Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates) 
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

UNDP’s Strategic Plan lays out a bold ambition to ensure that low-carbon, affordable and reliable energy is available to an additional 500 million people by the year 2025, especially for those hardest to reach and in crisis contexts. Energy-Signature Solution 5 - Energy: Cleaner, affordable, renewable energy for everyone. Energy is a priority in UNDP’s current strategic plan as sustainable energy is vital to poverty eradication, social progress, gender equality, low-carbon and climate-resilient development. 

Uzbekistan’s schools have outdated and inadequate facilities, particularly for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), heating and electricity. Major infrastructural gaps are affecting the education results of existing schools, including lack of functioning of WASH facilities, unreliable access to electricity and heating systems, and limited availability of functioning canteens for preparing hot school meals. Climate change is expected to exacerbate challenges by disrupting water availability, compromising water quality, and affecting infrastructure functionality.

The joint programme of UNDP and UNICEF “Modelling climate resilience and WASH in schools” aligns with the 2030 Agenda’s pledge to "leave no one behind," strongly focusing on adolescent girls through gender-responsive and inclusive climate-resilient WASH programming.

UNDP has led the development of standards for schools and essential infrastructure and pioneered projects like Uzbekistan's first nearly-zero-energy building. Globally, UNDP's extensive experience in school construction across diverse contexts, combined with its deep expertise in community planning and participatory approaches including budgeting, uniquely positions it to enhance programme effectiveness, transparency, and ownership. 

The project aims to enhance access of children and adolescents in the most affected schools to equitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient learning environments and enhance the education system to better plan, deliver, and maintain school environments by:

•    modelling climate resilience and WASH in schools to create equitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient learning environments;

•    prioritising access to inclusive, gender-responsive WASH services in 45 schools (potentially reaching to 50), addressing the needs of 31,500  children and adolescents, particularly adolescent girls;

•    providing institutional support to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MoPSE) and local agencies to govern school infrastructure in gender-sensitive and transparent ways in cooperation with local communities to ensure the sustainability of improvements.

The proposed intervention drives transformational impact by elevating the entire education sector. By establishing a relevant frameworks and standard principles for future climate-resilient WASH standards implementation (including school renovation), the Project sets a new standard for educational infrastructure in Uzbekistan. These will serve as role models informing the building and renovation of schools nationwide with a focus on efficiency, modernity, equity and sustainability for improved student outcomes.

The use of renewable energy solutions such as solar power, energy-efficient heating systems, and water management not only reduces carbon footprints but also demonstrates scalable and cost-effective models that can be replicated.  It promotes the adoption of international best practices in climate-resilient WASH standards, energy efficiency, and school infrastructure design leading to long-term economic benefits. The programme contributes to national policy implementation and capacity building by working closely with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MoPSE) and other government agencies as well as local authorities in support of the implementation of the Clean Hands Programme.

This programme aims to uphold these principles by supporting equitable education, inclusion and gender equality. Through data-driven decision-making and community engagement, the project will pinpoint exclusion factors and tailor interventions that meet the needs of children disproportionately affected by the lack of inclusive WASH services, including children with disabilities.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Program Manager, the Procurement Associate is responsible for the administration and implementation of procurement services ensuring their efficiency, integrity and compliance rules, regulations, policies and procedures and standards of ethics. The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with Operations, Programme and project teams in the UNDP Country Office and with vendors to exchange information and resolve complex procurement-related issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Procurement Planning and Strategy

• Assist in the preparation and regular updating of the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) and the project’s Procurement Plan.
• Conduct market research and cost analysis to inform procurement strategies and ensure value for money.
• Review and refine technical specifications, terms of reference, and scope of work in collaboration with the project team and technical experts.
• Ensure that procurement plans are aligned with project timelines and implementation schedules.

Procurement Process Management

• Organize and manage procurement processes including preparation and issuance of Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
• Draft bidding documents, tender notices, bid solicitations, and facilitate pre-bid meetings and site visits.
• Coordinate bid evaluations, conduct due diligence, and support the preparation of evaluation reports and submissions to the review committee.
• Facilitate contract negotiations and prepare final contract documentation in accordance with UNDP procedures.

Contract Administration and Supplier Management

• Administer contracts to ensure compliance with terms and conditions, including delivery schedules, payment terms, and performance standards.
• Monitor supplier performance and maintain regular communication to ensure timely delivery and resolution of issues.
• Maintain a supplier database and support vendor registration and performance evaluation processes.
• Ensure that all procurement-related complaints are documented and addressed in a timely and transparent manner.

Documentation, Compliance, and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and complete procurement records, including contracts, evaluation reports, correspondence, and approvals, in accordance with UNDP audit requirements.
• Ensure proper filing and archiving of procurement documentation, including a separate record of complaints and their resolution.
• Prepare procurement status reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders, including inputs for project progress reports.

Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building

• Contribute to the development and dissemination of procurement guidelines, templates, and best practices within the project team.
• Provide guidance and training to project staff and partners on UNDP procurement procedures and compliance requirements.
• Participate in procurement-related learning and knowledge exchange activities organized by UNDP.

Institutional Arrangement:

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Project Manager, the Procurement Associate will be responsible for the preparation of the required technical specifications, planning and management of procurement activities as part of the project Implementation arrangements, following relevant UNDP Rules and Regulations. 

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross Functional&Technical Competencies:

• Business Acumen:
  • Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.
• Knowledge Facilitation:
  • Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
• Communication:
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Contract Management:
  • Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
• Procurement Management
  • The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.
• Supplier/relationship management
  • Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required .
• University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Business Management, Economics, Finance, Supply/Logistics or any other related field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.
• CIPS level 3 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience  in the procurement field.

Required skills:

• Good knowledge of international organizations and national procurement regulations and procedures.

Desired Skills:

• Procurement experience in projects financed by an International Financial Institution, UNDP, Projects in construction is an asset.
• Attendance to internationally funded projects procurement training and previous procurement expert certificate is an asset.
• Ability to communicate, negotiate, analyze, elaborate, and report. 
• The ability of team spirit, good interpersonal and conflict management skills, integrity and confidentiality, interpersonal and time management skills. 
• Literacy at Microsoft Office Programs, Windows-based applications.
• Experience in handling web-based management systems.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English and Uzbek is required. 
• Good command Russian is desirable. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.