Contracts Officer (Education), P2, TA, #121080, WSEC, UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen

The position reports to the Contracts Manager Education, within the Water, Sanitation and Education Centre (WSEC) at UNICEF Supply Division. The Education unit is responsible for procurement of Education items in support of UNICEF programmes worldwide.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children 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, Hope

 

How can you make a difference?

The position reports to the Contracts Manager Education, within the Water, Sanitation and Education Centre (WSEC) at UNICEF Supply Division. The Education unit is responsible for procurement of Education items in support of UNICEF programmes worldwide.

The incumbent provides support to the contracting unit (Education) to ensure timely supply action in support to UNICEF programmes globally. Analysis market trends, supplier performance, supports Contracts Manager in overall management of Education contracting function and may be tasked to support special projects as deemed appropriate. Provides oversight risk management support to ensure supply risks are anticipated and mitigated, resulting in supply security for education items.  Monitors Education Kit component Just in time warehouse replenishment with zero stock out of products for packing of Education kits which are essential part of Emergency Supply List. Maintains good collaboration with relevant centres within Supply Division namely Quality Assurance, Warehouse and Global Transport Centres and with Country offices in case of direct shipments. Responsible for drafting/preparation of periodic reports and/or provide input on Education product analysis as and when required.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Ensure all procurement activities are in compliance with UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations, Supply Division Procedures and all other applicable procurement procedures.
2. Review requirements to ensure completeness and correctness, identify priority activities and assigning tasks to relevant team members in consultation with Contracts Manager; adjust priorities as required; develops clear goals and resources to complete work on time.
3. Monitors and analyses procurement trends and KPI of all Education commodity groups; suggests improvement plans based on past trend and future forecast where applicable.  Prepares periodic procurement data/reports of Education materials with best optimization proposal ensuring no stock out of Education Kits and other standard items.
4. Manages solicitation and evaluate bid/proposal/quotations to ensure competitiveness, quality, and conformity to specified requirements, clarifies offers and negotiates with suppliers as appropriate and submits final outcome to Contracts Manager/Centre Chief.
5. Compile and present procurement data, prepare all relevant supporting documents and recommend award of Long-Term Arrangement and/or purchase orders; may authorize purchase documents in line with delegated authority; and in cases where amount exceeds authorized threshold, prepare submissions for Contracts Review Committee while ensuring all such submissions are in line with UNICEF procedures having required documentation.
6. Review workload and proposes optimal work distribution to ensure quick response to procurement requests both for regular and emergency orders until goods are received by consignee.
7. Work in close collaboration with other Business Centres in Supply Division i.e., Quality Assurance Centre, Warehouse Inventory Management Centre, Transport Centre, Procurement Services Centre, Product Innovation Centre, Financial Management Centre and manages complaints database in collaboration with Quality Assurance Centre to ensure successful implementation of procurement cycle.
8. Supports Contracts Manager in developing and roll out of new projects providing relevant data, analysis, write up for joint review and follow up.
9. Collaboration with Programme Division, Country Offices and Supply Division Warehouse in finding appropriateness of products and/or suggest alternative best suited for the purpose to ensure timely access to products both by country offices and Warehouse for kit packing.
10. Consult and liaise with other UN Agencies, UNGM database and Country offices/Regional offices to find synergy in procurement activities such as piggy backing on other UN agency Long Term Arrangement especially for commodities whereby other agencies have comparative advantage.
11. Systematically reviews UNICEF Supply Dashboard information to gain insight with a view to leveraging existing procurement opportunities to leverage with an aim to have more geographically diverse supplier base and sustainability – sourcing closer to demand.
12. Work closely with Education Technical unit, QAC and Shipping unit reviewing supplier performance of timely delivery, product quality and/or manage complaints.

 

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

Education

• A completed 1st University degree (bachelor’s degree) in Business Administration, Commerce and/or Law.
• Supply and Procurement Certification/Diploma desirable.

Work Experience

• Minimum two years progressively responsible professional work experience in supply and procurement
• Experience in procurement of education items as well knowledge of worldwide sources for education products.

Functional Competencies:

• Good analytical skills with proficiency in handling large and complex data sets in excel
• Negotiation and complaint handling
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to use all current job-related computer software and various office applications, internet navigation and databases for market research.
• Ability to keep abreast of contracting modalities, new markets, new programmes.
• Ability to deliver quality work that is timely, complete, and accurate.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with key stakeholders such as the warehouse, country offices, suppliers, and other UN agencies as relevant.

Languages

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

 

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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.

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.

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.