Procurement Senior Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, established to oversee the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, focuses on fragile and conflict-affected settings. It is supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices in North, West, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, as well as the Horn of Africa. The office's mission includes advancing national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). By promoting excellence in project delivery and fostering knowledge sharing, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure and better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Job Overview:
The Procurement Senior Officer is tasked with developing and implementing strategic and effective procurement services that reflect best practices in international public procurement. This includes ensuring compliance with UNOPS procurement rules and regulations, managing risks appropriately, and obtaining the best value for money in the acquisition of goods, services, and contracting of works. The role requires a deep understanding of procurement policies and processes, as well as the ability to analyze and interpret relevant rules and regulations. The officer will also focus on strategic relationship building and demand management, which involves aggregating needs and navigating complex organizational structures. The position emphasizes a collaborative, quality-driven, client-focused, and results-oriented approach to procurement, working closely with office leadership and project managers to report on central procurement issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Procurement Senior Officer will execute procurement activities in accordance with UNOPS rules and regulations, maintaining a client-focused procurement management system supported by effective internal controls. Responsibilities include collaborating with project managers to review procurement plans, implementing all phases of the procurement lifecycle, preparing procurement plans, monitoring their implementation, coordinating the end-to-end solicitation process, and managing supplier information in the UNOPS ERP system. The officer will also participate in contract negotiations, monitor contractor performance, provide advice on procurement issues, draft contracts, and utilize e-sourcing tools. Additionally, the officer will organize training initiatives for personnel and contribute to knowledge networks by synthesizing lessons learned and disseminating best practices in procurement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 4 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience. A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate or membership, such as CIPS, is desired but not mandatory. Relevant experience should include advising on and implementing policies and procedures for complex procurement programs within international or multi-national organizations. Familiarity with collaboration and productivity tools, such as MS Office and G-Suite, is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline, with a preference for candidates holding a Master’s degree or equivalent. The educational background should be complemented by relevant experience in procurement or related fields, demonstrating the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings.

Experience:
The position requires relevant experience in advising on and implementing procurement policies and procedures, particularly in complex environments. Candidates should have experience working within international or multi-national organizations, and familiarity with development or humanitarian contexts is preferred. Experience in using collaboration and productivity tools is essential, and candidates with a background in multicultural environments or UN system organizations are encouraged to apply.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as mid-level (ICS 09) and is open to internal candidates only. The contract type is ICA - IICA - Regular, with an open-ended duration subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The application deadline is set for midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments. UNOPS is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.