Sustainable Procurement Expert

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Position Title: Sustainable Procurement Expert
Location: Copenhagen
Country: Denmark
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global development network established in 1965, working in over 170 countries to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities. The organization focuses on sustainable development, democratic governance, and resilience to crises. UNDP aims to empower lives and build resilient nations by helping countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, and institutional capabilities to sustain development results. With a mission to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNDP operates through a network of country offices and regional hubs, employing thousands of staff members worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Sustainable Procurement Expert position is part of the UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme, which is designed to equip young leaders with the necessary skills and experience to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This role involves working closely with UNDP Country Offices and partner countries to develop and implement sustainable public procurement strategies. The JPO will be supervised by experienced UNDP staff and will receive structured guidance and feedback to enhance their professional growth. The position emphasizes the importance of sustainable procurement in achieving the SDGs and aims to build capacities within the UN system and among partner governments. The JPO will engage in various learning and development opportunities, including training courses, mentorship programs, and networking with other professionals in the field.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide analytical inputs to UNDP Country Offices and partner countries in applying sustainable public procurement (SPP) policies, tools, methods, and approaches. This includes collaborating with stakeholders to develop strategies for sustainable public procurement, assisting in the promotion of SPP tools and guidelines, and supporting the integration of sustainable procurement strategies into relevant projects.
• Roll out and scale up sustainable procurement capacity development tools and strategies, including conducting research and developing training modules. The expert will also support pilot testing of new methodologies and assist in tutoring training programs.
• Deliver sustainable procurement training and learning programs, developing training materials and maintaining relationships with capacity development providers.
• Manage a sustainable procurement quality assurance program, synthesizing lessons learned and developing key performance indicators for continuous improvement.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices with UNDP Country Offices and public institutions, participating in workshops and conferences to promote sustainable procurement practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a good understanding of international organizations and have certifications or recognized training in public procurement as an advantage. The position is specifically open to nationals of Finland, with a maximum age requirement of 32 years at the time of application. The ideal candidate should demonstrate competencies in achieving results, innovative thinking, continuous learning, adaptability, determination, engagement, and enabling diversity and inclusion.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Finance, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant paid working experience for candidates with a Master’s degree, and a minimum of four years for those with a Bachelor’s degree. Experience in sustainable public procurement within national or international organizations is considered an advantage. Candidates should also have a working knowledge of English, while knowledge of French is desirable.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of French is considered a good asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for the role.

Additional Notes:
This JPO position is funded by the Government of Finland and is exclusively open to Finnish nationals. The application process requires candidates to submit a brief motivation letter in English, a copy of their passport, and a copy of their Bachelor or Master degree. The UNDP emphasizes its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from marginalized or excluded populations. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, ensuring rigorous background checks for selected candidates.