Procurement Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Facilities, Construction and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Section of the Technology & Infrastructure Support Service, Procurement Division (PD), Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), Department of Operational Support (DOS) of the United Nations. The DOS was established to provide comprehensive operational support and advisory services to various UN entities, including departments, field missions, and regional commissions. The OSCM encompasses several divisions, including Logistics, Procurement, and Aviation Safety, with the Procurement Division specifically tasked with delivering expert procurement services and business advice to ensure best value for money while adhering to established regulations and procedures. The organization aims to maintain a competitive, fair, and transparent procurement process across its operations.

Job Overview:
The Procurement Officer will serve as a senior expert in procurement and contracting, responsible for managing a diverse range of supplies and services linked to complex contracts and procurement activities. The role involves providing technical advice throughout the procurement cycle, analyzing procurement requests, and ensuring the appropriateness of technical specifications. The officer will develop and prepare intricate contracts for non-routine and technologically advanced commodities or long-term services, issue international tender invitations, evaluate responses, and make recommendations for contract awards. The position also requires the development of new tactical approaches to contracts based on market research, contributing to the formulation of institutional procurement policies, and maintaining oversight of production patterns in exporting countries. The officer will negotiate contracts and disputes, provide guidance to junior staff, and may conduct consultancy missions to the field.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Procurement Officer's responsibilities include serving as a senior procurement expert, providing technical advice on procurement activities, analyzing procurement requests, developing complex contracts, issuing international tenders, evaluating responses, and making recommendations for contract awards. The officer will also develop new tactical approaches to contracts, contribute to institutional procurement policies, maintain oversight of production patterns, negotiate contracts and disputes, and provide guidance to junior staff. Additionally, the officer may carry out consultancy missions to the field as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in business administration, public administration, commerce, commercial law, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Professional certification in supply chain management, such as CIPS Level 4, is required, while certification in quantity surveying, cost management, construction, or real estate is desirable. Knowledge of recognized international standards and practices is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, commercial law, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of experience in procurement, contract management, contract administration, or supply chain management is required. Candidates must have at least two consecutive years of experience leading international procurement activities, including the development and management of solicitation processes and contract awards for construction, renovation, engineering design, and major capital improvement projects. Additionally, two consecutive years of experience in managing international procurement activities for real estate consultancy and property leasing is required. Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP and e-tendering systems like Ariba is essential, along with experience in applying internationally recognized contract forms and developing performance-based contractual instruments.

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

Additional Notes:
This position is funded for an initial period of one year by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. The appointment is subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Applicants from troop and police-contributing countries will be given due consideration for positions in peacekeeping operations. Candidates who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply. The recruitment process emphasizes the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.