Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Procurement Unit of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. The Chief of Unit, Procurement reports to the Chief Supply Chain Management.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Unit, Procurement will be responsible for the following duties: Plans, develops and manages the procurement activities of mission involving multi-million dollar expenditures for procurement of a broad range of commodities and services.; Advises the senior officials; provides technical and policy advice on all aspects of procurement; develops and disseminates best practices.; Leads and directs a procurement work team.; Plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs.; Analyzes unusually complex and/or critical procurement proposals of financial or operational impact; determines appropriate strategy/approach to best serve institutional interests, and ensures implementation, including the authorization of exceptions to established rules, practices and procedures, as necessary following consultation with specialist procurement expert.; Directs, manages and conducts planning, solicitation, negotiation, and, if necessary, termination of contractual and procurement action.; Approves up to authorized limit within delegated authority, or, in cases where the amount exceeds the authorized limit, recommends approval of procurement contracts/purchase orders through submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official.; Develops proposals on revisions to procurement policies and procedures.; Develops and recommends a strategy for the effective implementation of procurement policies and reforms.; Represents the organization in critical meetings with senior officials internally and government officials and in negotiations with senior executives of various commercial organizations to conclude major contracts.; Provides direction and guidance to more junior staff.; Acts as OIC Supply Chain Management pillar when required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Strong theoretical background and substantive experience of internationally recognized procurement standards and of all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for operations relating to construction contracting for large office building type facilities or related infrastructure projects.; Direct experience and knowledge of construction renovation projects, architecture, leasing, insurance, project management and estimating or quantity surveying.; Knowledge of leading-edge procurement methods and good negotiating skills.; 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 in engineering / construction-related areas.; 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.; 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.; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; Is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, law or a related field. A first-level university degree, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible managerial experience in procurement, contract management, and contract administration in the public or private sector, of which five (5) years of direct first-hand procurement and/or contracting within the Supply Chain Management experience is required. Proven experience in managing a peacekeeping Procurement Unit/Section or related supply chain pillar in a complex international environment is desirable. Proven experience in procurement and financial management systems (SAP, ERM) is desirable. Experience in the end-to-end supply chain, including demand and acquisition planning, is desirable. Experience supporting mandate implementation is desirable. A recognised qualification certification in the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Level 4 (or equivalent) is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language may be an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.