CHIEF OF SECTION, CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT

This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

The Chief of Section, Contracts Management reports to the Director of Mission Support and leads the effective implementation of service and supply contracts, with the aim of achieving probity and proper performance of obligations. The position, manages contracts in a proactive manner by planning in anticipation of potential risks and by preventing the escalation of minor disputes. This implies being proactive in planning ahead for new contracts/extensions, having template SOWs ready, keeping procurement team well-briefed of impending procurement actions, proactively planning for implementation before contract signing, and addressing implementation issues such as changes, claims and disputes.

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Section, Contract Management will be responsible for the following duties:

•Development and implementation of operational plans, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), initiatives and projects relating to contract compliance and performance management.
•Provides measurable inputs on budget and acquisition planning.
•Supports the procurement process including providing input to statement of works/requirements, Local Committee on Contracts (LCC) presentations, development of technical evaluation criteria, assistance with evaluation of vendor proposals and guidance during contract formulation, drafting and negotiation.
•Responsible to develop quality assurance plans providing a systematic, structured method to evaluate services and products.
•Oversees contract close out process including identifying and disseminating best practices and lessons learned,
as well as performing contractor assessment.
•Ensures the enforcement of UN contracts in consultation with the Supply Section, Contract Compliance and Performance Management Unit at UN headquarters, as appropriate. Liaises with other departments, including handling of claims and disputes, demanding specific performance, claiming against warranties, and other contractual remedies.
•Works towards resolution within terms and conditions of the contract of conflicts/performance issues arising in cases of poor performance or non-compliance with contractual obligations.
•Drafts relevant audit responses. Maintains electronic and hardcopy files and records to ensure proper accountability.
•Supervises and monitors performance indicators for UN personnel within the Contract Management Section.
•Using Umoja data to monitor NTE consumption for existing contracts, Contract validity periods and expiry dates, monitors the prerequisites for timely invoice processing and ensures that Shopping Charts are created in Umoja by responsible user (timely payment implies proper receipt of Prompt Payments Discounts /PPD/);
•Using Umoja Business Intelligence (BI), monitors of NTE and contract expiry terms in order to timely notify Procurement and SAUs on possible development of Statements of Work (SOWs), expected solicitations or contract extensions, monitoring Requisitions Status (in order to avoid delays in payments and loss of the Prompt Payment Discount);
•Undertakes other duties as required.

Professionalism:
Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and Organizing :
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.

Communication:
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Managing Performance :
Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

Judgement/Decision-making :
Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in administration, budget, finance, contracts management or related field. Sound knowledge of the challenges of peacekeeping and of UN rules and procedures is desirable. United Nations experience - particularly with a United Nations peacekeeping operation and/or professional experience with an UN agency in the field - is highly desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English and French, (both oral and written) is required;

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.