UNDP Lao PDR: 

Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 – 2025) and UNDP Country Programme for Lao PDR (2022 – 2026), UNDP in Lao PDR works closely with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector at both national and sub-national levels in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDR’s five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP’s work is strongly focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across four broad Priority Pillars – (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, (2) UXO clearance and risk education, (3) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as (4) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.

UNDP has a long history working in Lao PDR. UNDP’s comparative advantage has been its ability to work closely with a very broad range of government and local-level institutions at all levels. The UNDP country programme is aligned with the 9th NSEDP and is anchored in UNDP’s long-term partnership with the Government of more than three decades. The country programme builds on the achievements of the previous CPD that saw the incorporation of the SDGs into the national planning architecture. It aims to support Lao PDR recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue its transition from LDC status, with a particular emphasis on supporting inclusive growth and reducing inequality.

The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with Operations, Programme and project teams in the Country Office, Region and UNDP Head Quarter (HQ) and with vendors to exchange information and resolve complex procurement-related issues.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

1.) Implement sustainable procurement strategies and policies that are in alignment with principles of fairness, integrity and transparency to achieve best value for money.

• Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, through implementation of effective internal controls.
• Supports the elaboration of internal procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the mapping CO procurement business processes in consultation with his/her direct supervisor and the office management.

2.) Organize procurement processes for CO, projects, and other UN Agencies.

• Provide guidance and inputs to the project team on procurement plans for the country office and projects.
• Prepare and conduct Micro-Purchasing, RFQ, ITB or RFP, and receive and evaluate quotations, bids or proposals in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Prepare Purchase orders and contracts in and outside e-procurement, prepare recurring purchase orders for contracting services, and create vendors and buyer profiles in e-procurement.
• Prepare submissions for internal procurement review committees (Contract, Assets and Procurement “CAP”, Regional Advisory Commitee on Procurement “RACP” and Advisory Commitee on Procurement “ACP”).
• Prepare reports on procurements in CO.
• Implement or partake in joint procurement processes for UN agencies in line with the UN reform.

3.)  Implement sourcing strategies to find best values in the marketplace and align purchasing strategy to project and CO goals.

• Develop and update rosters of suppliers.
• Implement supplier selection and evaluation.
• Manage vendor such as AML check, vendor sanction verification, vendor registration

4.) Facilitate procurement knowledge building and knowledge sharing in CO.

• Organize procurement training for operations, programme and project staff.
• Organize procurement training for vendors on e-procurement modules.
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in procurement.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: NA

Core : Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here
Achieve Results
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination     LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements