Procurement Advisor

Background Information - Job-specific

On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation launched a full-scale invasion of 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.

As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, humanitarian needs remain critical. The ongoing conflict continues to devastate civilian lives and infrastructure, causing large-scale displacement and destruction. In 2025, 12.7 million people – 36 per cent of the population – require humanitarian assistance.Relentless attacks in the eastern, southern and northeastern front-line regions have intensified. Damage to essential infrastructure remains widespread. This devastation has compounded vulnerabilities across the country, especially in areas that have endured years of hostilities.

Humanitarian needs across Ukraine continue to deepen as intensified attacks on populated areas result in increased civilian casualties and widespread damage to critical civilian infrastructure—particularly in front-line areas.

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.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Procurement Advisor reports directly to the Head of Support Services, with a secondary reporting line to the Head of Programmes, ensuring alignment with strategic procurement goals. S/he is responsible for the management and oversight of all Procurement services and support to the portfolio of all projects with portfolio components in UEMCO (100%). The Procurement Advisor ensures the proactive and timely planning and securing of resources to ensure that the team has the required and adequate personnel and capabilities to deliver responsive, compliant, efficient and quality Procurement services to the functions and client projects within UEMCO as well as to other UNOPS entities that receive support from the UEMCO Support Services Unit (SSU).

S/he ensures consistency in the delivery of Procurement services in all countries under UEMCO and to all recipients of UEMCO Procurement support, ensuring development and implementation of strategic and effective procurement services reflecting international public procurement best practices and compliance with UNOPS procurement policy, rules, regulations and procedures which enable appropriate risk management and obtain the best value for money for the acquisition of goods, services and the contracting of works.

S/he 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, including their application to the appropriate situations. Leveraging such deep understanding and expertise, the Procurement Advisor anticipates challenges, systematically identifies risks, understands the operating context and the contexts of requests received, and leads the identification and implementation of effective solutions. S/he is also responsible for ensuring Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) considerations are mainstreamed in all procurement processes, with guidance and support from UEMCO, regional and global GEDI experts.

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.

The Procurement Advisor contributes to strategic procurement advisory, oversight, tailored solutions, and effective risk management by preparing briefing materials and participating in relevant meetings with stakeholders and clients.

Maintaining the highest degree of personal and professional ethics, the Procurement Advisor contributes to a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in UEMCO and the wider ECR. The Procurement Advisor should maintain strict independence from political or client pressure and operate solely within UNOPS rules and regulations.

The Procurement Advisor works in close collaboration with the key internal stakeholder groups and functions across UEMCO, ECR, Global Portfolios Office (GPO), Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) and HQ, including the Procurement Group (PG) to successfully deliver procurement services,, particularly with the Procurement Group (PG) to successfully deliver procurement services.

The role is based in Moldova, with frequent travel to Ukraine and Poland to ensure that procurement oversight and advisory services are effectively implemented across UEMCO.

Procurement support and strategic services

Procurement Portfolio Planning, Delivery and Performance

Management of procurement processes

Development and Implementation of procurement strategies

Implementation of sourcing strategy, Quality Assurance, and e-procurement tools

Personnel management

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing within the project and within UNOPS

1. Procurement support and strategic services

Support UEMCO on opportunities for expanding UNOPS's procurement portfolio as well as maximizing value for clients by providing institutional and industry knowledge of procurement services with clients.

Provide high-level advisory support to project teams, government counterparts, and donor agencies to ensure adherence to procurement best practices, compliance with international standards, and value-for-money principles

Contribute towards the development and delivery of Procurement Advisory services.

Provide expert support to business developers in UEMCO in the formulation of new initiatives and projects related to procurement; develop procurement frameworks that support strategic financing and donor engagement

Contribute towards the assessments of country Procurement capacity gaps, including specific focus on gender, diversity and inclusion

Review, analyze, and streamline locally prescribed processes, procedures, and tools to ensure high efficiency and cost-effectiveness

Review and improve synergies between UEMCO and Peace & Security Cluster (PSC) procurement teams and services

2. Procurement Portfolio Planning, Delivery and Performance

Take responsibility for the UEMCO Procurement project portfolio oversight as delegated by the Head of Programme

Mentor and assist Project Managers in procurement planning, execution, and delivery of allocated projects

Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the Procurement portfolio of projects according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations

Establish and execute the Procurement portfolio of project implementation plans in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards, and results expected to ensure timely and client-oriented services.

