Chief, Procurement Unit --United Nations, Beirut, Lebanon

Posting Title: Chief, Procurement Unit, P3
   
Job Code Title: PROCUREMENT OFFICER
   
Department/ Office: Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
   
Duty Station: BEIRUT
   
Posting Period: 6 March 2015-5 May 2015
   
Job Opening number: 15-PRO-ESCWA-41382-R-BEIRUT(G) 

This post is located within the General Services Section (GSS), Administrative Services Division (ASD) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).  The Chief, Procurement Unit reports directly to the Director of Administration and will be under the overall supervision of the Director of ASD.
		Responsibilities
	The Chief, Procurement Unit will be responsible for carrying out the following: (1) Plans and develops ESCWA procurement and contractual activities of significant complexity related to world-wide procurement of diverse services and commodities (e.g. information technology, electronic equipment, vehicles, medicines, building maintenance, office supplies, furniture etc.) taking into account local economic and other conditions; (2) Advises requisitioning units and recipient entities on the full range of procurement issues, providing support and guidance at all stage of the procurement cycle; (3) Manages/Supervises a procurement work team, plans, allocates work assignments, coaches, trains, monitors, evaluates staff and participates in recruitment and selection of new procurement staff; (4) Prepares/oversees preparation and distribution of invitations to tender and manages/conducts all aspects of bids/proposal evaluation, including preparation of contracts; (5) Establishes and maintains work program and schedule for ongoing contracts and newly-planned ones; (6) Negotiates with senior supplier representatives, signs procurement orders up to the authorized limit, and in cases where the amount exceeds authorized signature authority, submits cases to the contracts committees (Local Committee on Contracts [LCC]/Headquarters Committee on Contracts [HCC]) for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official; (7) Conducts market research to keep abreast of market developments; researches and analyzes market reports, production patterns and availability of goods and services; (8) Establishes approaches for negotiations and conducts all phases of negotiations with concerned, including negotiations of disputes arising from contracts; (9) Identifies new technologies and products/services, evaluates and recommends potential supply sources and participates in the incorporation of research results into the procurement program; (10) Oversees adherence to contractual agreements, recommends amendments and extensions of contracts, and advises concerned parties on contractual rights and obligations; (11) Prepares a variety of procurement-related documents, contracts, communications, guidelines, instructions, etc.
		Competencies
	Professionalism:  Knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and of all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for a diverse range of goods and services;  Knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex contract issues;  Knowledge of quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity systems and ability to identify sources of supply, market trends and pricing. 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.  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. 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. 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 improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Building Trust:  Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
		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 two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
		Work Experience
	A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in procurement or contract management is required.  At least three years of experience in procurement or contract management within the United Nations is desirable.
		Languages
	English and French are the working languages of the United Nations.  For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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