About the Surge Mechanism
At UNOPS, the Surge Mechanism is the quick mobilization and deployment of highly experienced personnel and specialized experts to reinforce an office’s capacity during periods of immediate needs. Surge is characterized by its urgency and short-duration commitment in high-risk situations. In collaboration with other business units, the Surge Team, managed by the Surge Coordinator, is leading the growth of the Surge Mechanism at UNOPS.
Today, the Surge Mechanism is focused on providing 4 areas of support:
Job-Specific Information
As Procurement Specialist, you will be assigned to surge assignments with the objective to support offices that require rapid procurement support, e.g. at the inception of a project, or cover a gap between recruitments following the unexpected departure of a procurement colleague.
You will be responsible for providing temporary procurement management and transactional support to ongoing or start-up projects, following UNOPS policies and guidelines. In this role, you will also advise on procurement matters, and highlight operational and compliance challenges to selected projects, whilst tailoring appropriate mitigation approaches.
You will be required to be a role model by leveraging a business partnering approach in every assignment. You will be responsible for providing implementation management and transactional support and capacity building , always with the aim of increasing quality, professionalism and creating efficiencies.
Your work will focus on identifying challenges and providing innovative solutions to ensure high quality of procurement services across the organization. This also involves the use of data analytics to enable business decisions, for example by assisting country offices in the development of monitoring/planning tools for procurement activities. While on assignment, your primary reporting line will be the Head of Support Service or other senior authority in the (Multi-) Country Office. You will have a secondary reporting line to the Surge Coordinator.
The person in this position will be required to travel to different locations around the world, including hardship locations. Missions abroad may last for several weeks/up to a maximum of 3 months. Availability to travel is therefore a prerequisite for this position, even though some of the missions may be conducted remotely.
The functions/responsibilities/key results of this job description are generic and may not always be applicable, nor be comprehensive, for all missions. The specific tasks and deliverables for each assignment may vary and will be detailed in the terms of reference developed for each assignment by the requesting office/unit.
1. Development and implementation of operational strategies
2. Management of procurement processes
3. Implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools
4. Team Management, when applicable
1. Development and Implementation of operational strategies
The incumbent ensures the elaboration and implementation of procurement and contracting strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
2. Management of procurement processes
The incumbent manages and guides procurement processes for field offices, focusing on achievement of the following results:
3. Implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools
The incumbent ensures introduction and implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools focusing on achievement of the following results:
4. Team Management
When applicable, the incumbent leads, manages and facilitates the performance and service provision of employees supervised, including through work planning, coaching, performance management and development.
Education:
Desirable
Experience:
Desirable
Languages:
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. |
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. |
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. |
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). |
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. |
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. |
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. |
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. |
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
UN City in Copenhagen – short presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF25xfMW0KQ
Terms and Conditions
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
Working with us
UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.
Diversity
With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.
Work life harmonization
UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.