Procurement and Contracts Management Specialist

Background Information - PSC

Peace and Security Cluster The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients. The Director is responsible for administering and providing oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) South Sudan

The Mine Action Office in South Sudan is based in Juba and it supports the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as well as the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) in coordinating Mine Action activities in South Sudan. The program has been coordinating and providing quality assurance (QA) of all humanitarian mine action activities throughout South Sudan since 2004. UNMAS South Sudan’s’ current operations focus on hazardous area surveys, landmine and ERW clearance and destruction, route verification and clearance, emergency mitigation measures for improperly stored small arms and ammunition (SAA) (as required), Explosive Ordnance Risk Education for UN personnel, humanitarian partners and vulnerable groups, and data management.

In addition to responsibility for the deliverables of the 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.

Maintaining the highest degree of personal and professional ethics, the Procurement and Contracts Management Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach.

The Procurement and Contracts Management Specialist works in close collaboration with the programme focal-points/colleagues and with UNOPS HQ and PSC personnel, particularly with the Procurement Group (PG) and PROT, as well as the Government officials, to successfully deliver procurement services.

Appropriate procurement modalities and instruments applied (e-sourcing, procurement and Rosters of Suppliers) based on individual case requirements, utilizing expert knowledge of procurement policies and instruments.

Creation, implementation and oversight of proper monitoring and control of procurement processes including RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, evaluation, negotiation of contracts including Purchase Orders in full compliance with UNOPS Procurement rules and regulations.

Preparation/review of solicitation documents, requests for awards and submissions to Contract and Property Committees (CPCs)

Contracts and contractors optimally managed through supplier and contract performance management against agreed benchmarks and through agreed reporting mechanisms.

Develop a management plan for all UNOPS mine action contracts in country including, but not limited to, verification of insurance and goods procured, evaluation of subcontractor’s personnel qualifications, monitoring delivery of contractual terms, certification of reports and payments, and issue of contract amendments, verification of services delivered against contractual requirements, alignment of specifications and standards.

Implementation of internal control systems and a quality plan for each contract to ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions; identify solutions to conflicts/problems arising in case of poor performance or non-compliance with contractual obligations.

Ensure timely costs recovery from contractors for cash flow management purposes.

Convene meetings with contractors when necessary for negotiations; for the identification and early resolution of potential disputes.

Elaboration of comments regarding project audit reports and implementing remedial actions, when necessary. 3. Ensure introduction and implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools focusing on achievement of the following results:

Creation, development and management of rosters of suppliers,quality and performance measurement mechanisms.

Ensures that the e-sourcing tools are used in accordance with agreed 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 recruitment, 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 personnel on Procurement-related topics.

Lead and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for procurement personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, procurement practice information and best practice benchmarking.

Oversee team’s contributions to Procurement knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in procurement management.

Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

Advanced Degree in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field.

Relevant professional experience is defined as experience in procurement or contracts management or supply chain.

Demonstrated professional experience at the international level or in combination with experience at the national level, in advising on, implementing policies and procedures to deliver a range of complex procurement programmes and services is desired.

Chartered Institute of Supply and Management (CIPS) or similar international Certification is desired.

Fluency in English (speaking, writing and reading) is required.

Knowledge of any other UN official languages is an asset.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: IICA-2/ICSC-10
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and project duration.

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. 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.