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Procurement Associate

Port Moresby

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Port Moresby
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Administrative support
    • Procurement
  • Closing Date: 2024-11-06

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP Papua New Guinea concentrates its efforts on building the country’s capacity to promote inclusive, pro-poor growth, effective governance and sustainable and resilient development.  Leveraging its technical, coordination and administrative strengths, UNDP Country Office continues to provide integrated policy advice, evidence-based solutions, quality assurance and management services supporting the national and sub-national implementation of a growing portfolio of activities. 

UNDP Papua New Guinea strives to ensure its procurement function and practices are an integral part of UNDP’s competitive advantage as a development partner of choice. This requires placing more attention on strategically integrating procurement at the project design stage, stimulating innovation in specifications and technologies, and adopting more sustainable production and consumption practices that align with UNDPs sustainable development goals.  Sustainable procurement means making sure products, services, and purchases are as sustainable as possible with the lowest environmental impact and most positive social results. In implementing UNDP strategic procurement priorities, Country offices will strive to use flexible methods for high-value/low-risk and timely delivery that meet the needs of its clients and key stakeholders.

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Procurement Analyst, the Procurement Associate ensures execution of effective, efficient and transparent procurement services and processes in CO.  The Procurement Associate may supervise and/or lead the support staff of the CO Procurement Unit.  S/he promotes a client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach in the Unit. 

The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with Operations, Programme and project teams in the Country Office, Region and UNDP HQ and with vendors to exchange information and resolve complex procurement-related issues.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. 


Duties and Responsibilities

Implement sustainable procurement strategies and policies that are in alignment with principles of fairness, integrity and transparency to achieve best value for money.

  • Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, through implementation of effective internal controls. 
  • Elaborate the contents of internal procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and map CO procurement business processes in consultation with direct supervisor and office management. 

Organize procurement processes for CO, projects, and other UN Agencies.

  • Provide guidance and inputs to the project team on procurement plans for the country office and projects. 
  • Prepare and conduct RFQ, ITB or RFP, and receive and evaluate quotations, bids or proposals in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations. 
  • Prepare Purchase orders and contracts in and outside e-procurement, prepare recurring purchase orders for contracting services, and create vendors and buyer profiles in e-procurement.
  • Prepare submissions for internal procurement review committees (CAP, RACP, and ACP). 
  • Prepare reports on procurements in CO. 
  • Implement or partake in joint procurement processes for the UN agencies in line with the UN reform.

Implement sourcing strategies to find best values in the marketplace and align purchasing strategy to project and CO goals.

  • Develop and update rosters of suppliers. 
  • Implement supplier selection and evaluation. 

Facilitate procurement knowledge building and knowledge sharing in CO.

  • Organize procurement training for operations and project staff.
  • Organize procurement training for vendors on e-procurement modules.
  • Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in procurement.
  • Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
     

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise support staff in Procurement Unit 

 
Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Achieve Results:  LEVEL 2:  Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
  • Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 2:  Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking 
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2:  Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
  • Act with Determination:  LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2:  Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 2:  Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

  • UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

  • Procurement - Sourcing
    • Ability to find, evaluate and engage suppliers of goods and services 
  • Procurement  - Financial Analysis
    • Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance related transactions to determine their performance and suitability 
  • Procurement - Procurement Management
    • The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source. 
  • Procurement  - Stakeholder Management
    • Ability to work with incomplete information and balance competing interests to create value for all stakeholders
  • Business Management – Customer Satisfaction/ClientManagement
    • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers' needs.
    • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy
    • Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests
    • Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns
  • Business Management - Risk Management
    • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
  • Business Management - Communication
    • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
    • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • Secondary education is required   
  • A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or equivalent will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
  • CIPS level 2 is a requirement for this position. If certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year
Experience:
  • Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative experience is required at the national and international level. Experience in public sector procurement of goods and services would be an advantage. 
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP.

Language:

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Fluency in Tok Pisin, or Hiri Motu, the national languages of the duty station is an asset but not requirement for local staff. This is due to the country specific situation as there are more than 800 languages spoken
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
 
Disclaimer
 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
 
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
 
Non-discrimination
 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  
 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
 
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