Mission and objectives

Our vision is a world where people can live full lives supported by sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure and by the efficient, transparent use of public resources in procurement and project management. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments,donors and United Nations organizations. Since 2006, UNOPS has been implementing initiatives in North Africa in various sectors to support the government in implementing their programmes efficiently and effectively, maximising their positive impact for the society and the economy. UNOPS has 4 strategic areas of intervention: 1) sustainable procurement 2) complex project management 3) sustainable and resilient infrastructure 4) technical assistance

Context

North Africa, an arid region, faces severe climate change impacts: the region is experiencing rising temperatures at a faster rate than the global average, more frequent heatwaves, and prolonged droughts. These worsen water scarcity, imperil food security, and strain fossil-fuel-dependent energy grids due to increased cooling demands. The region, rich in solar and wind potential, struggles with a green transition due to infrastructure, regulatory, and investment hurdles. These climate challenges intersect with high unemployment, poverty, inequality, and governance issues. UNOPS North Africa Multi-country Office has long addressed these by implementing projects fostering sustainability in all sectors. To bolster these efforts, UNOPS seeks a sustainable procurement specialist. This sustainable procurement specialist will support the Partnerships unit in developing new development projects that include sustainable procurement activities, and support other teams through knowledge sharing and technical assistance. Through their work, the Partnerships unit will be able to develop compelling procurement project proposals, which have the sustainability dimension at their core, and to better foresee budget expenses and timelines.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Partnerships Specialist, the UN Volunteer will support the Partnerships unit in the development of new procurement projects and, mainstreaming of sustainable procurement practices. They will undertake the following tasks: Sustainable procurement ● Elaboration of analysis of requirements and synthesis of proposals for cost-saving and reduction strategies for the new projects. ● Contribution to the implementation of the strategic procurement in the office, including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management, e-procurement introduction and promotion, and performance measurement. ● Preparation of procurement plans for newly developed projects and monitoring of their implementation once projects are signed, in close collaboration with the Partnerships Unit and Project Managers. ● Development and management of the rosters of qualified suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, and quality and performance measurement mechanisms. ● Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Procurement. ● Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. ● Mainstreaming of sustainable procurement practices through knowledge sharing and peer learning with other procurement professionals and the Partnerships team. ● Reinforcement and leverage of expertise and capacity for UNOPS’ contributions to the 2030 Agenda and to the repositioning of the UN Development System: this will involve analyzing UNOPS’ past contributions and identifying opportunities to enhance future impact in sustainable procurement and sustainable development within the UN system. ● Support for cross-country engagement, peer learning, and promotion of knowledge management. ● Strengthening of the Partnerships team's knowledge base and capabilities to better plan procurement projects. ● Provision of technical advice based on the latest developments and best practices. ● Organization and facilitation of peer learning events and knowledge exchange platforms. ● Preparation of high-quality technical reports, case studies, Request for Quotations ( RFQ), Invitation To Bid (ITB) or Request for Proposal (RFP), receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, and other products as required. ● Contribution to the preparation of progress reports on the foresight and ideation activities of the hub. Partnerships: Support the Partnerships team in: ● Identifying funding/partnership opportunities to boost sustainable procurement practices within governments, UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, foundations, and the private sector. ● Production of foresight analysis to identify emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in sustainable development and sustainable procurement within the specific North African context. ● Analysis of the procurement policy landscape, technological advancements, and societal shifts to anticipate future demands and needs. ● Developing expressions of interest, concept notes, and proposals for potential new procurement projects. ● Preparing publication and sharing of information and knowledge about sustainable procurement with colleagues, clients, and partners. ● Preparation of briefing materials as required for meetings, mission travel, and/or discussion on project activities related to sustainable procurement. ● Any other task assigned by the Partnerships Specialist about sustainable procurement.

Competencies and values

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Respect for Diversity

Living conditions and remarks

Visa process: International UN Volunteers assigned to Tunisia are required to obtain an entry visa prior to arrival, followed by a residence permit after arrival in the country. Steps involved: 1. Visa Application (Pre-departure): o The UN Volunteer will receive a visa support letter issued by UNDP Tunisia and/or the UNV Field Unit. o With this letter, the Volunteer must apply for a Type C or D entry visa at the nearest Tunisian Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence. o The process usually requires:  Passport (valid for at least 6 months)  Visa support letter  Completed visa application form  Passport-sized photos  Proof of travel or appointment letter (as requested by the consulate) 2. Arrival in Tunisia: o Upon arrival, the UN Volunteer will be supported by the UNDP Country Office or UNV Field Unit to initiate procedures for obtaining a residence permit (carte de séjour) from the Tunisian Ministry of Interior. o Required documents typically include:  Passport with valid visa  UNDP assignment letter  Proof of accommodation in Tunisia  Passport-sized photos  Application forms and fees, as applicable 3. Timeline: o Visa processing time varies by consulate but typically takes between 5–15 working days. o The residence permit process in Tunisia may take 4–8 weeks after submission of all required documents. Volunteers are advised to begin the process promptly upon arrival The assignment is 12 months. A volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The volunteer will be based in the MCO office in Tunis, Tunisia. Geography and climate: Tunisia is the smallest country on the North African coast, with a population of just over 10 million, around 60% of whom live in urban areas and have one of the highest standards of living on the continent. Tunis is the country's capital and largest city (around two million inhabitants in and around the city). Tunisia borders Libya (south-east) and Algeria (west). Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate. Along the northern coasts of Tunisia, summers are hot and dry, and winters are warm and rainy. In the north-west, there are occasional snowfalls in the mountains. In southern Tunisia, the weather is drier and hotter. The south of Tunisia, where the Sahara begins, is semi-desertic and desertic. Religion: Around 99% of the population is Muslim, in particular Sunni, which is the state religion. Tunisia also has a small Christian population, made up of Roman Catholics, members of the Greek Orthodox Church and Protestants. There is also a small population of Sephardic Jews. Economy: The country does not have vast hydrocarbon reserves like its neighbours Algeria and Libya, but it has prospered thanks to long-standing government policies aimed at developing industry, tourism and agriculture. At the same time, social programmes limit population growth, ensure a high level of education and a relatively decent standard of living for all. Safety and security: The crime rate is low, but there have been cases of theft. It is allowed to walk alone during the day, but it is preferable to be more cautious at night. It is also important to keep abreast of the political situation. As a result, security advice is systematically sent out by DSS security staff.