Assignment: DAKAR
Posting Period: May 14 through May 28, 2023
23-Procurement-OCHA-206051-R-Dakar (X) is the number for this position.
Personnel Exercise None
Integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity are among the tenets of the United Nations
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Org. Setting and Reporting
To support operations in West and Central Africa, this post is located in the Supply Chain and Procurement Section (SCAPS), Executive Office (EO), of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Dakar, Senegal. In order to ensure a coordinated response to catastrophes, OCHA, a division of the United Nations Secretariat, brings together humanitarian players. OCHA makes ensuring that a framework is in place so that each actor can participate to the overall response effort. The goal of OCHA is to mobilize and coordinate effective and moral humanitarian action in collaboration with domestic and international actors to reduce suffering during emergencies and disasters, defend the rights of those in need, encourage preparedness and prevention, and facilitate long-term solutions.
The Head of Procurement Unit within SCAPS is the person the procurement officer reports to.
Responsibilities
The procurement officer is accountable for the following tasks under delegated authority:
1) Plans, develops, and oversees all contractual and procurement aspects of projects with high levels of complexity related to OCHA’s global procurement of a variety of services and goods (such as information technology, electronic equipment and instruments, vehicles, medicines, foodstuffs, building maintenance materials, office supplies, construction, furniture, etc.), while taking into account regional economic and other factors.
2) Offers support and direction at every level of the procurement cycle to requisitioning units and recipient entities on the complete spectrum of procurement-related concerns.
3) Manages/conducts all parts of the quotations evaluation and prepares/oversees the development and distribution of the request for quotations.
4) Creates new tactics and plans to resolve disputes for difficult procurement projects.
5) Develops and upholds work plans and schedules for ongoing and upcoming contracts. 6) Signs purchase orders up to the approved limit; if the order’s value is greater, submissions must be made for the authorized official’s inspection and approval.
7) Conducts market research to stay current on market trends; looks into and analyzes statistical data and market reports on the state of commodities globally, production trends, and product and service availability.
8) Identifies novel products, services, and technology; assesses and suggests potential supply sources; and takes part in incorporating research findings into the procurement program.
9) Monitors compliance with contractual commitments, suggests contract revisions and extensions, and counsels parties on their rights and obligations under the agreements.
10) Creates a variety of paperwork, contracts, communications, guidelines, instructions, etc. linked to procurement.
11) As requested by management, supports the creation of numerous reports.
12) Guides new or junior employees and may act as their supervisor
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Understanding of all phases of international procurement procedures and operations utilized in contracting for a wide range of goods and services. Knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards. experience in addressing difficult contract issues and knowledge of contract law. Understanding of quantitative techniques for evaluating supplier capacity systems, as well as the capacity to recognize supply sources, market trends, and price. Ability to influence and form contracts with purchasing departments and vendors. Ability to use technical knowledge to address a variety of difficulties. demonstrates professional competence and subject matter mastery; is diligent and effective in meeting commitments, adhering to deadlines, and producing results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; demonstrates perseverance when faced with difficult problems or challenges; and maintains composure under pressure. assumes responsibility for incorporating gender ideas and making sure that men and women participate equally in all aspects of the workforce.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Establishes precise objectives that are congruent with chosen tactics. Determines what tasks and activities are most important; modifies priorities as necessary. Appropriate time and resources are allotted for the completion of the work. identifies dangers and incorporates backup plans into preparation. observes and modifies strategies and actions as necessary. effectively utilizes time.
Considers all people for whom services are provided to be “clients” and tries to understand their perspective; builds and maintains successful relationships with clients by earning their trust and respect; recognizes clients’ needs and matches them with appropriate solutions; keeps track of ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to stay informed and foresee issues; informs clients of progress or setbacks in pr
Education A graduate-level degree in business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, law, or a closely related discipline is necessary. The advanced university degree may be substituted with a first-level university degree and two more years of relevant experience.
Job-Specific Requirements
It is necessary to possess professional supply chain accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS Level 4).
Experience at Work
It takes at least five years of steadily increasing responsibility in contract management, administration, or a similar field to qualify.
It is ideal to have at least two years’ worth of recent experience working abroad in a humanitarian or development context.
It would be ideal to have prior knowledge of the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system’s supply chain modules.
Experience with UN Common System or an equivalent international organization’s procurement procedures is preferred.
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. Fluency in both English and French is necessary for the role listed. It would be ideal to know another official UN language.
Assessment A competency-based interview may follow an assessment exercise in the evaluation of competent applicants.
Particular Notice
The funding for this position is limited to a year’s time. The mandate’s extension and the funding’s availability must both be met before the appointment can be extended.
The Secretary-General’s power and assignments are subject to that of the staff members. All employees are expected to transition into new roles at various points in their careers in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
The UN Secretariat is dedicated to having a 50/50 gender split among its employees. Women who are interested in the post are particularly encouraged to apply.
It is imperative to have a spotless reputation for moral character and high ethical standards.
Considerations relating to the UN
The requirement to ensure the highest standards of effectiveness, competence, and integrity is the most important factor in hiring workers, according to article 101, paragraph 3, of the United Nations Charter. Candidates who have violated international human rights law, international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they have participated in the commission of any of these acts, will not be given consideration for employment with the United Nations. “Sexual exploitation” refers to any actual or attempted misuse of a position of vulnerability, differential authority, or trust for sexual objectives, including but not limited to making money, advancing one’s political or social agenda, or other forms of gain from the sexual exploitation of another. The phrase “sexual abuse” refers to any actual or threatened bodily encroachment of a sexual nature, whether done so with force or under coercive, unfair, or oppressive circumstances. The term “sexual harassment” refers to any unwanted sexual behavior that could reasonably be anticipated to offend or be perceived as humiliating, when such behavior interferes with work, is made a condition of employment, or creates a threatening, hostile, or offensive work environment, and when the seriousness of the behavior justifies the end of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates with offenses other than insignificant traffic violations may not be given consideration for employment.
The significance of hiring people from as many different geographic backgrounds as is practical will be given due consideration. The United Nations does not impose any limitations on the ability of men and women to participate in its main and auxiliary organs in any capacity and on an equal basis. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the Secretariat of the United Nations.
The requirement to maintain the highest standards of effectiveness, competence, and integrity shall be the primary factor in the employment, transfer, or promotion of staff. Employees of the United Nations who accept an offer of employment are subject to the Secretary-General’s authority and assignment to any functions or agencies of the UN in accordance with staff regulation 1.2(c). In this regard, the Secretary-General shall set the terms and conditions under which all internationally recruited staff members shall be obliged to transfer periodically in order to perform new duties within or between duty stations.
Candidates are advised to carefully follow all guidelines provided on the online recruitment platform, inspira. Applicants can consult the Manual for the Applicant for additional in-depth instructions by clicking the “Manuals” hyper-link in the upper right corner of the homepage for inspira account holders.
According to the job opening’s evaluation criteria and any applicable internal UN laws, such as the UN Charter, General Assembly resolutions, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances, and guidelines, the evaluation of applicants will be done on the basis of the information provided in the application. To be considered for the vacant position, applicants must provide comprehensive and correct information about their personal profiles and qualifications in accordance with the guidelines listed in inspira. Applications that have already been submitted cannot be changed, amended, added to, deleted, revised, or modified. Reference checks will be conducted on candidates who are seriously under consideration for selection in order to confirm the data supplied in the application.
On the deadline date, all job postings listed on the Careers Portal will be deleted at 11:59 p.m. (New York time).
No Fee
AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING), THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE. The information on applicants’ bank accounts is unimportant to the United Nations.