Procurement & Travel Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment globally. The organization is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. UN Women operates through its Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia located in Istanbul, along with several field offices across the region. The organization collaborates with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to advocate for women's political participation, economic empowerment, and to address violence against women. UN Women also focuses on integrating gender considerations into disaster response and recovery efforts, as well as promoting gender-responsive budgeting and public planning.

Job Overview:
The Procurement & Travel Specialist plays a crucial role in managing procurement and travel services within the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. This position is responsible for facilitating procurement processes for goods and services, managing travel arrangements, and ensuring compliance with UN Women’s procurement policies and guidelines. The Specialist will work closely with various teams, including Operations, Programme, and Project teams, to deliver effective procurement services and provide solutions to complex procurement issues. The role requires a strategic approach to sourcing and aims to enhance the effectiveness of procurement management while maintaining a streamlined process that does not create unnecessary bureaucracy. The incumbent will also support the implementation of strategic procurement initiatives and keep management informed of procurement issues requiring attention.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide procurement oversight and guidance for strategic sourcing across the ECA Region, ensuring compliance with UN Women rules and regulations.
• Manage procurement processes for ECARO and field offices, including the establishment of procurement plans and monitoring their implementation.
• Develop and manage a roster of suppliers and maintain long-term agreements for goods and services.
• Oversee travel and administrative services, ensuring adherence to travel policies and providing guidance to regional and country offices.
• Participate in inter-agency activities related to procurement and administrative issues, representing UN Women’s interests.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and training initiatives within the region, monitoring procurement activities and reporting trends to HQ.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, HR, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Procurement Certification from an internationally recognized provider such as CIPS (level 3) is considered an asset. Candidates should have strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Candidates with a Procurement Certification from a recognized provider will have an advantage.

Experience:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement at the national or international level is required. Experience in leading a team and working with ERP systems is essential. Familiarity with UN procurement processes and experience in general administration are highly desirable. Candidates should also have experience in using multiple office software packages and web-based management systems.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Turkish is mandatory. Knowledge of another UN working language such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish is desirable and will enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Istanbul, Turkey. The role involves supervisory responsibilities and requires the incumbent to lead direct reports and collaborate with various stakeholders. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, and all employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct.