Procurement Officer Job at UNEP Nairobi – UN Jobs

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CHIEF OF SECTION, PROCUREMENT

• Job Opening ID: 256427
• Job Network : Logistics, Transportation and Supply Chain
• Job Family : Procurement
• Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-5
• Duty Station : NAIROBI
• Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme
• Date Posted : Apr 16, 2025
• Deadline : Apr 30, 2025

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Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s Corporate Services Division is the guardian of UNEP’s corporate interest, mitigating its exposure to risk and supporting the organization with management tools, plans and related capacity building. It oversees UNEP’s efficient and effective management, in line with UNEP’s accountability requirements, rules, regulations and UN core values.

This post is located in UNEP’s Procurement & Partnerships Unit (PPU), Corporate Services Division (CSD) at the Nairobi duty station. The PPU provides seamless integration in operational areas which support and enhance programme delivery on behalf of Corporate Services Division (CSD). Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Plans, develops and manages all procurement activities in support of UNEP’s programme of work, including for its duty stations away from Nairobi headquarters as required.
• Serves as senior procurement expert and advisor with responsibility for the global procurement requirements of UNEP of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with highly complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities.
• Directs, manages and conducts the holistic end-to-end phase of acquisition process, i.e. procurement planning, solicitation, negotiation, and contract establishment and administration preparation of submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official, in close collaboration with UNON procurement service and any applicable service providers.
• Provides technical advice on procurement activities to senior officials and divisional focal points during all phases of the procurement cycle, including appropriate strategy/approach and ensures implementation in line with the established regulations, rules, and procedures, including authorization for applicable exceptions that best serve the institutional interests.
• Provides policy guidance to the Director of the Corporate Services Division, on entity specific implementation of corporate strategies and inter-offices policies and procedures, in relation to procurement and related functions such as contracting, logistics and/or supply chain management.
• Analyzes and evaluates procurement requests and ensures appropriateness of technical specifications.
• Leads new tactical approaches to contracts, as well as new methods for their application, based on market research.
• Reviews and ensures the appropriateness of and maintains records of delegations of procurement authority across UNEP, including offices away from Nairobi, to ensure up-to-date and relevant delegations at all times, in close consultations with the UNHQ.
• Oversees the delivery of periodic training and briefing sessions to Heads of offices / requisitioners and any relevant officials to whom procurement authority has been delegated so that they keep abreast of latest developments in procurement and have a solid understanding of processes to be followed and principles to be applied.
• Represents UNEP at inter-agency meetings, seminars etc. on substantive-related issues.
• Leads the implementation and operationalization of UNEP Partnership policy and procedures, to ensure the due diligence review to ensure robust monitoring and compliance to the established policy and procedures, with a focus on optimal balancing of process simplification and internal .
• Conducts review and provide strategic advisory in risk assessments, due diligence review on the selection of Implementing partners, in particular for the procurement process and action taken.
• Leads engagement and coordination to bring alignment in various assessment models and partners currently used in the organization.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision, fostering teamwork and communication among staff for capacity building.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and of all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for highly complex and technologically advanced goods and services. Knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex procurement and contract issues. Knowledge of quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity systems and ability to identify sources of supply, market trends and pricing. Ability to shape and influence agreements with requisitioning units and vendors. Ability to apply technical expertise to resolve a range of complex and/or sensitive issues/problems. Ability to develop procurement policies, procedures and new programmes. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, law or a related field.
• A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

• Professional certification, such as Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Diploma (CIPS Level 4) or other equivalent is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contracts management, and supply chain management in a multicultural institution, is required. At least five (5) years of experience handling direct procurement in an international setting, is required.
• Experience of establishing due diligence review framework and operationalizing the review of Implementing partners is required.
• Experience in leading the contractual negotiation and review efforts for the new frontier technology including legal review is required.
• Experience in organizational restructuring/process simplification projects, in particular on procurement policies and procedures is desirable.
• Experience in leading commercial negotiations for complex and high-value contracts of diverse portfolio in an international setting is desirable.
• Experience in client service management reform initiatives is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
• NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas

Assessment

• Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

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