Contracts Specialist - NOC, Fixed Term Position, Lilongwe, Malawi (Open to Malawian Nationals Only)

Contracts Specialist - NOC, Fixed Term Position, Lilongwe, Malawi (Open to Malawian Nationals Only)

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

 Under the general supervision and direction of Supply and Procurement Manager and overall guidance of Chief of Operations Manager, the Contracts Specialist will lead and support planning, development and execution of an effective and efficient contracting of goods and services for programme and operational activities for the Country Office in compliance with UNICEF procurement and contract processes; and rules and regulations.

Key Expected Results 

The incumbent will lead the implementation, management, processes and execution of contracting activities for the Country Office including development of tender/Invitation to Bid (ITB) documents and issuance; tabulations and evaluation and review processes leading to conclusion of efficient and cost effective contract awards.

The incumbent will also manage activities for market survey for potential services providers from commercial sectors and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), assessment of capacities and build up data base; and maintain strong relationships with all relevant service providers to enable UNICEF to maximize value of delivered services and facilities.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks 

Oversight systems, procedures, bids and evaluations related to contracts and agreements for all good and services contracts, including construction works; manage daily activities of the contracts, scope of work, budget and payment schedules, Local Procurement Authorization, and assembly of the final contract package for each project in compliance with the UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations.

Effectively manage contracts, i.e. processing of specifications; attend bid openings and post bid evaluation meetings; review of bid documents including analyses of Bills of Quantities (BOQ), technical and financial proposals; compile and analyze submitted bid data; provide technical advice on management of contractual rights and obligations and maintains historical data and information. 

In liaison with concerned budget owner, effectively manage contracts, i.e. analysis BOQ, cost estimates, review of bid documents, attend bid openings and post bid evaluation meetings. Process specifications, progress, and other reports; advises management of contractual rights and obligations; compiles and analyzes data; and maintains historical information including local supplier database.

Provide technical advice to Supply and Procurement Management on Contract Review Committee (CRC) submissions for award of contracts and defend such submissions.

Prepare contract documents that ensure completeness, appropriateness and that protect best interest of the organization by ensuring proper contracting processes and fulfillment in accordance with organizational policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications. Monitors production and assembly of the final contract package for each service provider in compliance with the UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations, Supply Manual and other applicable and sound procurement contract procedures.

Prepare contracts and Long Term Agreements in VISION for approved service providers and manage contractual activities up to the stage of delivery stage as per contractual terms and conditions.

Act as focal point for maintaining regular updates and reporting of statistical reports relating to contract services and Long Term Agreement (LTA) consumption.

Interact and follow up with programme and operations sections on issues related to contractual management and timely delivery of goods and services including KPI achievement, and evaluate service providers with respect to delivery performance, products, programme/commercial acceptability. Identify opportunities, barriers, successes, problems and courses of actions to address identified challenges.

Provide technical advice/guidance to programme and operations staff on contractual management.

Contribute to capacity building efforts of internal parties to transmit to the Supply and Logistics Section preparing complete and coherent purchase requisitions.

Undertake End-User Monitoring missions with programmes sections to assess the use of supplies/services provided by UNICEF.

Maintain complete and updated filing system and records for all procurement activities

 Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education 

Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Management, International Economics, Contract/commercial Law or related field is an asset.

A first level university degree in Business Administration, Management, International Economics, Contract/commercial Law or related field with additional three years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience 

Five years of relevant professional work experience.

Work experience in supply, purchasing, contracting management and/or other related fields. Experience in both national and international organizations is an asset.

Work experience in emergencies/background in Emergency programme is an asset.

 Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

Technical Knowledge  

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.