UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Education

How can you make a difference? 

The Procurement Associate performs highly skilled work on UNICEF procurement, supply chains, and manages the more complex cases and client requests, which frequently requires the evaluation of difficult situations and adaptation of procedures and processes to resolve such cases. This is the senior GS level for specialized procurement, supply chain work and requires advanced specialized knowledge acquired through formal training and experience.

The function is characterized as highly independent and provides opportunities for Associate to lead and carry out responsibility for end-to-end procurement / supply chain management from the beginning to the end of the process and provide input into the design and development of improved procurement services and delivery mechanisms.

The Procurement Associate is responsible for assistance for a segment of products, providing effective services to customers, ensuring accurate and timely processing of Requisitions and requests up to the completion and closure of the order, with the overall goal of meeting the needs and requirements of the customers.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  132279_ToR_Procurement Associate_ G6_ TA_WSEC.doc

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks 

 

Procurement and Supply Chain Service Delivery and Emergency Response

 Planning: 

• Provide input to centre work plan, participate in the forecasting and planning. Prepare and monitor tender calendar, including performance indicators.
• Draft and prepare international tender invitations for the establishment of Long Term Agreements and Direct Order Arrangements. Prepare CRC submissions or Award Recommendation documents.
• For non-LTA WASH commodities, draft and prepare international tender invitations, prepare CRC submission when applicable, draft and prepare Purchase Orders.
• Manage bid openings, and coordinate technical and financial analysis of offers as might be required. Conduct clarifications and negotiations with suppliers. Maintain highest level of integrity, ethical standards and accountability in the procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction work.
• Support supply emergency preparedness and response activities including Emergency Supply List review and regular monitoring of Critical Deliveries and Emergency orders, and pre-positioning of stock.

Procurement/contracting:

• Conduct data review and analysis for WASH commodities, procurement trends. Conduct market research in relevant areas for UNICEF and advice on best approaches to obtain best value for money and sustainable procurement. Support product innovation and market shaping initiatives for specific categories of supplies and services.
• Establish Long Term Agreements and Direct Order Arrangements. Manage (including extensions and price revisions) and monitors utilisation of Long Term Agreements and Direct Order Arrangements, including preparing historical data analyses of LTA usage.
• Prepare purchase orders and contracts in SAP (ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning system), and submit for relevant approvals, ensuring completeness of documentation in UNICEF systems. 
• Review and evaluate incoming supply requisitions and requests to ensure quality and adequacy of information, specifications, appropriateness of requests, quantities, shipment, delivery dates, budgets. 
• Review material specifications and requirements with customers, countries, the Technical counterparts and Quality Assurance Centre to ensure completeness and appropriateness. Ensure that customers’ claims/complaints are processed in collaboration with Shipping and Quality Assurance Centre.
• Monitor and follow-up on progress of sales orders to ensure that commitments entered into are met. Keep stakeholders/partners informed on the progress. Pro-actively follow-up on placed orders and deliveries with all parties concerned in order to ensure timely and safe delivery of goods.  Transmits all relevant information to customer including changes to planned deliveries, to facilitate delivery and customs clearance of shipments. Prepares and provides timely and regular status / monitoring reports to customers. 
• Implement appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews. Monitor and evaluate supplier performance and communicate with suppliers to improve performance. Prepare evaluation of suppliers with respect to delivery performance and commercial acceptability.
• Ensure appropriate filing of procurement cases and maintain up to date records for future reference including for audit. 

Supply chain delivery:

• Monitor the status of centre specific KPIs. Assist in preparation and analysis of all information materials, including presentations, notes, reports etc. Use supply dashboards to ensure pipeline monitoring and data analysis.
• Contribute to regular review of business processes, procurement procedures and guidance notes.
• Perform research, collect data and conduct analysis, produce reports and ensure information accuracy in corporate systems to enable informed decision-making.

Warehousing replenishment management:

• Manage UNICEF warehouse replenishment for WASH commodities in line with UNICEF policies and procedures for SD warehouse and SD controlled hubs in close collaboration with warehouse colleagues to ensure timely processing of orders and avoiding stock-outs. 
• Assist in inventory claims and disposal of damaged items as per UNICEF procedures in collaboration with relevant colleagues.

Alternative procurement and delivery mechanisms: 

• Participate in events/meetings that build partnerships and collaborative relations with UN organizations to support harmonized and collaborative procurement and logistics arrangements.
• In collaboration with procurement and technical colleagues, identify opportunities for capacity building and improving the procurement and supply chain process to make it more effective, including documenting best practices and lessons learned. 

Other duties/responsibilities:

• In collaboration with supervisor, Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, provide input to help ensure knowledge exchange and learning is prioritized to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team. Develop and facilitate training of newcomers, establish processes or manuals to support effective workflows.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

  Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to supply chain, business administration, contract/commercial law, or another relevant technical field. 

• Work Experience:

   A minimum of 6 years of relevant administrative experience in procurement, contracting, supply chain management, or a commercial context is required. Understanding of development and humanitarian work is an advantage. 

• Skills

• Thorough knowledge of a range of specialized topics, including the relevant supply chain policies, partnership mechanisms, rules and regulations.
• High level of proficiency or skill is required in the interpretation and application of specialized rules and regulations to the particular circumstances of complex individual cases. 
• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF office tools.
• Demonstrated understanding of the relevant supply chain processes and ability to consistently apply relevant policies, procedures and good practices in the daily work. Good judgement in order to handle complex cases including considerations for exceptions.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, suppliers and colleagues and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor.
• Ability to use supply related modules within UNICEF ERP system.
• Ability to establish priorities and plan his/her own work and plan, coordinate and monitor the work of those under his/her supervision.
• Ability to draft clear and concise reports or rationale for supply related decisions on key issues.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

CO/ HQ specific: visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.