Title of Assignment: Procurement Consultant

Name of unit/sector: Procurement Section

Place of Assignment: Hybrid, with at least 1 week per month at WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland

Expected places of travel (if applicable): Geneva, Switzerland

Expected duration of assignment: An initial 2 months (renewable)

1. Objective of the assignment

The consultant will perform procurement services to support one of the teams within the Procurement Section. As such, the incumbent will provide procurement expertise and assist procurement’s clients and stakeholders to plan, develop, source and manage procurement and individual arrangements to effectively meet organizational and business objectives, ensuring compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

2. Duties & Deliverables

1. Provide advice and guidance on procurement-related matters to internal clients and stakeholders during all phases of the procurement cycle including planning, definition of the procurement strategy, vendor performance and contract management to encourage good governance and the adoption of best practice in procurement; promote positive relationships with internal and external clients.
2. Analyze requests for and perform the full range of procurement activities including review of specifications and evaluation criteria, tendering, running of selection processes and evaluation of suppliers.
3. Perform research and market reviews to propose comprehensive procurement strategies to clients; identify and analyze market trends, developments and buying best practices to maximize efficiencies.
4. Carry out contract negotiations on behalf of the Organization, securing high quality services at the right price that meet business objectives and are in compliance with WIPO’s policy and procedural framework and guidelines; draft, review or sign contracts within delegated authority.
5. Regularly review the procurement plan for areas under responsibility and monitor and follow up on actions to be completed; evaluate and monitor contracts to be sure that suppliers comply with the terms and conditions of the contract and to determine the need for changes; provide advice to contract managers on vendor performance reviews; collect, collate and analyze data from reviews, report findings to team leader and make recommendations where applicable.
6. Prepare, certify and dispatch Purchase Orders within 4 working days based on a complete Purchase Requisition, ensuring entry of accurate data; run regular monitoring reports, review and analyze data making the relevant recommendations.
7. Manage contract life cycles by maintaining accurate and reliable records in the Organization’s IT systems; run regular reports on contract status, review and analyze data and act where required.
8. Prepare relevant cases to be presented to the Contracts Review Committee and participate in other procurement-related meetings with clients and suppliers / vendors.
9. Ensure relevant actions are satisfactorily completed in due time as agreed with the Team Leader (Procurement Officer).
10. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Reporting

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Team Leader (Procurement Officer).

4. Profile (e.g. area of specialization/expertise, specific knowledge/skills/experience)

a) Education:

Essential: First-level university degree in procurement, business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, law or a related field.
Desirable: Be at least Level 2 Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) certified or possess an equivalent level of qualification granted by a professional association or educational institute.

b) Experience:

Essential:
• At least four relevant years’ experience in procurement, contract management, contract administration, category management at the international level for an intergovernmental or governmental organization or large multi-national organization.
• Experience using electronic tendering systems and a procure to pay ERP module.

Desirable:
• Experience across multiple categories and functions of the procurement process

c) Language:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Desirable: Knowledge of French or another UN language (Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Arabic).

d) Job-related competencies

Essential:
• Sound understanding of procurement principles and practices with particular attention to strategic sourcing processes across multiple categories commonly used by best-in-class organisations and vendor performance management;
• Good negotiation and contract management skills;
• Good analytical skills and ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identifying issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations;
• High level of service orientation;
• Attention to detail;
• Excellent problem-solving and facilitation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize and to meet strict deadlines;
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical procurement matters in a simple, clear and concise manner.

5. Duration of contract, payment and travel

Contract will start as soon as possible for a duration of 2 months with a possibility of an extension.

Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs (daily rate). The daily remuneration is inclusive of travel consideration therefore, all related travel cost (including flights, accommodation, food) to/from Geneva are at the contractor’s own expense. Travel schedule is to be agreed with supervisor.