Contracts Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to promote reproductive health and rights, and to ensure that every individual has access to the necessary resources for a healthy life. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has a strategic plan for 2022-2025 that emphasizes ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) was made operational in January 2022 and is self-funded, focusing on delivering life-saving reproductive health products and other program supplies efficiently and effectively to those in need. UNFPA values principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, and who are committed to delivering excellence in program results.

Job Overview:
The Contracts Associate position is situated within the Strategic Sourcing Team of the Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) at UNFPA. Reporting directly to the Category Specialist, the Contracts Associate plays a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of managing UNFPA’s Health and Non-Health commodities. This position involves strategic sourcing, contracting, and procurement for UNFPA’s Headquarters and Representative Offices. The Contracts Associate is expected to provide guidance on sustainability in sourcing and contracting strategies, manage procurement requirements, and ensure compliance with long-term agreements (LTAs). The role also includes developing a comprehensive product catalogue, implementing procurement strategies, and fostering collaboration across various UNFPA divisions and external partners. The Contracts Associate is integral to ensuring that supplies are delivered effectively to the end-users, thereby supporting UNFPA's mission to enhance reproductive health services globally.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Contracts Associate will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Providing guidance on sustainability in sourcing and contracting strategies for Health and Non-Health commodities, ensuring that procurement requirements are met for UNFPA Headquarters and Representative Offices.
• Sourcing suppliers and establishing Long Term Agreements (LTAs) for Health and Non-Health commodities, along with developing operational guidance notes.
• Maintaining a fit-for-purpose UNFPA product catalogue that ensures quality and availability of generic products.
• Performing contracts and supplier management functions to ensure compliance with LTAs and contractual terms.
• Designing and implementing sourcing and procurement strategies that align with UNFPA’s corporate requirements.
• Ensuring the robustness of the procure-to-pay process, including reviewing and approving procurement orders and preparing submissions for the Contracts Review Committee when necessary.
• Implementing vendor sanction decisions and supporting UNFPA’s Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Reporting functions.
• Developing and implementing capacity-strengthening initiatives for supply chain professionals, including coaching and mentoring UNFPA personnel.
• Engaging with industry experts and participating in forums to promote UNFPA's supply chain thought leadership. 1
• Contributing to resource mobilization efforts and establishing effective collaborations with stakeholders to enhance UNFPA’s supply chain function. 1
• Leading and supervising a team to create a conducive working environment aligned with UNFPA's People Strategy.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement and contracting. This requirement is reduced to four (4) years for candidates with a relevant first-level or advanced university degree. Candidates should demonstrate experience in key areas such as working in development and/or complex humanitarian environments, facilitating participation in international public health meetings, and developing partnerships. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain diverse partnerships are essential. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and professional written and spoken presentation skills are required. Additionally, candidates should have experience managing teams, particularly in a matrix organizational structure, and possess basic project management skills. Knowledge of UNFPA’s strategic plans and operational aspects of sexual and reproductive health commodities is an asset.

Educational Background:
Completion of secondary education is required. A university degree at the Bachelor level in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, Logistics, Marketing, International Relations, Development Studies, International Commerce, or a related field is an asset. Professional certifications in Supply Chain Management, such as those from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT-UK) at Level 3, are additional assets that enhance a candidate's qualifications.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in procurement and contracting, with a reduction to four (4) years for those holding a relevant degree. Experience must include at least one (1) year of hands-on work in development or complex humanitarian environments, particularly in low-resource countries. This field experience is crucial for understanding the unique challenges and regulations in these contexts. Candidates should also have experience in preparing for international public health meetings and managing diverse partnerships.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. A working knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration within the international context of UNFPA's operations.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics.