UNDP Jobs - 50140- Procurement Specialist

Procurement Specialist

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

09-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP Afghanistan Mission statement:

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

Note:

UNDP Afghanistan reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Afghanistan at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.

This is a Management Project Funded (DPF) post.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Procurement Specialist will work under overall guidance of the Deputy Country Director (Operations) and will report directly to the Head of Supply Chain Management Office (SCMO). The duties and responsibilities of the Procurement Specialist will involve but not be limited to the following:

Summary of key functions:

Elaboration and implementation of operational strategies;
Efficient management of procurement processes;
Elaboration, introduction and implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Ensures elaboration and implementation of operational strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; elaboration of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system.
CO Procurement business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Procurement, control of the workflows in the Procurement Unit, harmonization of the workflows in the office.
Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies.
Conceptualization, elaboration and implementation of contract strategy in the CO including tendering processes and evaluation, contractor appraisal, evaluation and negotiation of offers, management of the contract and contractor, legal considerations and payment conditions, risk assessment.
Conceptualization, elaboration and implementation of strategic procurement in the CO including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management, e-procurement introduction and promotion, performance measurement

Ensures efficient management of procurement processes for CO, NIM/DIN projects, and at the request of other Agencies focusing on achievement of the following results:

Timely and proper preparation of procurement plans for the office and projects, establishment of the deadlines and monitoring of their implementation;
Establishment and implementation of proper monitoring system and control of procurement processes including organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt and evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulation;
Certification of submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP) and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP);
Management of the implementation of the procurement processes monitoring system and mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in procurement;
Supervision of preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for procurement services provided by UNDP to other Agencies;
Establishment and implementation of harmonized procurement services and elaboration of proposals on common services expansion, introduction and management of joint procurement for the UN Agencies in line with the UN reform.

Ensures elaboration, introduction and implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development and management of the rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, quality and performance measurement mechanisms;
Management of the e-procurement system;
Analyze spending and provide various management reports;
Regularly analyze market prices and prepare relevant reports.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on Procurement;
Organization of trainings for Govt. staff on Procurement as required;
Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Procurement;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Building Strategic Partnerships

Identifying and building partnerships

Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments;
Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

Assisting the individuals to cope with change

Provides counseling and coaching to colleagues who are dealing with change Assists in the development of policies, communications, and change strategies;
Performs appropriate work analysis and assists in redesign to establish clear standards for implementation.

Design and Implementation of Management Systems

Designing and implementing management system

Makes recommendations regarding design or operation of systems or programmes within organizational units;
Identifies and recommends remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation.

Client Orientation

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services;
Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively;
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management Input to the development of standards and policies

Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability and results-based management.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing are the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or bachelor degree in business administration, supply chain management, finance or related fields;
UNDP Procurement Certification programme.

Experience:

With master’s degree minimum 5 years and with bachelor degree minimum 7 years of progressive work experience and at professional level in procurement management, operation management or relevant field;
Previous work experience in complex operations environment;
Work experience with UNDP or UN System will be highly advantageous;
Knowledge of ATLAS, ERP high desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
Knowledge of Dari/Pashto an asset.

Application procedure:

Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/operations/jobs/ and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/operations/jobs/ in the relevant field of the on-line application

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af

Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment.

Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.