Contracts Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF's Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) in Budapest provides services in Finance, Human Resources, Payroll, and Information Technology, ensuring high-quality service delivery and compliance across UNICEF offices globally.

Job Overview:
The Contracts Officer position at UNICEF's Global Shared Services Centre in Budapest involves providing technical and advisory support for managing consultancy contracts. This role ensures high-quality service delivery and compliance throughout the consultancy lifecycle, from pre-contracting to post-contracting phases. The Contracts Officer will oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of individual consultancy contracts, including reviewing Terms of Reference (TORs), supporting sourcing and selection, preparing offers, issuing contracts, and managing closure processes. The position also requires managing a team of contract processing staff and engaging with contracting managers globally to provide expert guidance on procedures and compliance standards. The role is crucial for maintaining performance excellence and ensuring that UNICEF's consultancy processes align with organizational standards and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Contracts Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide day-to-day operational and advisory support under the supervision of the Finance Manager.
• Ensure high-quality service delivery and compliance in managing consultancy contracts.
• Oversee the entire lifecycle of consultancy contracts, including reviewing TORs, supporting sourcing and selection, preparing offers, issuing contracts, and managing closure processes.
• Manage escalations from offices and contracting managers, providing expert guidance on compliance and best practices.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and partners to ensure effective service delivery.
• Engage in projects and innovation initiatives to improve consultancy management processes.
• Contribute to knowledge management and capacity building within the organization.
• Participate in regular duty officer assignments on a rotational basis as required.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for the Contracts Officer position, candidates must possess a completed university degree in Business Administration, Management, Human Resources, Procurement, International Development, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of two years of relevant experience in contracting, procurement, administration, or human resources at both national and international levels. Experience with the UN or another international organization is preferred, particularly in planning and delivering consultancy administrative support services. Knowledge of UNICEF's rules and regulations is considered an asset, along with the ability to supervise and direct a team effectively.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a completed university degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Management, Human Resources, Procurement, or International Development. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of consultancy management and compliance within UNICEF's operational framework.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant experience in contracting, procurement, administration, or human resources. Experience should include work at both national and international levels, preferably within the UN or another international organization. Previous experience in planning, organizing, and delivering consultancy administrative support services is highly desirable, along with experience in team leadership within a shared services center context.

Languages:
Fluency in both spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is advantageous. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, or Russian, is considered an asset. For national professional categories, knowledge of the local language of the duty station is required.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to nationals of Hungary only, and UNICEF GSSC does not facilitate MFA accreditation for locally recruited staff. The role offers a competitive salary exempt from national income taxes in Hungary, starting at net HUF 1,401,000 per month. Employees are entitled to 30 days of annual leave, parental leave, and a dependency allowance. Additional benefits include a United Nations sponsored medical insurance plan, pension plan, optional life insurance, access to professional development programs, and staff well-being support. The position may require medical clearance and compliance with vaccination requirements. UNICEF promotes diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.