UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments—through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance—can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development.

By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty with a focus on reaching the last mile and addressing exclusion and inequalities of access. At the same time, UNCDF deploys its capital finance mandate in line with SDG 17 on the means of implementation, to unlock public and private finance for the poor at the local level. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs and currently to 28 of 169 targets.

Position Context:

UNCDF Office of Finance and Management Services (FMS) is based in UNCDF Headquarters, New York along with out-posted staff across regional offices and multiple country locations. FMS team works to enhance the institutional effectiveness of UNCDF through operational solutions, development of management policies, prescriptive content, and overall management of all operational, resource management and financial aspects of the organization. FMS oversees policy adherence, safeguarding UNCDF and its Executive Secretary’s accountability while providing advisory, transactional services and support to UNCDF in its core functional areas of accounts and finance; human resources; procurement and administration; and information technology.

Under the supervision of the UNCDF Operations Specialist/Team Leader, Procurement and Administration Team, FMS and overall guidance of Head, Office of Finance and Management Services (FMS), the Procurement Associate provides leadership in execution of procurement services ensuring their effectiveness, transparency and integrity. The Procurement Associate promotes a client-focused, quality and results- oriented approach in the Unit in dual support capacity to PMSU and the Operations Team in UNCDF HQ. The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, practice areas, PMSU and project teams in the COs and UNCDF HQs staff for resolving complex procurement-related issues and information delivery.

The Procurement Associate may provide supervision for temporary support/consultants working in Procurement team if required.

This is a local GS position, based in New York, USA and subject to local General Service recruitment rules.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Administration and implementation of operational strategies
2. Organizes procurement processes for HQ, Regional and Country Offices/UNCDF projects
3. Supports travel management processes for UNCDF
4. Ensures implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools
5. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Detailed Description of Job Roles and Responsibilites:

1. Ensures administration and implementation of the operational strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNCDF rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper functioning of a client-oriented procurement and travel management system.
• UNCDF Procurement and travel business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Procurement and Logistics, control of the workflows in the Procurement Unit.
• Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultation with office management.
• Provision of researched information for formulation and implementation of contract strategy and strategic procurement in UNCDF including tendering processes and evaluation, managing the contract and contractor, legal considerations and payment conditions, sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, e-procurement introduction.

1. Organizes procurement processes for HQ, Regional and Country Offices/Projects focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation of procurement plans for the office and projects and their implementation monitoring.
• Organization of procurement processes including preparation and conduct of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNCDF rules and regulations
• Preparation of Purchase orders and contracts in and outside Atlas, preparation of Recurring Purchase orders for contracting of services, vendors’ creation in Atlas. Buyers profile in Atlas.
• Review of procurement processes conducted by projects; submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP) and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP).
• Implementation of the internal control system which ensures that Purchase orders are duly prepared and dispatched. Timely corrective actions on POs with budget check errors and other problems.
• Presentation of researched information on procurement in the UNCDF.
• Preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas
• Organization of joint procurement processes for the UN Agencies in line with the UN reform if applicable.

1. .Supports travel management processes for UNCDF focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Facilitation of quarterly travel planning and ad hoc travels in UNCDF
• Processing of travel requests and travel related transactions while ensuring compliance with UNCDF Travel policies
• Monitoring, tracking and presentation of researched information on travel transactions in the UNCDF
• Performing a buyer role in Atlas for preparation of POs for travel and other administrative expenses.
• Processing of Purchase orders for travel in Atlas. Ensures availability of budget according to COA.
• Processing of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the travel services provided by UNCDF to projects.

4. Ensures implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development and update of the rosters of suppliers, implementation of supplier selection and evaluation.
• Use and application of e-tendering module in accordance with UNCDF procurement policies

5.Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in UNCDF focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Procurement.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Procurement.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Core Compentencies

1. Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work
2. Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow
3. People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
4. Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
5. Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Technical/Functional Competencies

• Subject Matter Expertise: Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization - Procurement as well as the fundamental concepts related to digital innovation and regulation of financial inclusion
• Knowledge Management: Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Relationship Management: Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency Coordination and forge productive working relationships
• Office Administration: Ability to manage day-to-day office activities (including but not limited to travel management, facilities and asset management, policy and procedures maintenance) to meet operational needs
• Results Based Programming: Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education with specialized training in procurement. A first University Degree in Business or Public Administration is considered desirable, but it is not a requirement.
• Procurement Certification programme : UNDP CIPS2 certification or higher is considered highly desireable. Certification at higher levels of CIPS programme would be considered a distinct advantage.

Work Experience:

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible procurement and administrative experience is required at the national or international level.
• Candidates having Bachelor’s degree or equivalent will require three years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in procurement management in field offices (i.e. any UN country office or regional offices) is desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc),
• Advanced knowledge of automated procurement systems along with experience in handling of web-based management systems is desireable.
• Knowledge of UN/UNDP travel policies is also considered desireable.

Language:

• Fluency in English (Excellent Written & verbal comprehension skills require).
• Working knowledge of French as 2^nd UN language is desirable.

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

Externally advertised GS fixed-term appointment and temporary appointment (TA) positions located in New York/Washington D.C. are open to candidates who are either US Permanent Residents, US Citizens or holders of a valid G4 visa at the time of their application and whose G4 visa has been acquired on account of their employment in the UN Systems based in New York or Washington, DC.

Selected candidates who meet the above mentioned eligibility criteria are responsible for their own travel and/or relocation costs.

Selection to GS fixed-term appointment positions at Headquarters requires passing a UN administered clerical test (ASAT). External applicants to General Service (GS) positions in New York who already possess a Bachelor’s degree or an accredited certification in a technical field (e.g. IT, Finance, or Procurement) will not need to obtain/pass the UN Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT). However, passing specialized tests (e.g. Finance and Accounting technical assessments) may still be required for some General Service (GS) positions, as specified in the vacancy announcement.

Applicants under serious consideration for short-listing of posts requiring accountancy and finance skills, must take the UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (UNDP AFT) prior to short-listing.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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