Chief of Unit, Procurement

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Procurement Unit of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The UNMIK was established in 1999 with the mission to provide a safe and secure environment, promote respect for human rights, and support the establishment of democratic institutions in Kosovo. The organization operates in various capacities across multiple countries, focusing on peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. The UN employs thousands of individuals worldwide, working towards its mission of maintaining international peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, promoting sustainable development, and upholding human rights.

Job Overview:
The Chief of Unit, Procurement is responsible for overseeing the procurement activities of the mission, which involve managing multi-million dollar expenditures for a wide range of commodities and services. This role requires the incumbent to provide technical and policy advice to senior officials, develop best practices in procurement, and lead a team of procurement professionals. The Chief will also be involved in planning and allocating work assignments, coaching and mentoring staff, and participating in recruitment and training programs. The position demands a strategic approach to procurement, ensuring compliance with established rules and procedures while also adapting to the unique challenges presented by the mission's operational environment. The incumbent will represent the organization in high-level meetings and negotiations, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of Unit will be responsible for planning, developing, and managing procurement activities, advising senior officials on procurement matters, leading a procurement team, and analyzing complex procurement proposals. The incumbent will direct and manage all aspects of procurement, including planning, solicitation, negotiation, and contract management. They will approve procurement contracts within their delegated authority and recommend approvals for larger contracts to the Contracts Committee. Additionally, the Chief will develop proposals for revisions to procurement policies and procedures, represent the organization in critical meetings, and provide guidance to junior staff. The role also includes acting as Officer-in-Charge of the Operations and Resource Management pillar when required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong theoretical background and substantive experience in internationally recognized procurement standards and operations. Direct experience with construction contracting, project management, and contract law is essential. The incumbent should have knowledge of leading-edge procurement methods, good negotiating skills, and the ability to develop procurement policies and procedures. Strong analytical skills to measure supplier capacity and market trends are also required. The candidate should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication, teamwork, and planning and organizing skills.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A professional certification such as CIPS Level 4 (or equivalent) is also required for this position.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contract management, or logistics and supply chain management is required. Of these, at least five years must be directly related to procurement and contracting within supply chain management. Experience managing procurement functions in complex environments, particularly in peacekeeping operations, is highly desirable. Familiarity with procurement and financial management systems such as SAP or ERM is also advantageous, as is experience in end-to-end supply chain management and supporting mandate implementation.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, and proficiency in French is considered an asset but not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a roster recruitment process, meaning it is only open to applicants who are already on pre-approved rosters. Candidates must be aware that they cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of recruiting staff from a wide geographical basis and ensures equal opportunities for men and women. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request.