UNDP Jobs - 66968- National Consultant on Common Procurement Support

National Consultant on Common Procurement Support Consultant - (Open to Ethiopian Nationals Only)

Location :

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

11-Jul-2016

Application Deadline :

30-Jun-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

132 working days – 6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

132 working days – 6 months

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

Please do not apply through this site.

Please note that required documents should be submitted only to: E-Mail-- procurement.et@undp.org.

Under the overall leadership and guidance of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), the Operations Management Team (OMT) endeavors to facilitate the implementation of the UN Delivering as One (DaO) by harmonizing operational practices of UN bodies, agencies, funds and programmes in Ethiopia. Moreover, the OMT proposes and implements inter-agency initiatives to ensure the quality of support services, while utilizing resources effectively.

According to the DaO Standard Operating Procedures, the UN needs to ensure efficient and effective delivery of results in support of national development priorities. By strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations support, the UN system can maximize the impact of its development and humanitarian activities. The implementation of DaO requires a “step change” in the way the UN does business. The Operating as One pillar of the DaO process in Ethiopia is therefore supported by a comprehensive UN Ethiopia Business Operations Strategy (BOS) which complements the United Nations Development Assistant Framework (UNDAF). The BOS will outline critical inter-agency harmonization and operations activities planned to support the new UNDAF implementation cycle: 2016-2020 prioritized after conducting various operational analyses in light of new needs coming out of the UNDAF and Costed Action Plan, Agencies Operational Policies and Procedures, and the OMT operational/common services baseline.

The OMT leads the development of the BOS for 2016-2020 as well as the implementation of the current BOS through six OMT Working Groups. Within this concept, Together with the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), the OMT seeks national consultancy services to support the overall implementation of the Department of International Development (DFID) proposal related activities that includes supporting the development of both local and regional Long Term Agreements (LTAs), assisting relevant mapping exercises of operational/procurement services in regions, supporting assessments to improve the quality and effectiveness of the UN Operations and Programs delivery and implementing common procurement capacity building programmes. The Common Procurement Support Consultant is required to provide support to the OMT Common Procurement Working Group as well and Common Procurement International Consultant. The function is also essential in ensuring the strategic linkages between joint programming under the UNDAF programme and common procurement activities. The Consultant is expected to support the project for an initial six month period. Engagement on this project will include a combination of desk work including research, meetings as well as in personal collaboration with people from different UN agencies, funds, programmes and specialized agencies that are operating in Ethiopia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within the above framework, the consultant together with the Common Procurement International Consultant will assess Joint Common Procurement areas and vendors in order to map the resources in Ethiopia as well as other countries in the African region. The service mapping exercise will focus on services that countries in the sub-region procure from abroad. The Consultant will support the creation of regional LTAs and will assist to develop a plan to improve these services at the sub-regional level and will facilitate to organize capacity building activities including peer to peer networking and knowledge sharing workshops/ seminars for the BOS pilot countries on best practices of BOS implementation.

The detailed tasks of the Consultant are as follows:

Following the guidance of the OMT, OMT Common Procurement Working Group and Common Procurement International Consultant, support conducting of relevant mapping exercises, assessments and analyses to improve the quality and effectiveness of the UN Operations and Programs delivery:

Support the mapping of operational/procurement services in five regions (Gambella, Jigjiga, Mekelle, Dollo Ado and Gode) in Ethiopia and relevant programmes delivery needs and challenges in regions.
Facilitate conducting workshops in five BOS implementing countries in in East African Region (Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi) to assess findings, decide on priorities with OMT, and prepare action plan to remedy gaps in common procurement, and assist review of regional LTAs.
Support the Common Procurement International Consultant to provide the UNCT with analysis and recommendations for professionalization and harmonization requirements to improve quality and cost-efficiency through common procurement modalities such as regional and local LTAs.

Support the OMT, OMT Common Procurement Working Group and Common Procurement International Consultant to develop both local and regional LTAs:

Identify common procurement areas and support to develop both local and regional LTAs

Regularly update local LTA database together with the Common Procurement International Consultant.
Support lead agency to develop regional level LTAs on common services that will be accessible to the BOS implementing UN country offices in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi in East African sub region.
Organize training to Procurement Staff of UN agencies on the use of local and regional level LTAs.

Support the Joint Common Procurement effort providing assistance to the UNCT/OMT, OMT Common Procurement Working Group:

Prepare a vendor database evaluating Joint Common Procurement areas and vendors in Ethiopia as well as other BOS implementing countries (Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi) in East African sub region
Support the mapping exercise on available resources of Common Procurement sector in Ethiopia as well as other BOS implementing countries (Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi) in East African sub region.
Support lead agency to prepare Regional LTAs, tender documents and evaluations.
Support the Regional LTAs database expert to design and develop Regional LTAs database.

Assist the OMT, OMT Common Procurement Working Group and Common Procurement International Consultant to implement common procurement capacity building programmes:

Organize the CIPS III training for the procurement staff of the UN agencies.
Organize a Business Seminar for Local and Regional Vendors.
Organize peer to peer networking and knowledge sharing workshops/ seminars for the BOS pilot countries on best practices of BOS implementation.

Competencies

Compliance of the UN Core Values:

Professionalism:

Knowledge and understanding of issues pertaining to UN’s work in Ethiopia, particularly in the field of information and communication technologies;
Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues;
Ability to engage others for data collection;
Ability to apply sound judgment in the context of assignments given, and work under pressure;
Shows persistence and remains calm in stressful situations;
Shows pride in work and achievements, demonstrates professional competence and mastery of the subject matter;
Responds positively to feedback and different points of view. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Planning and Organizing:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with the terms defined here;
Identifies priority activities and assignments, and adjusts them as required;
Allocates appropriate time and resources for completing work by foreseeing risks and developing contingency plans accordingly. Monitors and adjusts plans as necessary, and uses time effectively.

Accountability:

Takes ownership of responsibilities and respect commitments;
Delivers assigned tasks within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rule;
Takes personal responsibility for his/her shortcomings;

Functional Competencies:

Expertise in operational support activities required to ensure high-quality and cost-effective delivery of UN’s development and humanitarian assistance;
Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders and UN staffs members.
Professional maturity.
Computer skills (Microsoft project).

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Advanced university degree in Economics, Business Management, Statistics, International Relations/ Development or other relevant discipline.

Years of experience:

Minimum of 5 years of experience in coordinating and supporting complex procurement and operational activities preferably within the UN system;
Have proven experience in developing Long Term Agreements in the national/International level;
Experience with holding common operational analyses to identify benchmarks on quality and efficiency for inter-agency operations activities, and monitor and implement these activities accordingly;
Experience in supporting the development of LTAs in the UN system is highly desirable;
Experience in the areas of business operations (such as procurement, human resources, HACT and business continuity);
Experience in participating to Operations Management Team common services work with International Organisations.;
Professional training in, and experience with statistical/operational analyses, and inter-agency procurement activities involving multiple UN agencies is an asset.

Language:

Excellent knowledge of English (written / verbal communication) including the ability to set out a coherent argument in presentations and group interactions and good drafting abilities.

NB: Applicants can access the full Procurment notice and proposal Submission templet on the blelow link:- http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=30124.

Please do not apply through this site.

Please note that required documents should be submitted only to: E-Mail-- procurement.et@undp.org.