ABOUT THE COMPANY:

UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Contracts Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the planning, development, and execution of procurement strategies for service and goods contracting (including for ICT services, including cloud-based services, software, hardware, and ICT equipment). The incumbent will further have to support contract management, monitoring suppliers’ performance, worldwide market research and long- term procurement planning in conjunction with the HQ divisions, in order to achieve value, the most cost-effective means of procurement. This will be executed through an effective and strategic procurement process in compliance with UNICEFs Financial Rules and Regulations, guided by public procurement principles and pursuing Value for Money for the organization. The incumbent will plan and conduct day to day procurement activities for the NY Headquarters Divisions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage the development and coordination of procurement plans and implement strategic procurement decisions and effective vendor relations management, keeping abreast developments in the technology and vendor roadmaps. Undertake market research to develop a pool of healthy vendors and maintain updated vendor list.
2. Support the Divisions in developing statement of works (SOWs)/ Terms of References (TORs) i.e., review material specifications and service requisitions with the Technical Divisions to ensure completeness and appropriateness. Seek optimal value in service from vendors in consultation with NY Headquarters Division.
3. Undertake risk assessments where necessary and advice on appropriate risk mitigation strategies/measures to deal with the risks.
4. Undertake procurement activities of ICT goods and services in compliance with the UNICEF Financial rules and regulations, SD Manual, and all other applicable procurement procedures.
5. Strategically execute the procurement in a manner appropriate for the particular categories. For ICT this include areas such as Cloud services, subscription solutions, and awareness of how to address cyber security issues, applying best practices.
6. Issue tender invitations to acceptable suppliers, evaluates offers, clarifies offers and negotiates with suppliers in accordance with UNICEF procedures. Adjudicates offers in coordination with the requisitioning Divisions and technical/ QA entities as applicable. Prepares and defends submissions to CRC, drafts and negotiate contracts including long term agreements. Ensure performance and financial risk evaluation of vendors before recommendation for awards.
7. Manage and monitor contractual agreements (including Long Term Agreements (LTAs) to ensure supplier compliance to LTA’s and purchase order term and conditions as well as financial limits. Assist NY Headquarters Divisions to reviewing and monitoring performance and return-on-investment metric and initiating contract/LTAs modifications.
8. In partnership with NY Headquarters Divisions and RO/COs, evaluates suppliers with respect to delivery performance, product acceptability and commercial acceptability.
9. Support collaboration/partnership initiatives on procurement activities with UN Agencies and other international organizations in areas that will bring value for money to UNICEF.
10. Participates in procurement workshops and business seminars organized by UNICEF and/or external partners, including presentation of data and representation of SD.
11. Any other duties that may be assigned by Contracts Manager and/or Senior Contracts Manager.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• A completed Advanced university degree (master’s degree) in Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management, or related field is required.
• *A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and 7 years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience including at least three at the international level is required.
• Experience in commercial activities with the public or private sector in developing and industrialized countries is required.
• Experience with worldwide procurement, contract negotiations and administration.
• Understanding of the principles of public procurement.
• Good knowledge and understanding of strategic sourcing of ICT services/products and its implications for the organization is desirable.
• Good knowledge of the latest trends in procurement and contracting of information technology services and products for public sector or international organizations is strongly desirable, including subscription based Cloud Services (Software as a Service (SaaS) and similar.
• Awareness of cyber security risks, compliance with standard terms and conditions addressing information and data security, and related best practices is considered an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

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Good luck!