Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Office in Peru (POPER), with duty station in Lima, Peru, Regional Office for the Andean Region and the Southern Cone (ROCOL), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Procurement Assistant will report to the ROCOL Assistant Procurement Officer and will work under the overall guidance of the ROCOL Operations Officer.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance of ROCOL Procurement Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Provide procurement, logistical and administrative support to a team of Procurement Officers in the acquisition of a wide variety of goods and services. • Assist the project areas and units with the preparation of Terms of Reference (TOR) for the procurement and purchase procedures assigned to them, according to the rules and procedures established by the United Nations. • Review, record and prioritize purchasing requests and obtain additional information/documentation as required; determine the availability of vendors and funding sources. • As member of a Team and under the guidance of the Procurement Officer create and approve obligations of purchases under his/her charge, by using the internal computer system of UNODC (SAP/UMOJA). • Serve as a member of the Proposal Evaluation Committee of the processes under his / her responsibility implemented through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). • Monitor status of existing requisitions, maintain contact with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of goods and services, coordinate shipment of goods/ commodities/equipment to Headquarters and field missions, verify receipt and inspection of deliverables and accurately reports, as and if required. • Produce tender documents (e.g. Invitations to Bids, Requests for Proposals and Requests for Quotation) based on the nature of requirements 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 under the guidance of Procurement Officers. • Finalize purchase orders and contracts for approval by the Procurement Officer; may authorize purchases in line with delegated signature authority, and, if required, prepare submission to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official. • Assist relevant officers in more complex, higher value purchasing operations; coordinate distribution of pertinent documents to concerned parties, ensure appropriate follow-up action, etc. • Maintain relevant internal databases and files; keep track of any contractual agreements, systems contracts, etc. 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, vendors by commodity, etc., as well as obtain specifications for new products and equipment on the market. • Under the guidance of the Procurement Officer, follow up on all the procurement strategies and design solutions to solve problems related to complex contracting of the Office processes generated by the projects before the issuance of the Purchase Orders (PO). • Participate in the ordering/purchase of supply. • Update and follow up on procurement plans and contracts of the UNODC projects. • Draft routine correspondence. • 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. • Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge of procurement policies, processes and procedures generally and, in particular, those related to the purchase of supplies and services. Has knowledge of financial rules and regulations and ability to research and gather information from a variety of standard sources and to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Is able to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

A Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS) Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply or equivalent professional certification is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in procurement or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experiences reduced to 3 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Working experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Experience working with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, or a similar international organization is desirable. Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS) Level 4 or equivalent professional certification is required. Experience with UMOJA/SAP is desirable. Experience in working in a fast-paced environment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

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. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.