Procurement Officer, P-2, TA (364 days), #136773, PFP, Procurement,Rome, Italy

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job it is a calling. UNICEF is a place where careers are built, we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a Champion

UNICEF PFP has an ongoing requirement for complex services and for procurement guidance in a broad range of areas, including in the digital domain. Such areas include specialized innovative financing, fundraising services, market research, corporate social responsibility, corporate screening, IT, event delivery, and other areas as required. The incumbent will provide continuous guidance on procurement for fundraising and support the IF Hub with their contracting needs. The incumbent will be responsible for carrying out all procurement activities for assigned goods & service requirements, from planning through to supplier performance management.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the procurement manager the incumbent will be responsible for the below:

1. Provide timely procurement support and guidance to the IF Hub and PFP clients, prioritizing value for money

• Ensure the IF Hub team is well informed about the procurement policies and procedures and has the templates and guidelines they require to prepare their requests.
• Offer continuous guidance on procurement of innovative financing mechanisms and overall fundraising activities, advising on the most appropriate procurement strategies.
• Support procurement planning through close coordination with the IF Hub.
• Provide technical support in preparation of tender documents, and input on specifications, facilitating cost-effective and efficient procurement.
• Offer proactive assistance to the PFP Procurement team in support of the overall work reviewing ongoing and future procurement requirements.
• Collaborate efficiently and effectively with all members of the procurement team in order to maximize the outputs of the team and achieve the unit’s objectives.

2. Develop tender strategies for the contracting of complex services and goods.

• Compile lists of possible sources of procurement undertaking market research.
• Prepare and issue international tenders. Manage bidding processes using UNICEF web tendering tool, and orienting service providers/suppliers on the use of the tool.
• Prepare Contracts Review Committee (CRC) submissions for orders above the CRC threshold and present the cases to the CRC committee for review and approval.
• Develop and prepare complex contracts/LTA’s for procurement of both once-off and long-term requirements for routine and non-routine goods and services.
• Effectively manage ongoing contracts and LTA’s for the provision of goods and services to ensure good performance of service provider/supplier.
• Proactively initiate renewal of contracts before their expiry.
• Monitor contracts and Long-Term Agreements with tools used by the Procurement team.
• Carry out other procurement related tasks as requested by the Procurement Manager.

DELIVERABLES:

• Efficient and effective procurement planning and support for IF Hub and PFP internal customers, enabling timely contract issuance for goods and services and contributing to Procurement Unit objectives.
• Proactive engagement with PFP Procurement Unit and the IF Hub Partners to ensure competitive sourcing in line with UNICEF procurement rules and regulations, maximizing value for money and safeguarding UNICEF’s reputation.
• Timely, relevant responses and assistance to evolving needs and situations, with a focus on value for money and timely procurement processing of IF Hub contracts/LTA’s.
• Process improvements proposed and implemented to increase efficiency and effectiveness, delivering best value for money for the organization.

 Estimated Duration of the contract

• 364 days

Reporting To:

• The Procurement Manager

Working Place:

• Rome, Italy

To qualify as a Champion for every child you will have…

Education:

• A first-level University Degree in one of the following fields: Business Administration, Management or related technical field, Economics, Supply chain Management, Procurement, contract/commercial law, is required. 

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in procurement of services, supply, & contracting, administration and/or other directly related technical fields is required. 
• UNICEF/UN experience is considered an asset. 
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is an asset. 

Skills

• Good analytical and negotiating skills are required.
• Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and material resources is required.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organization is required.
• Fast learner, adapts and responds to change, tolerates ambiguity is required.
• Ability to contribute to formulation of strategies and policies is an asset.
• Good knowledge of latest developments and technology in supply chain management is considered an asset.
• Good understanding of supply chain processes, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, logistics and delivery, monitoring and evaluation is an asset.
• Good knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of supply chain issues, ethics and risk management of supply chain operations is considered an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) are required.

During the recruitment process, we assess candidates following the UNICEF competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.