Head Policy & Compliance Monitoring

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Head of Policy and Compliance Monitoring Section reports to the Chief, Central Support Services Division

Responsibilities

Serves 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. Plans, develops and manages 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.);

Be responsible for the development, assessment and effective implementation of the Agency’s standard policies, operating procedures, manuals, instructions, guidelines related to procurement, supply chain, fleet management and general administration services to obtain Best Value for Money for the Organization. Ensures that methodologies/tools/documentation are established to ensure standardization and streamlining of procedures to gain into efficiencies and best serve internal clients, while maintaining strict adherence to financial rules and regulations;

Ensures the implementation of internal reviews and assistance visits plan; Ensures that corrective actions and new measures are established to strengthen the internal controls.

Oversees performance indicators and determines with relevant stakeholders action plan to improve performance. Consolidates and assures quality of responses to audit observation as well as any alleged violations of the Agency’s financial rules, regulations and policies related to procurement, supply chain, fleet management and general administration services. Oversees the implementation of mitigation measures pursuant to auditors’ observations;

Be responsible for the development and implementation of training programs in the area of procurement, supply chain, fleet management on the basis of needs assessment and skill gaps including best practices. Provides technical advice on activities related to procurement, supply chain, fleet management and general administration services to headquarters and fields staff to ensure efficient use of resources in the Agency;

Monitors adherence to contractual agreements, recommends amendments and extensions of contracts, and advises concerned stakeholders on their contractual rights and obligations in consultation with the department of legal affairs;

Prepares a variety of complex procurement-related documents, correspondences and reports to internal and external stakeholders. Reviews and issues critical statistical reports Agency-wide for activities related to procurement, supply chain, fleet management and general administration services. Ensures accuracy of reports entailing data extracted from Information Systems (ERP, e-tendering tool, UNGM, Fleetwave, Fleetlog, etc.);

Oversees and coordinates Central Support Services Division (CSSD) budget preparation and monitoring reviews; coordinates CSSD-HQ HR planning, reviews and compilation of job descriptions; participates in planning and reviews meetings to identify CSSD-HQ staffing and budgetary requirements;

Competencies

UN Core Values of Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply.

- Communication.
- Planning and organizing.
- Accountability.
- Leadership.
- Managing performance.

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

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.

Work Experience

At least 8 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in procurement, contract management, supply chain or administration in the public or private sector is required.
At least 5 years of experience must be directly related to first-hand experience in procurement at an international level.
A minimum of 2 continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and
outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number.
Experience in policy and compliance monitoring or development in procurement, logistics, fleet, or administration is required.
Experience in the development of operational systems in administration, procurement, logistics or fleet (desirable).
Experience in advanced use of office software packages, handling of web-based management systems and ERP systems (desirable).
Experience in budget and HR management (desirable).
Working experience with the United Nations or similar international organizations (desirable).

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.

The Head of Policy & Compliance Monitoring Section will be required to travel in the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA
is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.

For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.

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 applicants from under-represented groups.

At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work 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 Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The 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 according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. 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 reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.