Procurement Manager Job at UNOPS February 2026

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Position Title: Procurement Manager
Job Category: Procurement
Duty Station(s): Nairobi
Seniority Level: Mid Level
ICS Level: ICS 10
Contract Type: ICA – IICA – Regular
Contract Level: IICA 2
Posting Start Date: 24-Feb-2026
Posting End Date: 11-Mar-2026
Duration: One year renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Job Highlight

Drive efficient and compliant procurement processes that uphold best practices in international public procurement and organizational standards.

About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

Job Specific Context

This vacancy is at ICSC Level 10; equally qualified International ICA (IICA 2) and Local ICA (LICA 10) applicants are encouraged to apply.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the functional supervisor(s) / Head of Support Services, the Procurement Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic and effective procurement services reflecting international public procurement best practices, compliance with UNOPS procurement policy, rules, regulations and procedures, ensuring appropriate risk management and obtaining the best value for money for the acquisition of goods, services and the contracting of works.

He/she analyzes and interprets the respective rules and regulations and provides advice and solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues related to procurement. The role requires a deep understanding of procurement policy and processes and the Procurement Manager should be able to apply them to the appropriate situations.

In addition to responsibility for the deliverables of the work team, the incumbent’s work is focused on strategic relationship building and demand management, mainly referred to aggregation and dealing with complex organizational structures, preparation of business cases and understanding of the supply market, as well as sharing knowledge with projects in order to achieve reductions of costs and savings. Maintaining the highest degree of personal and professional ethics, the Procurement Manager promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Business Unit.

The Procurement Manager works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and Project Management teams in the given geographical area and UNOPS HQ personnel, particularly with the Procurement Group (PG) and Contracts Committee, and Government officials to successfully deliver procurement services.

The Procurement Manager will work in close cooperation with the Business Unit and Project Managers and report to the management on central issues related to procurement activities. S/he supervises and leads procurement personnel to deliver work results, in close cooperation with the leadership team in the given geographical area. The Procurement Manager may have both primary and secondary reports, both individuals and teams that are based within project units/ project offices or country offices within the multi-country office. These individuals would be both internationals/ nationals. The procurement manager may be allocated pre-clearance reviewer rights and approvals.

Role Purpose

The Procurement Manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategic and effective procurement services reflecting best practices in international public procurement; compliance with UNOPS procurement rules and regulations; appropriate risk management; and obtaining the best value for money for the acquisition of goods, services and contracting of works. The role analyzes and interprets relevant rules and regulations and provides advice and solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues related to procurement.

The Procurement Manager has a deep understanding of procurement policy and processes, as well as their application to appropriate situations. In addition to responsibility for the deliverables of the work team, the role focuses on strategic relationship building and demand management, mainly related to aggregation and dealing with complex organization structures, preparation of business cases and understanding of the supply market, as well as sharing knowledge with projects in order to achieve reductions of costs and savings.

By role-modelling the highest degrees of personal and professional ethics, the Procurement Manager maintains a collaborative, quality-driven, client-focused and results-oriented approach to their procurement role. The incumbent works in close cooperation with the office leadership and project managers, reporting to management on central issues related to procurement activities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Development and Implementation of procurement strategies
Management of procurement processes
Implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing
Team Management

Leads the development and implementation of procurement and contracting strategies for goods, services and works, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Appropriate application of UNOPS procurement governance framework (rules, regulations, policies and tools) in Business Unit and Project operations.
Provision of supply-market intelligence and analysis.
Procurement strategies, approaches and plans designed and implemented according to cost reduction and saving strategies, applying:
- Expertise in market intelligence matched to business requirements;
- Optimal Stakeholder management principles;
- Sustainability criteria;
- Appropriate work processes to individual cases.
Oversight and supervision of the implementation and results of strategic and routine procurement work plans in Business Unit, covering Pre-Purchasing: Strategy and Planning; Requirements Definition; Sourcing; Purchasing: Solicitation; Management of Submissions; Evaluation; Review and Award; Post Purchasing: Contract finalization and issuance; Logistics; and Contract Management.

Manage and guide procurement processes for the acquisition of goods, services and the construction of works for the Business Unit, focusing on achievement of the following results, in compliance with the official procurement policies, rules, regulations and procedures:

Sustainability embedded in the procurement process.
Appropriate procurement modalities and instruments applied (e-sourcing, procurement and Rosters of Suppliers) based on individual case requirements, utilizing expert knowledge of procurement policies and instruments.
Creation, implementation and oversight of proper monitoring and control of procurement processes in Business Unit and projects including organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNOPS Procurement rules and regulations.
Review and pre-clearance of solicitation documents, requests for awards and submissions to Contract and Property Committees (CPCs) in the role as Procurement Reviewer (in OneUNOPS or Enterprise system).
Procurement contracts and contractors optimally managed through supplier and contract performance management against agreed benchmarks and through agreed reporting mechanisms.
Implementation of Internal control system.
Elaboration of comments regarding project audit reports of the Business Units, when necessary.

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

Creation, development and management of rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, quality and performance measurement mechanisms.
Ensures that the e-sourcing tools are used in accordance with PG goals and standards in this area.

Knowledge building and Knowledge Sharing

Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for Business Unit personnel on Procurement-related topics.
Lead and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for procurement personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, procurement practice information and best practice benchmarking.
Oversee team’s contributions to Procurement knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in procurement management.
Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
Participation in Common UN agency procurement groups to support establishment and implementation of harmonized procurement services and elaboration of proposals on common services expansion and management of joint procurement for UN Agencies in line with UN reform.

Team Management

Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.
Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

Skills

Contract Management, Market Analysis, Procurement, Risk Management, eProcurement

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required:

Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) preferably in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field with 5 years of relevant experience is required, OR
A First University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in a relevant discipline in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Desired:

For those who do not have a degree in Procurement of Supply Chain Management, a Chartered Institute of Supply and Management (CIPS) Level 4 or similar international Certification is a distinct advantage.
Knowledge of UN/ /UNOPS Procurement Rules and Regulations is a distinct advantage.

Experience Requirements

Required:

A minimum of five (5) years’ relevant professional procurement experience in advising on, implementing policies and procedures to deliver a range of complex procurement programmes and services is required.

A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in managing complex high value procurement cases and managing teams consisting of both locals and internationals