Procurement Officer, P-3

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:  21 April 2003
DATE OF ISSUANCE:   20 February 2003
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:   Economic Commission for Africa
DUTY STATION:   Addis Ababa
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:   03-PRO-ECA-800020-R-ADDIS ABABA (G)

Remuneration
Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. More Info...

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity


Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Chief of the General Services Section, and within the limits of delegated authority, and taking into account local economic and other conditions, the Procurement Officer may be responsible for the following duties: plan, develop and manage all procurement and contractual aspects of projects related to diverse services and commodities including information technology, electronic equipment, vehicles, medicines, foodstuffs, building and maintenance materials, office supplies, construction materials, and furniture. Advise requisitioning units and recipient entities on procurement issues and provide support and guidance at all stage of the procurement cycle. Prepare and oversee distribution of invitations to tender; manage and conduct all aspects of bid/proposal evaluations. Formulate strategies and design innovative solutions to resolve issues/conflicts for complex procurement projects. Establish and maintain work program and schedule for new and ongoing contracts. Participate in negotiations with supplier representatives; sign procurement orders up to the authorized limit, and, in cases where the amount exceeds signature authority, prepare submissions to the appropriate Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official. Conduct market research to keep abreast of market developments, research and analyze statistical data and market reports on the world commodities, production patterns and the availability of goods and services. Identify new technologies, products, and services; evaluate and recommend potential supply sources; and incorporate research results into the procurement program. Oversee adherence to contractual agreements, recommend amendments and extensions of contracts, and advise concerned parties on contractual rights and obligations. Guide and supervise Procurement Unit staff. Prepare a variety of procurement-related documents, contracts, communications, guidelines, and instructions. Guide and supervise Procurement Unit staff.

Core Competencies
Ability to plan work assignments, prioritize competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines. Very good communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences on procurement-related matters and prepare a variety of written documents, contracts, and reports in a clear and concise style. Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.


QUALIFICATIONS

Education
University degree in Law, Business Administration, or Public Administration required. Highly desirable if additional study in procurement, contracting, or accounting.
Work Experience
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in complex procurement and contracting. Highly desirable if at least three years of that experience has been gained in the United Nations. Also highly desirable if a portion of that experience has been gained in developing countries or peacekeeping missions.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English required. Knowledge of French is highly desirable.
Other Desirable Skills
Excellent writing skills, particularly in preparing clear, concise and unambiguous bid documents, Scopes of Work, contracts, reports, and other documents. Strong theoretical background and substantive experience in all phases of international procurement operations and in contracting for a diverse range of good and services; good working knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex contract issues and in the context of UN policies and standards; strong analytical skills and working knowledge of quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity systems; good knowledge of sources of supply, market trends, pricing, etc.; good negotiating skills to shape and influence agreements with requisitioning units and vendors; sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a range of issues/problems; ability to provide technical guidance to new/junior staff. Good computer skills, including proficiency in procurement computer systems, spreadsheet, database management and Internet applications.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).  English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.  The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
How to apply


There are two ways you can apply to vacancies available at the United Nations Human Resources Site.

  1. Online - If you consider applying for the United Nations online now or in the future you have to register with us.
  2. Offline - fax or mail paper application.
Online
  1. All internal and external applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as early as possible after the vacancy has been posted, and well before the deadline. All online applications will be acknowledged immediately, if an email address is provided.
  2. To start the online application process, applicants will be required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.
  3. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be modified as necessary for future applications.
  4. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.
  5. For UN staff members, after submission of an application, they will receive an email reminding them to provide copies of their last two Performance Appraisal System evaluations to the appropriate office. These copies may be submitted by email, fax or regular mail with a clear indication of the vacancy announcement number.
  6. Once an application has been submitted, it will be transmitted to the appropriate office for review.
Offline
  1. If applicants cannot submit an application online, they may send paper applications to the address, email or fax number indicated below before the deadline.


    Room No. : ; ECA Campaign Staffing Support Section Operational Services Division Office of Human Resources Management United Nations
    New York, United States of America
    Fax: 1-212-963 9560, 1-212-963 3134
    E-mail: ecacampaign@un.org,

    Applications must be submitted using the United Nations Personal History form (P-11).
    (Click here to download P-11 form)  or  (Click here to get a P11 form sent to your Email address).

    The applications should indicate the vacancy announcement number on the application and on the envelope, email or fax.
  2. Applicants may wish to retain copies of their completed P-11 form for use for future applications.
  3. Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of offline paper applications cannot be acknowledged individually.
  4. UN staff members must attach copies of their last two Performance Appraisal System evaluations to their applications.