Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Acquisitions and Requisitions Unit, Supply Chain Management Service of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba. The Acquisitions and Requisitions Unit coordinates the Mission’s demand planning, development, and management of the acquisition process for various services and commodities while considering suitable sourcing options, including global and regional systems contracts, local market conditions, logistics forecasting, determining inventory management policies, supply schedules, and prioritization of operational supply chain requirement.
The Acquisition Planning Officer reports directly to the Chief Acquisitions and Requisitions Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, The Acquisition Planning Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Prior to the budget formulation, liaises with technical units, former Self Accounting Units (SAUs) to prepare their projected demand in order to establish the mission’s annual demand plan (i.e. draft acquisition plan) based on mission priorities;
• Consolidates budget projections and demand plans from technical units through review of stockholdings, consumption patterns, procurement cycle times, requirements and forecasts of internal and external customers;
• Liaises with UN Global Service Centre (UNGSC) and/or UNHQ regarding the submission of the mission’s demand plan as input for the consolidated global acquisition plan;
• Monitors mission requisitions of the assigned categories to ensure purchase requests are based on forecasted plan;
• Liaises with UNGSC and/or counterparts in other Missions on items availability prior to making decision to acquire new items either for replacement or additional requirement;
• Initiates actions leading to the implementation of the Mission Acquisition Plan, taking into account different sourcing options, including global and regional systems contracts, local market and other conditions, logistics forecasting, inventory holdings, consumption patterns, supply schedules, and ongoing assessment and prioritization of operational supply chain requirements;
• Contributes to plan, develop and manage the acquisition process of various services and commodities (e.g. information technology and communication equipment, vehicles, medical equipment and supplies, food rations, fuel, construction and building maintenance materials, stationery and office supplies, furniture and fixtures, accommodation and office equipment etc.), including planning and coordination of transportation requirements and consolidation of inbound deliveries, service contracts requirements and maintenance plans of assigned services, taking into account the different procurement methods, lead times and sourcing options available to the Mission;
• Contributes to the execution of internal controls over acquisition activities and support functions;
• Advises recipient entities and technical units periodically on the progress of acquisition activities and detailed status of implementation of the acquisition plan, including a full range of procurement and other supply chain issues encountered, providing them with support and guidance at all stages of the procurement cycle, and prepares the quarterly review for submission to UNGSC and Department of Operational Support (DOS);
• Meets regularly with internal stakeholders to review the Mission Acquisition Plan based on changing priorities and emergencies as related to the assigned materials/services groups to ensure an efficient and cohesive approach to managing areas of mutual interest;
• Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including review of cost estimates from technical units, monitoring performance parameters and critical indicators and reporting on work program performance;
• Prepares mission level Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines and instructions governing the acquisition planning and requisitioning process; contributes to the preparation of SOPs, guidelines and instructions governing the procurement process, including delivery and payment (Procure to Pay);
• Devises and maintains a computer-based system to track Mission-procured Contracts during their lifecycle allowing their timely extension as well as providing detailed statement of expenditures;
• Prepares integrated, timely and accurate reports to monitor and track all aspects of the Mission supply chain to ensure an uninterrupted supply of goods and services so as to meet operational requirements;
• Provide guidance to and supervise new/junior staff;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in the areas of supply chain management, in particular acquisition planning, procurement and logistics processes. Proven analytical skills, including ability to research, analyze data, and develop recommendations and plans as well as to review and edit the work of others. Knowledge of, and ability to apply various United Nations rules, regulations, policies and guidelines, in particular procurement related policies and practices, in work situations. Ability to provide technical and procedural advice on a broad range of supply chain management areas.
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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Planning and 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.

Education

High School Diploma (or equivalent) is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Technical or vocational certificate in at least one of the following areas is required: logistics, supply chain management, business administration and procurement.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience, including at least three (3) years at the international level, in supply chain management, logistics, procurement or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first level university degree.

Experience in providing logistics and supply chain support services in a conflict or post conflict environment is desirable.

Experience working with SAP SCPT (Supply Chain Planning Tool), Budget Planning and Consolidation (BPC), ECC (ERP Central Component), and SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) or similar is desirable.

Practical experience in carrying out data analyses, understanding of statistical forecasting techniques and models to interpret the outcomes accurately is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN secretariat. For this vacancy, fluency (oral and written) in English or French is required. Working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

United Nations Considerations

According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.