Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in about 170 countries and territories. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP is committed to helping the country through strengthened national and local capacities to carry out political, economic, and social reforms and promote development.
In the 2026–2030 programmatic period, UNDP BiH’s engagement is guided by the newly endorsed Country Programme Document, which focuses on advancing inclusive green growth and a just energy transition, strengthening human capital with particular attention to youth, women and vulnerable groups, and building more effective, accountable institutions while reinforcing social cohesion. These programme priorities are designed to accelerate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and are fully aligned with national development aspirations and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. UNDP’s work continues to be delivered through integrated, conflict sensitive, and innovative approaches that leverage digital solutions, promote gender equality and inclusion, and strengthen partnerships across all levels of government, civil society, the private sector and development partners to address systemic development challenges and ensure no one is left behind.
UNDP is striving to ensure its procurement function and practices are an integral part of UNDP’s competitive advantage as a development partner of choice. This requires placing more attention on strategically integrating procurement at the project design stage, stimulating innovation in specifications and technologies, and adopting more sustainable production and consumption practices that align with UNDPs sustainable development goals. Sustainable procurement means making sure products, services, and purchases are as sustainable as possible with the lowest environmental impact and most positive social results. In implementing UNDP strategic procurement priorities, Country offices will strive to use flexible methods for high-value/low-risk and timely delivery that meet the needs of its clients and key stakeholders.
Position Purpose
Under the guidance and supervision of the Procurement Analyst – Head of Procurement, the Procurement Assistant provides procurement support services ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. The Procurement Assistant promotes a client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach in the Unit.
The Procurement Assistant works in close collaboration with Operations, programme and project teams in the Country Office as well as other UN Agencies, to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
Support procurement processes for CO, projects, and other UN Agencies
- Provide inputs for preparation of procurement plans for the country office
- Analyze and prepare procurement requisitions, verifies, clarifies and ascertains adequacy of specifications and target dates
- Support procurement processes including preparation of RFQ, ITB or RFP documents, as well as Terms of References for Individual Contracts.
- Correspondence with suppliers regarding the provision of clarifications for questions raised by suppliers, receipt of quotations, bids and proposals.
- Conduct preliminary evaluation and analysis of offers (both technically and financially) and prepare recommendations for awards,
- Preparation, issuing, processing and closing Purchase Orders in and outside of ERP
- Follow up on the procurement delivery schedule.
- Maintain list of AML/CFT cleared suppliers
Contribute to implementation of sourcing strategy
- Create and update rosters of suppliers for specific areas.
- Conduct market research of potential suppliers
Acting as alternate CAP Secretary
- Schedule meetings and ensure confirmed availability of members for each scheduled meeting.
- Review submissions to ensure they are complete and sufficient for review.
- Request further information or clarifications as required by the members or chairperson.
- Prepare the committee review report (minutes of the meeting) and obtain its endorsement by members.
- Ensure proper records are kept in accordance with UNDP requirements
Support and Monitor the CO LTA procurement and contracts
- Assist in effective management of LTAs to secure beneficial contractual arrangements for UNDP.
- Drafting, processing and follow-up of LTAs (for works, services and goods), including leading procurement processes for joint UN procurements as per BOS.
- Maintain the LTA database on SharePoint
Provide procurement administrative support and support knowledge management
- Assist in effective management of procurement contracts, including Individual Contracts, to secure beneficial contractual arrangements for UNDP, full implementation and adherence to the contract conditions.
- Quality control of the buyers’ inputs in ERP
- Draft routine correspondence, memoranda and reports based on oral and written instructions, previous correspondence or other available information sources in accordance with standard office procedures.
- Prepare correspondence for the signature by the proper authorities.
- Maintain a proper filing system
- Support procurement training and knowledge sharing within the office
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
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: Appreciates/respects differences, aware of unconscious bias, confronts discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy
- Business Acumen
- Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
- Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks
Business Management
- 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
- Sourcing
- Ability to find, evaluate and engage suppliers of goods and services
- Procure-to-Pay
- Knowledge of purchase-to-pay cycles, concepts, principles and policies, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
- Contract management
- Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
- Stakeholder management
- Ability to work with incomplete information and balance competing interests to create value for all stakeholders.
- Procurement Management
- The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary education is required
- A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or equivalent will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
- CIPS level 2 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years (with secondary education) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant procurement and/or administrative experience at the national or international level is required.
- Experience in drafting tender documentation is required.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and experience in handling web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
- Experience in contract management and administration, including issuance and management of contracts and LTAs is desired.
- Experience in evaluation of offers including technical and financial evaluation is desired.
- Experience in conducting supplier market research and supplier management is desired.
- UN experience or in a similar organization would be an asset.
- Track records of cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability is desired.
- Demonstrated ability to treat all people fairly without favoritism is desired.
- Demonstrated ability to identify discrimination, address it, and maintain an enabling working environment based on fairness, respect and freedom from any forms of harassment and abuse is desired.
- Experience in understanding the language associated with gender, equity, inclusion, and diversity is desired.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required
- Fluency in any of the national languages (Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian) is required
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.