Senior Procurement Officer (2 posts)

Vacancy Announcement

Senior Procurement Officer, P-4, HQ Amman

(2 posts)

Deadline for Applications

30 May 2018

(16 May 2018 for internal applicants)

Duration

2 years, with the possibility of further extension

Vacancy Announcement Number

18-HQ-AM-19

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified women.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed professionals wishing to make a change.

UNRWA’s strategic objectives

The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. In line with this mission, the Agency works towards five strategic outcomes: (a) Palestine refugee rights under international law are protected and promoted; (b) Palestine refugee health is protected and disease burden is reduced; (c) school-age children complete quality, equitable and inclusive basic education; (d) Palestine refugee capabilities are strengthened for increased livelihood opportunities; and (e) Palestine refugees are able to meet their basic human needs of food, shelter and environmental health. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions.

Do you want to make a lasting difference? 

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. In this role, you will be responsible for procurement related activities in support of UNRWA’s five field operations (Jordan, Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon and Syria) to foster the human development of Palestine refugees.

The main responsibilities include:

•         Serving as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for the procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities. Planning, developing and managing the various procurement and contractual aspects of projects of diverse services and commodities (e.g. medicines, health related equipment, food commodities, construction and maintenance services, insurance services, information technology, vehicles, etc.);

•         Establishing approaches for negotiation of contracts and conducting or coordinating all phases of negotiations with all concerned parties, including the negotiation of disputes arising from contracts. Developing new strategic approaches to contracts as well as new methods for their application based on market research and best practices. Formulating strategies and designing innovative solutions to resolve issues/conflicts arising from complex procurement projects;

•         Developing and preparing complex contracts, issuing tender invitations, evaluating responses to tender and making recommendations for finalization of purchases and award of contracts; signing procurement orders up to the authorized limit and, in case the amount exceeds the authorized signature authority, preparing submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official;

•         Providing technical advice on procurement activities to headquarters and fields staff to ensure efficient use of resources throughout the phases of the procurement cycle. Organizing internal procurement training and providing technical direction and guidance to more junior Procurement staff;

•         Monitoring adherence to contractual agreements, recommending amendments and extensions of contracts, and advising concerned stakeholders on their contractual rights and obligations in consultation with the department of legal affairs;

•         Preparing a variety of complex procurement-related documents, correspondences and reports to internal and external stakeholders, including responses to audit observations; analyzing the existing procurement practices and procedures and contributing to the development of institutional procurement policies and procedures;

•         Controlling and overseeing the maintenance of contract management documentation, information and records, contracts, tenders and bids, suppliers and claims information ensuring their accuracy and confidentiality at all times.

Conditions of service 

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $71,332 net tax free with post adjustment of 46.1% (subject to change without notice). All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

•  Dependency allowances

•  Rental subsidy

•  Education grant for children

•  Home leave travel

•  6 weeks (30 working days) annual leave

•  Pension fund entitlements under the

    UN Joint Staff Pension Fund

•  International health insurance; optional

    life insurance

•  Disability protection

To qualify for this position, you will need:

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in business administration, public administration, supply chain, law or a related field; a first level university degree with a relevant combination of experience in a related area may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree;

Work

experience

A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contract management, supply chain or administration in the public or private sector, of which at least five years should be directly related to first-hand procurement preferably at the international level and two years at international level outside your home country;

Procurement experience in the provision of medicines and/or in construction projects. Knowledge of and skills in the use of procurement related functions in ERP and other procurement related information management systems;

Language(s)

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Additional information

The incumbent will be required to travel in the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East.

You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies:

•         Leading and Supervising

•         Deciding and Initiating Action

•         Formulating Strategies and Concepts

•         Planning and Organizing

•         Relating and Networking

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews:

      https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

How to apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.

General information

UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality at all times. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

The retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service in the UN Common System after 1 January 1990 is 62 and 65 after 1 January 2014. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

Date of issue: 2 May 2018 / LF