Procurement Advisor

Chisinau

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Chisinau
Grade:
Occupational Groups:
- Procurement
Closing Date: Closed

Job categories Procurement

Vacancy code VA/2025/B5116/30056

Level ICS-11

Department/office ECR, UAMCO, Ukraine MCO

Duty station Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Contract type International ICA

Contract level IICA-3

Duration Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance

Application period 18-Apr-2025 to 04-May-2025

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

Functions and Key Results Expected:

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 UAMCO, and where necessary, other country offices within the ECR, , 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 UAMCO and ECR in the formulation of new initiatives and projects related to procurement
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 UAMCO and Peace & Security Cluster (PSC) procurement teams and services

2. Procurement Portfolio Planning, Delivery and Performance

Take responsibility for the UAMCO Procurement project portfolio oversight as delegated by the Head of Programme
Mentor and assist Procurement Project Managers in 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 UAMCO’s procurement activities with UNOPS policies and strategies by designing and operationalizing a client-oriented procurement management system for UAMCO to monitor and control the implementation of procurement plans and procurement processes conducted by UAMCO 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 processesand 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 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 UAMCO: 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 UAMCO (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;
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.
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.
Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.
Create, foster, and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards, and commitments.

7. Knowledge Management and Innovation

Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
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.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Procurement Advisor directly affects the overall efficiency of the region and specific project initiatives, in regard to procurement management, impacting the timely and effective implementation of the respective programmes and the business unit’s operations.

Timely, market-aware, and accountable delivery of services, ensures business unit performance, efficiency, and client satisfaction, which promotes the image and credibility of the team and business unit as an effective service provider in project services and management.

This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the given geographical area.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education:

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.

b. Work 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 ECR 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

c. Language Requirements:

Full working knowledge of English is essential.
Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

This vacancy is now closed.