ASSOCIATE PROCUREMENT OFFICER

This position is located in the Enabling and Outreach Service (EOS), Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), Department of Operational Support (DOS) at the United Nations Headquarters. The Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including departments, Offices Away from Headquarters, peace operations, and regional commissions. The Office of Supply Chain Management encompasses the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management, Logistics Division, Procurement Division, Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, Global Service Centre, and the Enabling and Outreach Service. The latter supports supply chain operations through the provision of operational reporting, business intelligence, supplier diversity and performance management . The Associate Procurement Officer reports to the Chief of the Enabling and Outreach Service (EOS) or his/her designated official.

Within delegated authority, the Associate Procurement Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Plans vendor outreach activities for assigned projects or categories, which typically support the procurement of a select group of technically complex commodities or services, or for a variety of goods and services of a general nature.
• Initiates and supports vendor outreach events, including business seminars and briefings to Member States, regarding general procurement practices and/or specific categories, of a general nature or tailored towards specific vendor groups, such as Women Owned Businesses and Disability Inclusive Businesses.
• Reviews, analyzes data to ensure completeness, accuracy, diversity and competitiveness of the UN vendor roster, and identifies optional courses of action related to vendor outreach.
• Assists staff in matters regarding procurement policies and procedures, reviews vendor registration and management policies related to vendor due diligence, technical specifications, pricing and product/service availability, as well as appropriate substitutes or alternative options to increase competition and/or reduce costs.
• Conducts vendor due diligence and risk analysis as part of vendor registration process.
• Develops vendor pre-qualifying criteria, identifies sources of supply, and evaluates vendor performance and financial status.
• Solicits and evaluates expressions of interest/bids/proposals/quotations to ensure overall competitiveness, quality, and conformity to specified requirements, as required.
• Compiles and presents procurement data; prepares all relevant supporting documents and recommends approval of the contract or purchase order; may authorize purchases in line with delegated authority, and, in cases where the amount exceeds authorized signature authority, prepares submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official.
• Coordinates timely delivery of vendor outreach activities.
• Participates in and conducts market research to identify vendors;
• Prepares a variety of reports, correspondence, and documents () on procurement-related matters, and communicates with representatives of Member States and other UN Organizations / entities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, 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. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Professional certification in procurement or supply chain, such as Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply certification (CIPS Level 4) or equivalent is desirable.

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contract management, contract administration or related area. (No experience is required for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination. (NCRE) or the G to P Examination (G to P). Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams is required. Experience working with data analytics and visualization tools and developing data analytics and visualization reports and dashboards is required. Experience in engaging with senior officials and stakeholders, including Member States, is desirable. Experience in vendor registration, vendor outreach, commercial contract management, vendor evaluation and review, tender opening, or similar procurement-related functions is desirable. Experience in organizing events, including virtual meetings and webinars, and in preparing presentations and communication materials, is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

This position is funded for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal is therefore subject to the availability of the position or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.