UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change.
If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.
The Head Procurement Section will report to the Chief, Central Support Services Division
- Leads the development of the procurement strategy planning preview and reviews with different field operations and divisions to advise on procurement requirements. Conducts research on procurement initiatives with different stakeholders; identifies and recommends innovative approaches jointly with partners and other internal stakeholders. Evaluates data on local initiatives and overall performance (competitive pricing, product quality and timely delivery). Assesses procurement operations and control mechanisms and advises on appropriate actions;
- Serves as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for the procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities. Plans, develops and manages the various procurement and contractual aspects of projects of diverse services and commodities (e.g. medicines, health related equipment, food commodities, construction and maintenance services, insurance services, information technology, vehicles, etc.);
- Establishes approaches for negotiation of contracts and conducts or coordinates all phases of negotiations with all concerned parties, including the negotiation of disputes arising from contracts. Develops new strategic approaches to contracts as well as new methods for their application based on market research and best practices. Formulates strategies and designs innovative solutions to resolve issues/conflicts arising from complex procurement projects;
- Develops and prepares complex contracts, issues tender invitations, evaluates responses to tender and makes recommendations for finalization of purchases and award of contracts; signs procurement orders up to the authorized limit and, in case the amount exceeds the authorized signature authority, prepares submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official;
- Provides technical advice on procurement activities to headquarters and fields staff to ensure efficient use of resources throughout the phases of the procurement cycle. Organizes internal procurement training and provides technical direction and guidance to more junior Procurement staff; provides authoritative technical and policy advice on all aspects of procurement; develops and disseminates best practices;
- Monitors adherence to contractual agreements, recommends amendments and extensions of contracts, and advises concerned stakeholders on their contractual rights and obligations in consultation with the department of legal affairs. Ensures follow up to audit recommendations closure in a timely manner and ensures risk mitigation measures are in place and monitored. Ensures appropriate procedures and systems are in place to ensure efficiency of the procurement services;
- Prepares a variety of complex procurement-related documents, correspondences and reports to internal and external stakeholders, including responses to audit observations; analyzes the existing procurement practices and procedures and contributes to the development of institutional procurement policies and procedures;
- Controls and oversees the maintenance of contract management documentation, information and records, contracts, tenders and bids, suppliers and claims information ensuring their accuracy and confidentiality at all times. Liaises with relevant units and offices to implement new initiatives for vendor performance and contract management and align with good practices;
- Provide support to UNRWA field offices, both regular and emergency, including undertake support missions to assist with the field procurement operations or set up of new projects, as needed or requested.
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default
Deciding and Initiating Action
Planning and Organizing
Applying Technical Expertise
Delivering Results
Managing Complexity and Change
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in business administration, public administration, supply chain, law or a related field.
- A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible relevant experience in complex procurement, contract management, supply chain or administration in the public or private sector dealing with large size operations, is required.
- At least five years should be directly related to first-hand procurement, strategic at the international level, is required.
- Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a
candidate for an international post must have a minimum of two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number, is required.
- Specialized procurement experience in the provision of medicines and/or food commodities and/or IT equipment and /or services and/or in construction projects, is required.
- Knowledge of and skills in use of procurement related functions in ERP and other procurement related information management systems, is required.
- Experience in providing support services to Field Offices under humanitarian, development, or conflict context, is desirable.
- Experience in conducting procurement at the international level for an intergovernmental organization, governmental organization, or a large multi-national organization, is desirable.
Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.
Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post.
Equivalency:
A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.
UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.
At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.
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.