The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) works to strengthen the efforts on drug and crime prevention. The UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) is based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan with Programme Offices in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Its activities address the impact that drugs, crime and terrorism have on the overall development situation in the region.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Operations Manager and overall guidance of the Regional Representative, the Procurement Officer/Head of Procurement Unit provides leadership in execution of procurement services in UNODC ROCA ensuring their effectiveness, transparency and integrity. The Procurement Officer/Head of Procurement section promotes a client-focused, quality and results- oriented approach in the Unit.

The Procurement Officer/Head of Procurement section is a key staff member of ROCA Programme Support Unit that provides operational support to all UNODC Offices in Central Asia and Southern Caucuses region for resolving complex procurement-related issues and information delivery. The Procurement Officer/Head of Procurement Unit supervises Procurement Assistant and Travel/Admin Assistant.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Inputs to elaboration and implementation of operational strategies
• Management of procurement processes
• Implementation of sourcing strategy
• Control of office and project assets and organization of logistical services;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Full compliance of procurement activities with UN rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, analysis of parameters in support of proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system.
•    UNODC ROCA Procurement business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Procurement, control of the workflows in the Procurement Unit in coordination with supervisor.
• Analysis and proposals on cost saving and reduction strategies in the UNODC ROCA.
• Analysis and proposals on elaboration of contract strategy, sourcing strategy, quality management, supplier selection, improvement of procurement processes in the UNODC ROCA;
• Integration of UNODC ROCA procurement operations with UN Business Operations Strategy in countries of the region;

• Development and recommendation of strategy for the effective implementation of procurement policies and reforms;
• Preparation of procurement plans for the office and projects and their implementation monitoring;
• Defining solicitation strategies in collaboration with the Requisitioner, upon review of the acquisition plan and in alignment with the respective category management strategy;
• Reviewing the requirements and evaluation criteria and ensuring that they are appropriate from a procurement perspective;
• Leading the sourcing process and conducting supply market analysis, including issuing Requests for Expression of Interest (REOI);
• Developing pricing structures and commercial evaluation models that allow for transparency in costs and effective competition;
• Preparing solicitation documents, as well as facilitating and managing the solicitation process;
• Reviewing the technical evaluation to ensure that it was conducted in accordance with the pre-established technical evaluation criteria and that the narrative of the report corresponds with the matrix and the scoring/rating;
• Carrying out the commercial evaluation of bids as per pre-defined evaluation criteria;
• Preparing the recommendation for an award and submitting the case to the committee on contracts, if applicable;
• Preparing and issuing contracts and purchase orders;
• Requesting and ensuring the safeguarding and return of any performance securities, as applicable;
• Performing contract administration duties in coordination with the Requisitioner and staff responsible for contract management, as applicable, in support of the Requisitioner;
• Performing contract closeout activities.
• Conducting of market research to keep abreast of market developments, research and analyze data, production patterns and availability of goods and services;
• Maintain centralized filing system for procurement documents including tenders, bids and purchase orders, contracts;
• Maintaining electronic databases/lists as per the needs of office including contracts.

• Management of the procurement activities in the region, development and dissemination of best practices, leading and supervision of procurement work team.
• Development and recommendation of strategy for the effective implementation of procurement policies and reforms
• Development joint procurement strategy, initiatives, for the office and projects in order to maximize efficiency of the procurement process
• Preparation of procurement plans for the office in order to carry out successful procurement activities in a timely and efficient manner according to all financial and procurement guidelines Management and conducting of planning, solicitation, negotiation and, if necessary, termination of contractual and procurement action.

• Serves as UNODC ROCA Asset Focal Point;
• Ensures proper control of office and project assets, implementation of physical verification and transfer of assets to the beneficiaries/grantees;
• Preparation of asset inventory reports;
• Review and approval of Travel Requests in the Umoja platform making sure that the trip is arranged in line with travel entitlements for staff, consultants, UNODC visitors, ensuring that the travel arrangement conform with the UN rules for most direct and economical option;
• Timely amendment or cancellation of Travel Requests as needed and advised by Travel Administrators and Certifying Officers.
• Monitoring of performance of Travel Management Companies throughout the Region. Recommendations on improvement, expansion of scope of suppliers, etc.
• Arrangement of goods delivery and payment in accordance with the terms of contracts/POs; arrangement of custom clearance as needed and certification of receipt of the services or goods
• Monitoring of timely disposal of project equipment upon completion of projects in accordance with the UNODC procedures.

• Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the UNODC ROCA focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Participation in the organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on Procurement.
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Procurement.
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Perform other duties as required.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall UNODC ROCA efficiency in procurement management and success in introduction and implementation of operational strategies. Accurate, thoroughly researched information, timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and overall timely delivery of UNODC ROCA programmes and projects.

Functional Competencies:             

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 1.2:  Maintaining a network of contacts

• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 1.2: Basic research and analysis

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 1.2: Fundamental knowledge of own discipline

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
• Analyzes the requirements and synthesizes proposals
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

Level 1.2: Basic research and analysis

• Researches and documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system

Design and Implementation of Management Systems

Level 1.2: Research and analysis and making recommendations on management systems

• Maintains information/databases on system design features
• Develops simple system components

Client Orientation

Level 1.2: Establishing effective client relationships

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients
• Actively supports the interests of the client by making choices and setting priorities to meet their needs

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management

Level 1.2: Basic monitoring

• Gathers, analyzes and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results-based management systems
• Monitors the implementation of corporate accountability and results-based management systems and makes recommendations to enhance performance of business units

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making
• UNDP or UN Procurement Certification Programme

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field.

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field.

  Experience:

• Up to 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in procurement management. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of web-based management system.

• Experience of IPSAS is highly desirable.

Up to 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in procurement management. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of web-based management system.

Experience of IPSAS is highly desirable.

Language requirements:

• For the position fluency in oral and written English and Russian are requirement. Excellent drafting skills for routine correspondence. Knowledge of other UN and Central Asia languages would be desirable.

For the position fluency in oral and written English and Russian are requirement. Excellent drafting skills for routine correspondence. Knowledge of other UN and Central Asia languages would be desirable.

Other:

Proficiency in Excel, Outlook, Word and Power Point. Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP and SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) in the areas of scheduling, procurement and logistics processes is desirable.

Important applicant information

All posts in the NO categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension