Procurement Advisor / Team Lead (Public Procurement Specialist)

Job Posting Organization:
The South East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO) was established in January 2023, following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office. EAPMCO supports and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects across 24 countries in North East Asia, South East Asia, and the Pacific. The office is headquartered in Bangkok and comprises nine business units, including EAPMCO Papua New Guinea. In 2024, EAPMCO implemented projects worth over USD 80 million in various sectors, including energy transition, digital transformations, and health services, among others. The Papua New Guinea office, established in early 2020, focuses on infrastructure design and construction, sustainable procurement, and capacity development to support governance and technical excellence in the country.

Job Overview:
The Procurement Advisor will report to the Senior Project Manager and work under the technical supervision of the National Department of Health (NDOH) counterparts. The role involves providing programmatic, operational, and technical support to ensure project outputs are delivered within specified tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits. The incumbent will be responsible for establishing quality assurance in all team activities, applying best practices for successful program delivery, and ensuring compliance with financial management guidelines. Key activities include conducting capacity needs assessments, designing and implementing capacity development frameworks, and reviewing existing procurement systems to enhance governance and efficiency in the NDOH's procurement processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will carry out a capacity needs assessment and develop a capacity development framework for the NDOH's Commercial Support Services Branch. They will review existing systems to determine governance requirements for effective procurement planning and tracking. The role includes working with stakeholders to identify weaknesses in the current inventory management system and facilitating improvements. The incumbent will assist the NDOH in its procurement oversight and governance during technical evaluation processes and committee meetings, providing surge support in procurement activities as needed. They will also manage project delivery, performance monitoring, stakeholder engagement, quality assurance, knowledge management, and personnel management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have an Advanced University Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, Engineering, Health Service Planning, or related fields. A Bachelor's Degree with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted. Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) and professional certifications from accredited institutions are considered assets. Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of experience in procurement or contracts management, including at least two years in public procurement. Experience in managing teams, facilitating adult learning, and leading public sector reform is essential, along with strong analytical capabilities and experience in developing procurement strategies.

Educational Background:
An Advanced University Degree is required, preferably in fields related to procurement or public administration. A Bachelor's Degree with two additional years of relevant work experience is acceptable. Certification in Project Management and other professional certifications are advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least seven years of experience in procurement or contracts management, with a minimum of two years providing expert advice in public procurement. Experience in managing teams, change management, and facilitating adult learning is required. Proven experience in public sector reform and health service delivery is preferred, along with experience in developing procurement strategies and program oversight in developing countries.

Languages:
Full working knowledge of English is essential for this position. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The contract type is an International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA) at the ICS-11/IICA 3 level, with an open-ended duration subject to organizational requirements and satisfactory performance. If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued. Port Moresby is designated as a family duty station with hardship leave. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and encourages applications from qualified women and underrepresented groups. Background checks are conducted on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results.