ACQUISITION PLANNING OFFICER

The United Nation Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.
The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.

This position is located in the United Nations in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations. The Acquisition Planning Officer usually reports directly to the Chief Acquisition Planning Officer of the Mission Support Component of the mission.

These positions are located in the United Nations Field Peacekeeping Operations, Special Political Missions, Service Centers and other field offices as applicable. The incumbent participates in planning, developing and managing the acquisition of various services and commodities (e.g. information technology and communication equipment, vehicles, medical equipment and supplies, food rations, fuel, construction and building maintenance materials, stationery and office supplies, furniture and fixtures, accommodation and office equipment etc.), in accordance with the Mission Acquisition Plan and in support of the mission mandate. She/he will monitor the overall supply chain plan and perform acquisition planning activities to ensure resources are used in an optimal way to meet client requirements.

Within delegated authority, the Acquisition Planning Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Prior to the budget formulation, liaises with technical units (former Self Accounting Units (SAUs) to prepare projected demand and to establish the mission's annual demand plan (i.e. draft acquisition plan);
• Consolidates budget projections and demand plans from technical units through review of stock holdings, consumption patterns, procurement cycle times, requirements and forecasts of internal and external customers; ·
• Liaises with UN Global Service Centre (UNGSC) and/or UN headquarters regarding the submission of the mission's demand plan as input for the consolidated global acquisition plan;
• Monitors mission requisitions of the assigned categories to ensure purchase requests are based on forecasted plans; Liaises with UNGSC and/or counterparts in other Missions on item availability prior to making decision to acquire new items either for replacement or additional requirement;
• Initiates actions leading to the implementation of the Mission Acquisition Plan, taking into account different sourcing options, including global and regional systems contracts, local market
and other conditions, logistics forecasting, inventory holdings, consumption patterns, supply schedules, and ongoing assessment and prioritization of operational supply chain requirements.
• Contributes to plan, develop and manage the acquisition process of various services and commodities (e.g. information technology and communication equipment, vehicles, medical equipment and supplies, food rations, fuel, construction and building maintenance materials, stationery and office supplies, furniture and fixtures, accommodation and office equipment etc.), including planning and coordination of transportation requirements and consolidation of inbound deliveries, service contracts requirements and maintenance plans of assigned services, taking into account the different procurement methods, lead times and sourcing options available;
• Contributes to the execution of internal controls over acquisition activities and support functions;
• Advises recipient entities and technical units periodically on the progress of acquisition activities and detailed status of implementation of the acquisition plan, including a full range of procurement and other supply chain issues encountered, providing them with support and guidance at all stages of the procurement cycle, and prepares the quarterly review for submission to UNGSC and the Department of Field Support (DFS) in headquarters;
• Meets regularly with internal stakeholders to review the Mission Acquisition Plan based on changing priorities and emergencies as related to the assigned materials/services groups to
ensure an efficient and cohesive approach to managing areas of mutual interest;
• Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including review of cost estimates from technical units, monitoring performance parameters and
critical indicators, and reporting on work programme performance;
• Drafts mission-level Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines and instructions governing the acquisition planning and requisitioning process;
• Contributes to the preparation of SOPs, guidelines and instructions governing the procurement process, including delivery and payment (Procure to Pay);
• Devises and maintains a computer-based system to track Mission-procured Contracts during their lifecycle allowing their timely extension as well as providing detailed statement of expenditures;
• Prepares integrated, timely and accurate reports to monitor and track all aspects of the Mission supply chain to ensure an uninterrupted supply of goods and services to meet operational requirements;
• Provides guidance and supervision to staff;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Core Competencies:

Professionalism:
-Demonstrated knowledge of and exposure to a substantive field of work in the areas of supply chain management, acquisition planning, warehousing, inventory management, distribution and procurement.
-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 & 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

Client Orientation:
-Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
-Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
-Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
-Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
-Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
-Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

High School Diploma (or equivalent) is required. Technical or vocational certificate in at least one of the following areas is required: logistics, supply chain management, business administration and procurement.

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain management, logistics, procurement, administration or related area is required. Three years of experience at the international level is required. Experience with MRP (Materials Requirements Planning) and/or ERP (Enterprise resource planning), e.g. SAP ECC (ERP Central Component), SRM (Supplier Relationship Management), or similar in support of scheduling, procurement, and/or logistics processes is desirable. Experience in providing logistics and supply chain support services in a conflict or post conflict environment is desirable. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first level university degree.

English and French are the working languages of the UN secretariat. For this vacancy, fluency (oral and written) in English or French is required. Working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage

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.