Procurement Specialist, NOC, Niamey, Niger #130933 (Temporary Appointment: 364 days)

The Procurement Specialist will support the administration, management, implementation, and coordination of activities related to the acquisition of goods, works, and consultancy services under the FCSE (Education Sector Common Fund). They will ensure all procurement and management actions are conducted professionally, transparently, and ethically, adhering to partner requirements and guidelines.

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.

In its role as the GPE (Global Partnership for Education) grant agent and coordinator of the education sector pool, UNICEF has established a management unit to oversee the implementation mechanisms of the pooled fund, minimize fiduciary risks, and report to all pooled fund partners on performance in alignment with the Procedures Manual, the partnership framework priorities, and the program objectives.

The education sector common fund is a collaborative, multi-partner initiative supporting Niger, anchored by the country's Finance Laws and managed by the Government according to a procedures manual rooted in national systems.

UNICEF's role is to coordinate partner support, facilitate the use of authorized procedures, monitor the appropriate and efficient use of resources, and report on field outcomes for the benefit of Nigerien students.

How can you make a difference?? 

The Procurement Specialist will support the administration, management, implementation, and coordination of activities related to the acquisition of goods, works, and consultancy services under the FCSE (Education Sector Common Fund). They will ensure all procurement and management actions are conducted professionally, transparently, and ethically, adhering to partner requirements and guidelines.

Objectives of the Position:

• Ensure effective use of established procurement procedures with CAMOS and contributing partners, while ensuring quality control.
• Verify the existence and adequacy of core procurement tools (Operations Manual, Contract Management Directives) compliant with FCSE Procedures.
• Oversee the appropriate and compliant use of contract management tools aligned with FCSE needs, including the annual procurement plan and periodic updates.
• Develop monitoring mechanisms for contract implementation.
• Establish necessary mechanisms and practices to maintain the procurement system's integrity, including classification systems.

Main Responsibilities:

• Participate in the creation, drafting, and review of the FCSE procurement strategy.
• Develop mechanisms and practices to ensure procurement integrity, including a procurement management system covering planning, monitoring progress, and analyzing gaps between outcomes and the procurement plan.
• Ensure quality control and provide technical advice on the development of terms of reference, technical specifications, tender documents, and contract clauses.
• Review no-objection requests per acquisition thresholds and types.
• Verify compliance with agreed action plans following no-objections, oversight missions, and/or ex-post reviews.
• Advise on addressing claims, appeals, or complaints arising during procurement processes.
• Collaborate with finance services (CAMOS-based Technical Assistance) to ensure procurement is fully integrated into fund planning and management.
• Contribute to procurement-related reports and project progress updates.
• Coordinate timely receipt of no-objection notices and update all FCSE partners on operations, providing analysis on partner objections and tracking implementation progress with CAMOS.

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

• An advanced university degree is required in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related Social Science field.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in the relevant field in Supply, Logistics, Procurement, Contracting, Administration and/or other related technical fields.
• Strong knowledge of procurement procedures, particularly for donor-funded projects.
• High integrity and problem-solving abilities within public procurement.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency with standard software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, and other communication tools).
• Fluency in French is required with good knowledge of English.  Another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language 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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Note: internal candidates who apply for this temporary appointment may keep the link with their positions for a maximum of 364 days, subject to approval by the representative following agreement with the Head of Section or Zonal Office.

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 female candidates 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.

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.