Closing date: Sunday, 25 January 2015

Posting Title: PROCUREMENT OFFICER, P3

Job Code Title: PROCUREMENT OFFICER

Department/ Office: Office of Central Support Services

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 26 November 2014-25 January 2015

Job Opening number: 14-PRO-DM OCSS-37792-R-NEW YORK (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. All staff of the Office are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter.

These posts are financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. Extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Procurement Division, Headquarters Procurement and Support Service, Corporate Procurement Section, Infrastructure Support Team.

The incumbent will report to a Procurement Officer, P-4 or a Section Chief, P-5.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Procurement Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Plans, develops and implements sourcing actions (and associated contractual documentation) related to the worldwide procurement of goods and services to support the activities of the UN at UN Headquarters, Offices away from Headquarters and in the Peacekeeping Operations (Field Missions).
• Focuses on the procurement of facilities management and construction services (and related consultancy services), office leasing, security equipment and services, including the handling of Local Procurement Authority requests from OAH's (Offices Away from Headquarters) and Field Missions.
• Advises requisitioning offices and recipient entities on the full range of procurement issues for the above commodities, providing support and guidance at all stages of the procurement cycle and ensuring that the needs of the requisitioners are being met.
• Prepares solicitation process, identifies method of solicitation and ensures that the solicitation process follows relevant rules and regulations.
• Ensures that the source selection process is fair, objective and transparent and that it follows the general principles as set forth in the UN Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Brings any concern to the attention of the Team Leader and/ or the Section Chief for further review.
• Prepares and presents cases to the Headquarters Committee on contracts (HCC).
• Participates in and conducts site inspections, bidder's conferences and contract negotiations.
• Keeps abreast of market developments; researches and analyzes statistical data and market reports on the world commodity situation, production patterns and availability of good and services.
• May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
• Performs ad hoc duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and of all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for a diverse range of goods and services. Knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex contract issues. Knowledge of quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity systems and ability to identify sources of supply, market trends and pricing. Ability to shape and influence agreements with requisitioning units and vendors. Ability to apply technical expertise to resolve a range of issues/problems. 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 AND 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, law or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contract management, contract administration or logistics and supply chain management is required. Two years of experience directly related to first-hand procurement or contracting is required. Firsthand experience in conducting procurement at the international level for an intergovernmental organization(s), governmental organization(s), or large multi-national organizations(s) is desirable. Experience in all phases of procurement in a high-volume procurement operation is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

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

United Nations Considerations

Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

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' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, 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 and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.