Associate Procurement Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Associate Procurement Officer
Location: Vienna
Country: Austria
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Procurement Unit (PU) of the General Support Section (GSS) in the Division for Management (DM) at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). The UNOV is part of the United Nations system, which was established to promote international cooperation and maintain peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The UNOV focuses on various global issues, including disarmament, crime prevention, and drug control. The organization employs a diverse workforce and operates in multiple countries, aiming to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter. The UNOV is committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment, ensuring that all employees contribute to the mission of the United Nations. For more information about UNOV, please visit their official website at www.unov.org.

Job Overview:
The Associate Procurement Officer will play a crucial role in the Procurement Unit, responsible for planning and executing procurement actions for assigned projects. This position involves handling technically complex commodities and services, ensuring that procurement processes align with the organization's policies and procedures. The incumbent will be expected to analyze technical specifications, assist staff with procurement-related inquiries, and develop vendor pre-qualifying criteria. The role requires a proactive approach to market research, bid evaluation, and contract management, ensuring that all procurement activities are conducted efficiently and transparently. The Associate Procurement Officer will also be involved in preparing reports and documentation related to procurement activities, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the Procurement Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Procurement Officer include:

• Planning procurement actions for assigned projects, focusing on technically complex commodities and services.
• Reviewing and analyzing technical specifications to ensure completeness and competitiveness.
• Assisting staff with procurement policies, technical specifications, pricing, and product availability.
• Developing vendor pre-qualifying criteria and evaluating vendor performance.
• Soliciting and evaluating bids, proposals, and quotations to ensure competitiveness and quality.
• Compiling and presenting procurement data, preparing supporting documents for contract approval.
• Coordinating the timely delivery of goods and services.
• Conducting market and supplier research and participating in business seminars.
• Preparing various procurement-related reports and correspondence. 1
• Supporting the monitoring and implementation of audit recommendations. 1
• Developing procurement templates and standard operating procedures. 1
• Contributing to the development of automated tools for the Procurement Unit. 1
• Supporting the rollout of corporate tools such as IFS, CPRT, and Ariba. 1
• Analyzing data to identify trends and providing insights for decision-making. 1
• Performing related work duties as required or requested.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Associate Procurement Officer position include:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, commerce, engineering, law, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree in similar fields combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• A first-level university degree with no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE), or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).
• Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS) Level 4 or equivalent professional certification is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as business administration, commerce, engineering, or law. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in similar fields, along with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted. Candidates with a first-level university degree and no experience may qualify if they have passed specific UN examinations.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in procurement or requisitioning in an international environment is required. Alternatively, successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE), or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is acceptable. Desirable experience includes managing decentralized procurement processes, contract management, and developing monitoring processes for Delegation of Authority. Familiarity with ERP systems and data analytics is also advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another United Nations official language, such as French, is considered an advantage and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position is financed from project funds, and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year, subject to funding availability. The extension of the appointment will depend on the continued availability of funding. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to various functions in accordance with established rules. The United Nations is committed to diversity and encourages applications from underrepresented member states. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and candidates are advised to follow all instructions provided in the online recruitment platform.