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Procurement Associate

Pristina

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Pristina
  • Grade: Administrative support - NPSA-7, National Personnel Services Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Administrative support
    • Procurement
  • Closing Date: 2024-11-14

Background

 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

UNDP and the Municipality of Pristina have partnered on the “Modernizing Education through Innovation and Heritage” (METIAH) project.  The project aligns with Kosovo’s development strategy, which emphasizes cultural heritage preservation, sustainable economic growth, and social inclusion. The planned interventions support these priorities by creating the conditions for modern, multifunctional spaces that promote cultural activities, tourism, education through arts and digital tools, and community engagement. The project aims to support regional tourism and cultural exchange, contributing to broader regional development objectives. The project also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable; SDG 4:Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and employment; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by empowering and promoting social, economic, and political inclusion, and SDG 16: Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Procurement Associate is a core member of the project staffing structure, responsible for procurement and contractual support of the project. Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and close cooperation with UNDP Operations Associate, the Procurement Associate will execute duties and responsibilities outlined below in line with the prevailing UNDP rules and procedures as well as with due compliance with the UNDP internal control framework.

Provide procurement support to project implementation, ensuring full operational and quality of business processes

  • Ensures that procurement business processes are in line with the UNDP Procurement and Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures and the UNDP Internal Control Framework;
  • Provide direct support to the procurement processes including support to the preparation of solicitation documents, tender evaluation and minutes taking/writing;
  • Support the market research to identification potential qualified bidders/offerors for the project;
  • Support management of contracts with companies (consultancies, works and supply of goods) and individuals (consultancy and other services). Organize a system of tracking contract implementation and ensure that project management is timely alerted on the key milestones (e.g., submission and payment deadlines), and possible deviations of the original contract schedules. Prepare and necessary documentation for the possible extension of contract (cost and non-cost);
  • Prepare Project Procurement Plan and keep it updated;
  • Assist in preparation of project work-plans through providing support in data collection, systematization and analysis of information, inter-action with institutions in data collection;
  • Supports project manager in monitoring delivery of project outputs;
  • Provides support to organizing and holding the meetings, including the preparation and dissemination of information and follow-up activities;
  • Assists in preparation of interview minutes and requests for contract;
  • Maintains the inventory of project assets/equipment and project correspondence and files;
  • Collects data and all relevant information to effectively contribute to measurable review of results and longer-term programme effects, as per the programme M&E plan and logical framework.

Facilitate knowledge sharing within the project

  • Participate in the training for the operations/project staff on administration and other relevant topics;
  • Keep track of the changes of UNDP procedures and provide timely advice to the Project Manager and other project staff on what are the applicable procedures to fulfilling the project objectives.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS

  • Effective and timely fulfillment of all financial steps by ensuring due diligence and respecting the UNDP rules and regulations;
  • Effective fulfillment of administrative and organizational requirements for the projects;
  • High quality maintenance of files and records and efficient response to queries.

 

Institutional Arrangement

The Procurement Associate will report to the Project Manager of the project “Modernizing Education through Innovation and Heritage”. The Procurement Associate will be located in Pristina with no required travel by the project.
 

Competencies

Core Competencies
  • Achieve Results:             
    • LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
  • Think Innovatively:        
    • LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. 
  • Learn Continuously:     
    • LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
  • Adapt with Agility:          
    • LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
  • Act with Determination:              
    • LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
  • Engage and Partner:      
    • LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion:               
    • LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination. 
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
  • Stakeholder Management:          
    • Ability to work with incomplete information and balance competing interests to create value for all stakeholders. 
  • Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:
    • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers' needs. · Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy · Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests · Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
  •  Communication:
    • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. · Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
  • Procurement Management:
    • The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.
  • Sourcing:             
    • Ability to find, evaluate and engage suppliers of goods and services.
  • Gender:                
    • Gender Equality Strategy.
Required Skills and Experience

 
Education:
  • Secondary education is required.
  • Bachelor´s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related will be  given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. 
  • CIPS level 3 is a requirement for this position. If certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should  be obtained within one year. 
Experience:
  • Minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or; 
  • 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in procurement, administrative finance or project implementation;

Required Skills:

  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Desired Skills:

  • Knowledge of procurement principles and methods is an asset; 
  • Experience in project procurement will be considered a strong asset;
  • Experience in projects dealing with environment protection is an asset;
  • Experience with procurement and advance administrative with international organizations and/or UNDP shall be considered an asset.

Required Language:

  • Fluency in English and Albanian or Serbian is required.
 
Disclaimer
 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters 
 
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. 
 
Non-discrimination 
 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.   
 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.  
 
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