Job Title: Chief, Procurement Section, P4
Department/ Office: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT VIENNA
Duty Station: VIENNA
Posting Period: 29 July 2011-27 September 2011
Job Opening number: 11-PRO-UN OFFICE AT VIENNA-20394-R-VIENNA
This position is located in the Procurement Section of the Division for Management, United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). The Chief, Procurement Section will work under the direct supervision of the Director, Division for Management.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
• Serve as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for the supervision of a team carrying out world-wide procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with highly complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities, in accordance with established United Nations procurement procedures and the United Nations Financial Rules and Regulations. Plan and lead the procurement activities for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and for UNOV.
• Provide policy procurement guidance to the Director for Management as well as technical advice on procurement strategic activities to all levels of officials of substantive units during all phases of the procurement cycle.
• Analyze, evaluate and assign procurement requests and ensure that technical specifications are thorough in terms of completeness;
• Monitor and supervise the development and preparation of highly complex contracts for procurement of non-routine and technologically advanced commodities or long-range services; monitor the issuance of international tender invitations; supervise the evaluation of responses to tender, and make recommendations for finalization of purchases and award of contracts; sign procurement orders up to the authorized limit, monitor the exercise of delegated procurement authority, and, in cases where the amount exceeds authorized signature authority, prepare submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and facilitate subsequent approval by the authorized official.
• Develop new strategic and tactical approaches to contracts, as well as new methods for their application, based on market research.
• Supervise the implementation of organizational procurement policies and procedures; monitor and ensure the development of standards and criteria for the evaluation of goods, services and supplier capacity.
• Supervise the identification, review, qualification and registration of potential suppliers; evaluate the productive capacities and performance of manufacturers to identify supply sources; approve Source Selection Plan for formal procurement cases.
• Establish approaches for negotiations and conduct and/or coordinate all phases of negotiations with all concerned parties, including the negotiation of disputes arising from contracts.
• Carry out capacity building and fact-finding missions to UNODC field offices.
• Manage the work and supervise the staff of the Section; distribute the workload amongst staff through the Procurement Tracking System; ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion; spearhead the on-going automation of office procedures.
• Contribute to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues.
• Participate in internationonal, regional or national meetings on procurement related issues and provide relevant programmatic/substantive expertise; also hold organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knows internationally recognized procurement standards and all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for highly complex and technologically advanced goods and services; has knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex procurement and contract issues; knows quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity systems and identifies sources of supply, market trends and pricing; shapes and influences agreements with requisitioning units and vendors; applies technical expertise to resolve a range of complex and/or sensitive issues/problems; develops 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.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
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.
Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, law or related fields. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contract management, administration or related area, preferably in the United Nations system or similar international organization, is required. Working experience in United Nations field offices/operations is highly desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, i.e. oral and written proficiency is required. Knowledge of German is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Written assessment and competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Staff members are subject to the autority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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