Job Title:  Procurement Officer

Organization: United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)

Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda

Grade: P4

Job Opening Number: 15-Procurement-MONUSCO-50261-F-ENTEBBE (M)

Report to: Chief, Field Procurement Service

About MONUSCO:

Following the signing of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement in July 1999 between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and five regional States (Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe) in July 1999, the Security Council established the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) by its resolution 1279 of 30 November 1999, initially to plan for the observation of the ceasefire and disengagement of forces and maintain liaison with all parties to the Ceasefire Agreement. Later in a series of resolutions, the Council expanded the mandate of MONUC to the supervision of the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement and assigned multiple related additional tasks.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: Within limits of delegated authority and under the direct supervision of Chief, Regional Procurement Office in Entebbe, Uganda and the overall supervision of Chief, Field Procurement Service, the Procurement Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

·         The incumbent serves as a senior procurement and contracting expert in the Regional Procurement Office (RPO) with responsibility for the world-wide procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with highly complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities.

·         Offers technical support on procurement activities to officials of substantive units during all phases of the procurement cycle.

·         Keenly review and analyze the existing procurement procedures at the Regional Procurement Office and identify areas of risk to the finances and reputation of the Organization with emphasis on governance, ethics and integrity; make recommendations for corrective action and implement new measures to strengthen internal controls in procurement by the Regional Procurement Office, having particular regard to the areas of governance, ethics and integrity.

·         Identify potential areas of vulnerability and risk to compliance; propose and implement strategies for the resolution of problem areas identified; and provide general guidance for the avoidance or handling of similar situations in the future.

·         Quickly respond to alleged violations of the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules, procurement policies and practices, Administrative Instructions and applicable Standards of Conduct by evaluating the data pertinent to the alleged violations and recommending the initiation of investigative procedures or other appropriate corrective action. Monitor compliance by the Regional Procurement Office with the Resolutions of the General Assembly.

·         Develops new tactical approaches to contracts, as well as new methodsfor their application, based on market research.

·         Prepares a variety of procurement-related documents, correspondences and reports, analyzes the existing practices and procedures and contributes to development of institutional procurement policies and procedures; develops standards and criteria for the evaluation of goods, services, supplier capacity, etc.

·         Maintains under constant examination production patterns in exporting countries; evaluates the productive capacities andperformance of manufacturers to identify supply sources.

·         The incumbent establishes approaches for negotiations and conducts or coordinates all phases of negotiations with all concerned parties, including the negotiation of disputes arising from contracts.

·         May carry out consultancy missions to the field.

·         Provides direction and guidance to more junior staff.

·         Perform any other duties as and when required by the Chief, Field Procurement Service.

Key Performance Indicators:

·         Cost effectively delivers assigned procurement programs.

·         Prepares concise reports, assessments and rationales that facilitate decision-making on policy and other issues.

·         Develops and adjusts procurement strategies and approaches to address especially difficult procurement matters that may lack precedent.

·         Forms strong partnerships with stakeholders in the procurement process;

·         Resolves conflicting situations and influence parties to accept compromise solutions to achieve objectives.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

·         The ideal job holder for the United Nations Procurement Officer should hold an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, supply chain, law or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

·         At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contract management or administration in the public or private sector, of which at least five years should be directly related to first-hand procurement preferably at the international level, is required

·         Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage

Personal Competencies:

·         Professionalism: Knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and of all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for highly complex and technologically advanced goods and services. Knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex procurement and contract issues. Knowledge of quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity systems and ability to identify sources of supply, market trends and pricing. Ability to shape and influence agreements with requisitioning units and vendors.

Ability to apply technical expertise to resolve a range of complex and/or sensitive issues/problems. Ability to develop procurement policies, procedures and new programmes.

Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates

·         professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

·         Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

·         Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honourscommitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

·         Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

·         Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

NB: The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates desiring to serve the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) as the Procurement Officer should express their interest by visiting the UN recruitment website and clicking Apply Now.

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Deadline: 13^th November, 2015

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