Procurement Associate

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It operates globally, focusing on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between genders. UN Women coordinates efforts across the United Nations system to ensure that commitments to gender equality translate into action. The organization emphasizes placing women's rights at the center of its initiatives and has a mission to create an enabling environment for women's empowerment and gender equality across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The Procurement Associate will support the UN Women East and Southern Africa Regional Office in procurement and travel management services, ensuring compliance with UN Women rules and regulations. This role involves promoting a client-focused approach and supporting effective systems for program delivery and growth. The Procurement Associate will collaborate with operations staff from other UN agencies and government officials to deliver procurement services effectively. The position requires a strong focus on accountability, organizational values, and creating a workplace environment that maximizes staff potential. The incumbent will implement procurement strategies, manage procurement processes, and support contract and vendor management, all while ensuring adherence to UN Women policies and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Procurement Associate will be responsible for implementing procurement strategies in line with UN Women regulations, ensuring compliance with procurement and travel activities, advising colleagues on policies, reviewing submissions for accuracy, and supporting audit processes. They will organize procurement processes for goods and services, manage travel arrangements for staff and consultants, and maintain accurate records of procurement and travel transactions. Additionally, the role includes supporting contract management, maintaining supplier rosters, and managing procurement data and reporting. The incumbent will also facilitate knowledge sharing and training for staff on procurement and travel systems, contributing to the overall efficiency of the office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of procurement processes, administrative rules, and regulations. Proficiency in using spreadsheets and database packages is essential. The ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and handle confidential information is crucial. Strong IT skills and the ability to interpret data are also required. The role demands a commitment to UN Women’s core values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, along with competencies in gender sensitivity, accountability, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.

Educational Background:
Completion of secondary education is required, while a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field is preferred but not mandatory. A procurement certification from a recognized provider, such as CIPS (level 3), is considered an asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, administration, or related fields at the national or international level. Alternatively, candidates with a Bachelor's degree should have a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience. Familiarity with automated procurement systems and experience with office software packages, including MS Word and Excel, are required. Experience with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable, along with knowledge of UN procurement rules and regulations.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and spoken English is mandatory. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable, enhancing communication and collaboration within the UN system.

Additional Notes:
The position does not entail direct supervisory responsibilities but involves mentoring and training junior staff within the Procurement Department. The role is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and expects adherence to its standards of conduct. Background checks will be conducted on selected candidates, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.