Associate Procurement Officer – HQSMS Focal Point

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization established to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist refugees, forcibly displaced, and stateless persons. UNHCR was founded in 1950 and has since grown to operate in over 130 countries, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to humanitarian efforts. The organization’s mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. UNHCR works to ensure that every refugee can return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. The Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) Service within the Division of External Relations (DER) is responsible for mobilizing private sector income and engagement across more than 40 markets, highlighting the organization's commitment to innovative fundraising strategies and partnerships.

Job Overview:
The Associate Procurement Officer will play a crucial role in the procurement process for the Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) within UNHCR. This position is designed to streamline procurement reviews and approvals, ensuring compliance with UNHCR policies and maximizing value for money. The incumbent will act as the global focal point for reviewing PSP procurement cases, managing the end-to-end Procurement Review Authority (PRA) pipeline, and serving as a secondary reviewer for all PSP procurement actions. This role requires close coordination with various stakeholders, including the PSP Strategic Sourcing Unit in Copenhagen, to ensure timely and compliant procurement actions. The Associate Procurement Officer will also be responsible for institutionalizing fundraising-specific procurement knowledge and standards across the network, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of procurement operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Procurement Officer include leading the centralized PSP PRA review process for all procurement actions exceeding USD 40,000, ensuring completeness and compliance across various procurement methods such as RFQs, ITBs, RFPs, waivers, amendments, and EPF cases. The incumbent will serve as the designated secondary reviewer on PSP procurement actions, providing authoritative advice on solicitation strategies, evaluation methods, contractual instruments, and risk mitigations. Additionally, the Associate Procurement Officer will interpret and apply UNHCR procurement policy, ensuring quality of solicitation documents and evaluation reports, and providing expert guidance on waiver justifications and non-compliant scenarios. The role also involves maintaining a PSP procurement knowledge base, capturing lessons learned, and championing innovation and sustainability in procurement practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, or a related field. A first-level degree with additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Relevant professional certification such as CIPS or CPSM is considered a strong asset. The position requires a minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in public-sector procurement and/or supply chain, or any other relevant field, including international experience. Demonstrated experience in conducting or advising on procurement reviews for complex services, particularly in fundraising, marketing, or digital domains, is essential. A proven track record in competitive solicitations, contract management, and vendor performance management is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Administration, Public Administration, or Law. Candidates with a first-level degree may be considered if they have additional relevant experience. Professional certifications in procurement are highly desirable and can enhance a candidate's qualifications for this role.

Experience:
The Associate Procurement Officer position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, or 2 years for those with a Master’s degree. This experience should be in public-sector procurement, supply chain management, or related fields, with a strong emphasis on international experience. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in conducting procurement reviews and managing complex procurement processes, particularly in the context of fundraising and marketing.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Hungarian is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset, which can enhance communication and collaboration within the international context of UNHCR's operations.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as LICA-9 and is expected to last from March 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension. It is important to note that this position replaces a previously advertised IICA-1 vacancy, and applicants who applied for the earlier vacancy must submit a new application under this announcement. The role is not remote and requires the incumbent to be based in Budapest, Hungary. Local Individual Contractor Agreements (LICA) apply to individuals recruited in the country where the functions are to be performed, irrespective of nationality.