3. Procurement Process Management and Service Provision

Oversight, technical supervision, guidance, and mentoring of the procurement business stream’s operations and personnel;

Provide interpretation of procurement policies and guide personnel on the appropriate application of procurement policies and procedures in their daily work;

Ensure full compliance of UEMCO’s procurement activities with UNOPS policies and strategies by designing and operationalizing a client-oriented procurement management system for UEMCO to monitor and control the implementation of procurement plans and procurement processes conducted by UEMCO procurement personnel;

Manage the process of periodic (annual, semi-annual, and quarterly) procurement planning for the projects and oversee their implementation ensuring effectively-functioning processes to avoid costly delays and lost opportunities for the projects. Contribute to the preparation of realistic procurement plans and the development of appropriate procurement strategies

Contribute to the identification of procurement needs and timelines at the project development stage

Assist in the preparation of technical specifications, terms of references, and scope of works;

Assist in the provision of cost estimations for required goods/services/works

Responsible for the quality of solicitation documents

Guide personnel throughout the solicitation, evaluation, and submission for award processes whenever required

Provide oversight over various contract management processes and take a lead in dispute resolution issues if any

Review and clear procurement documentation requiring Procurement Authority (PA) approval, including solicitation documents, shortlists, requests for award, submissions to the HQCPC, contracts, and agreements, ensuring compliance with UNOPS procurement policies and procedures.

Ensure timely coordination and follow-up with the designated PA to obtain all required clearances and approvals.

Provide quality assurance oversight to ensure all procurement actions submitted for approval are complete, compliant, and ready for endorsement by the appropriate level of authority.

Pursue and obtain designation as a UNOPS Procurement Reviewer in line with organizational requirements, to enable effective support in reviewing and clearing procurement processes.

4. Procurement & Contracting Strategies for Goods, Services and Works

Engage with key stakeholders to assess procurement risks, develop mitigation measures, and ensure procurement processes are transparent, competitive, and aligned with UNOPS goals.

Coordinate with relevant personnel, including relevant project/programme managers, GEDI advisors and clients of the procurement business stream, to understand their needs and plans.

Conduct reviews of current procurement processes and provide reports and briefs on relevant issues, as well as project and work plans to remedy identified issues and bring forth improvements.

Support the implementation of required strategic procurement activities in UEMCO: establish Long Term Agreements and Blanket Purchase Agreements for common user items and services in the MCO and develop sourcing strategies specific to local context for the countries under UEMCO (supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management, performance measurement, etc.);

Provide procurement strategy advice to Infrastructure Project Managers on the packaging of construction tenders, and oversee the construction tendering process to ensure that processes are completed within reasonable time within the project timelines;

With guidance and support from the UEMCO, regional and global GEDI experts ensure Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) considerations are mainstreamed in all procurement processes, as appropriate.

Oversee and support the execution of project-specific procurement processes, including: formulation of procurement strategies tailored to project objectives; preparation of solicitation documents (ITBs, RFPs, RFQs), including defining appropriate evaluation criteria; coordination of bid/proposal evaluations in accordance with UNOPS procurement rules; facilitation of pre-award negotiations with recommended suppliers or contractors; preparation and submission of procurement cases to relevant UNOPS review bodies (e.g., CPC); issuance of Purchase Orders and Contracts within oneUNOPS and, where required, through offline processes.

Review unsuccessful procurement processes conducted by procurement personnel. Undertake remedial actions when and where possible to positively conclude the process.

Lead procurement design in early-stage tenders for complex infrastructure projects

Work on integrating sustainable procurement and innovation within the procurement strategy

5. Implementation of sourcing strategy, Quality Assurance, and e-procurement tools

Provide expert support on quality assurance for procurement-related documentation, processes and actions

Provide expert support on quality assurance of products being procured.

Create, develop and manage rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, and quality and performance measurement mechanisms.

Ensure that e-sourcing tools are used in accordance with PG goals and standards

6. Team Management

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

Capacity build, support and empower the procurement team and colleagues in UEMCO.

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

7. Knowledge Management and Innovation

Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results, including policies related to sustainable procurement, GEDI, GESI and PSEAH.

Operationalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.

Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environments.

Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme.

An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, International Development, Finance, Business/Public Administration, Public Policy, Accounting or other is required. A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in combination with 2 additional years of progressively relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Equivalent certification in Supply Chain Management, Procurement and Supply, Logistics or similar field in combination of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

An Accredited Level III Certificate in Procurement from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing or equivalent is an asset.

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

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, supply chain management, or contract management, including at least:

Experience leading or advising on large-scale, complex procurement operations, ideally in post-conflict or fragile settings.

Experience working with international procurement frameworks, including UN/UNOPS policies, World Bank, EU, or other public procurement regulations.

Experience in training, mentoring, and capacity-building for national staff and partners is an asset.

Experience in procurement for infrastructure projects is required

Knowledge of procurement within the context of Ukraine, Moldova and/or Poland is highly valued

Experience managing a large team (over 5 people) in multiple locations is desired

Experience working with ERP systems and Google Suite applications is desirable. Language requirements:

Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

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.

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.