division (CSD) at the Nairobi duty station. The PPU provides seamless integration in operational areas which support and enhance programme delivery on behalf of Corporate Services Division (CSD). Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Responsibilities• Plans, develops and manages all procurement activities in support of UNEP’s programme of work, including for its duty stations away from Nairobi headquarters as required. • Serves as senior procurement expert and advisor with responsibility for the global procurement requirements of UNEP of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with highly complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities. • Directs, manages and conducts the holistic end-to-end phase of acquisition process, i.e. procurement planning, solicitation, negotiation, and contract establishment and administration preparation of submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official, in close collaboration with UNON procurement service and any applicable service providers. • Provides technical advice on procurement activities to senior officials and divisional focal points during all phases of the procurement cycle, including appropriate strategy/approach and ensures implementation in line with the established regulations, rules, and procedures, including authorization for applicable exceptions that best serve the institutional interests. • Provides policy guidance to the Director of the Corporate Services Division, on entity specific implementation of corporate strategies and inter-offices policies and procedures, in relation to procurement and related functions such as contracting, logistics and/or supply chain management. • Analyzes and evaluates procurement requests and ensures appropriateness of technical specifications. • Leads new tactical approaches to contracts, as well as new methods for their application, based on market research. • Reviews and ensures the appropriateness of and maintains records of delegations of procurement authority across UNEP, including offices away from Nairobi, to ensure up-to-date and relevant delegations at all times, in close consultations with the UNHQ. • Oversees the delivery of periodic training and briefing sessions to Heads of offices / requisitioners and any relevant officials to whom procurement authority has been delegated so that they keep abreast of latest developments in procurement and have a solid understanding of processes to be followed and principles to be applied. • Represents UNEP at inter-agency meetings, seminars etc. on substantive-related issues. • Leads the implementation and operationalization of UNEP Partnership policy and procedures, to ensure the due diligence review to ensure robust monitoring and compliance to the established policy and procedures, with a focus on optimal balancing of process simplification and internal . • Conducts review and provide strategic advisory in risk assessments, due diligence review on the selection of Implementing partners, in particular for the procurement process and action taken. • Leads engagement and coordination to bring alignment in various assessment models and partners currently used in the organization. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision, fostering teamwork and communication among staff for capacity building. • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Performs other related duties as required. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and of all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for highly complex and technologically advanced goods and services. Knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex procurement and contract issues. Knowledge of quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity systems and ability to identify sources of supply, market trends and pricing. Ability to shape and influence agreements with requisitioning units and vendors. Ability to apply technical expertise to resolve a range of complex and/or sensitive issues/problems. Ability to develop procurement policies, procedures and new programmes. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, law or a related field. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Job - Specific QualificationProfessional certification, such as Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Diploma (CIPS Level 4) or other equivalent is required. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contracts management, and supply chain management in a multicultural institution, is required. At least five (5) years of experience handling direct procurement in an international setting, is required. Experience of establishing due diligence review framework and operationalizing the review of Implementing partners is required. Experience in leading the contractual negotiation and review efforts for the new frontier technology including legal review is required. Experience in organizational restructuring/process simplification projects, in particular on procurement policies and procedures is desirable. Experience in leading commercial negotiations for complex and high-value contracts of diverse portfolio in an international setting is desirable. .Experience in client service management reform initiatives is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: \"Fluency equals a rating of \"fluent\" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and \"Knowledge of\" equals a rating of \"confident\" in two of the four areas AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special NoticeAppointment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (\"FTA-limited\") in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of \"internal candidate\" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position subject to limitation will retain their current appointment status and will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. The requirement is not applicable when a person considered for appointment is serving or has previously served as an affiliated personnel (for example as a consultant, individual contractor, intern or gratis personnel) with a specialized agency or an Office, Fund or Programme such as UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP or UNOPS which is separately administered and funded from voluntary contributions. 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. When completing the Administrative Profile (AP), ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira \"Contact Us\" link. 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. 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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. 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