Procurement Assistant (temporary)

at  United Nations

Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a lead UN agency in the fight against illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, terrorism and corruption. The UNODC Portfolio in Southern Africa includes national, regional and global projects. The joint “UNODC–SADC Regional Programme to Make the SADC Region Safer from Crime and Drugs” (RP) provides an overall framework for the cooperation with SADC Member States. UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa covers 11 countries in the region, namely: Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This position is located in the UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF) with duty station in Cape Town, South Africa, Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the overall management of the UNODC Representative for Southern Africa (ROSAF), report directly to the Associate Programme Officer (GMCP Indian Ocean West) and in close coordination with GMCP - Indian Ocean West. For more information on UNODC, please visit the website: www.unodc.org
Responsibilities
Within limits of delegated authority, the Procurement Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Review, record and prioritize purchasing requests and obtain additional information/documentation as required; Provide assistance to requisitioners in preparing scope of work and specification of goods and services; Propose product substitutions consistent with requirement to achieve cost savings; Determine the availability of funding sources. • Identify and recommend source of procurement and interview potential suppliers. • Produce tender documents e.g. Invitations to Bids, Requests for Proposals and Requests for Quotation based on the nature of the requirement and cost of procurement involved. • Prepare abstracts of offers and compile data contained in quotations, proposals and bids to determine which supplier can deliver the required goods/services at the best terms and lowest costs possible. • Enter into negotiation of terms and conditions of orders under the guidance of Procurement Officer; obtain information on proposed suppliers. • Finalize purchase orders and contracts for approval by the Procurement Officer and prepare submission to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official. • Resolve issues/problems related to delivered goods and prepare and sign Return to Vendor forms for unacceptable and/or damaged goods received. • Maintain relevant internal database and files; keep track of any contractual agreements direct provisioning contracts and inform affected users of contractual rights and obligations. • Research, retrieve and present information from a variety of internal and external sources on sources of supply, vendor by commodity etc. • Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Draft a variety of correspondence. • Supervise, assign and review the work of more junior staff. • Perform other work-related duties as assigned.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Has knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Has understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Is able to identify and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Has ability to perform analysis, modeling, and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Planning & 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.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required. Supplementary courses or additional training in procurement functions is desirable. A Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS) Level 4 or equivalent professional certification is required.
Job - Specific Qualification
A Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS) Level 4 or equivalent professional certification is required. Supplementary courses or additional training in procurement functions is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contracts management, administration or related area is required. The minimum number of years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in identifying vendors and working with vendor databases is required. Experience working with an ERP (Enterprise Resources Planning) system is required. Experience in procurement and contract management in an international organization or within the United Nations system or public international organization is desirable. Experience in procurement, contract management and equipment delivery in the region is desirable. Experience in SAP/Umoja is desirable. Experience in performing CIPS certified skills are desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is temporarily available until 31 March 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
United Nations Considerations
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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee

Please refer the Job description for details