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
UNDP in Kazakhstan is contributing to the country’s development through the following programmatic priorities outlined in the Country Programme Document 2026-2030 (CPD): 1) addressing social vulnerabilities and inequalities, 2) effective and accountable institutions, 3) climate and disaster resilience and low-carbon growth, and 4) diversified and knowledge-based economic growth. The CPD is implemented by the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Kazakhstan, located primarily in Astana, with a limited presence in Almaty and other project-based locations.
The CO is structured into Programme, Management & Program Support, and Operations units, with the latter being responsible for strategic administrative and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, financial management and services and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and ensuring consistency with UNDP rules and regulations.
UNDP Kazakhstan Operations team consists of HR, Finance, Procurement, Administration and ICT units, complemented by 2 Common Premises management teams and provides professional and support services to all UNDP projects, resident and non-resident agencies in the areas listed above. .
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.
The Procurement Analyst will work under the strategic guidance and direct supervision of the DRRand supervises CO Procurement Unit team and is responsible for effective delivery of procurement services to obtain the best value for money. S/he analyzes and interprets procurement results and provides solutions to complex procurement issues. The Procurement Analyst promotes a collaborative and client-centric, quality and results-oriented approach in the Unit and the Country Office.
The Procurement Analyst works in close collaboration with Operations, Programme and project teams in the Country Office, Region, and UNDP HQ as well as with vendors and Government officials, to successfully deliver procurement services, and provide advisory support.
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
1- Provide analytical inputs to the elaboration and implementation of innovative and sustainable procurement strategies and policies that are in alignment with principles of fairness, integrity and transparency to achieve best value for money.
- Ensure full compliance of all procurement activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and strategic priorities. Establish and maintain agile internal controls to facilitate updates to UNDP’s client–centric procurement management system.
- Elaborate/establish internal procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to standardize processes and ensure consistency, map CO procurement business processes, and provide clear framework for procurement activities. Assist in managing and optimizing workflows in Procurement Unit in coordination with supervisor.
- Engage actively in collaborative discussions on procurement strategies and plans, offering insights and expertise to the projects, other stakeholders and donors Conduct analysis and develop innovative proposals on enhancing the CO contract strategy, sourcing strategy, supplier selection, quality management, cost optimization strategies, and continuous improvement in procurement processes in CO.
2- Support management of procurement processes for CO, projects, and other UN Agencies.
- Strategically assess data as part of preparation of procurement plans for the office and projects, ensuring alignment with UNDP Kazakhstan’s objectives.
- Oversee and report on the implementation of the CO’s procurement plans to ensure the effective allocation of resources, including but not limited to consolidation of procurement plans, monitoring of implementation to ensure meeting the Project timelines and timely revision of plans.
- Monitor procurement activities in Quantum. Enhance the mechanisms of control for procurement processes that cover RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt and evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals, and negotiation of certain conditions of contract implementation (including payment terms) in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations. Conduct preliminary review of submissions to internal procurement review committees (RACP, ACP).
- Perform CAP secretary functions.
- Elaborate proposals on procurement process monitoring systems and mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in procurement and implement the internal control system that ensures purchase orders are duly prepared, validated, and corrected on a timely basis when there are errors or other problems.
- Verify and certify the solicitation documents.
- Implement streamlined procurement services and analyze new opportunities for joint procurement for UN agencies in alignment with ongoing UN reforms.
3- Implement a strategic sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools to find best values in the marketplace and align purchasing strategy to project and CO goals.
- Oversee development and maintenance of supplier rosters.
- Establish and refine the criteria for supplier selection and evaluation, incorporating the quality mechanisms and performance metrics.
- Develop Long-Term Agreements/Framework Agreements for more efficient category management.
4- Drive procurement knowledge building and knowledge sharing in CO, Region, UNDP and UN. Develop and implement efficient reporting mechanisms for UNDP Kazakhstan.
- Deliver procurement training for the operations and project staff, oversee training programme for vendors on e-procurement modules.
- Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in procurement.
- Make contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
- Participate in Operations Management Team (OMT) to share strategic insights on cross-functional areas and identify high-impact collaboration opportunities to optimizing efficiency and enhancing cost-effectiveness Design and implement forecast and procurement analysis, and contribute to identifying and addressing audit gaps and shortfalls.
- Conduct market analysis and adopt best business practices, integrating innovative and agile solutions where applicable
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise Procurement Unit team.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
- Achieve Results - LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
- Think Innovatively - LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
- Learn Continuously - LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning.
- Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
- Act with Determination - LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
- Engage and Partner - LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.
People Management competency- UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross Functional and technical competencies:
Procurement
- Strategic Sourcing
- Knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts, principles and methods, 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.
- Data Analysis
- Ability to extract, analyze and visualize procurement data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making.
- Stakeholder Management
- Ability to work with incomplete information and balance competing interests to create value for all stakeholders.
Business Management
- Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
- Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers' needs.
- Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
- Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests.
- Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
- Risk Management
- Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.
- Operations Management
- Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organization’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Finance, or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree), in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- CIPS level 3 is a requirement for this position. If certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year.
Experience:
- Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
- Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in public sector procurement management.
Required skills:
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
Desired skills:
- Practical experience in undertaking complex procurement processes (RFQ/RFP) is desirable.
- Practical experience in setting and managing long term agreements (LTAs) and rosters is desirable.
- Experience in advising project personnel on various UNDP project procurement matters is a distinct advantage.
- Experience with the implementation of sustainable finance, private sector and multi-stakeholder partnerships related initiatives is an asset.
Languages:
- Fluency in English, Kazakh and/or Russian 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.
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