UNDP connects countries to the knowledge, resources, and networks they need to achieve development breakthroughs. Our work is summed up in our six signature solutions, adapted to context and powered by three potent enablers for greater impact. Responding in an integrated and coherent manner, we are determined to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet from degradation, ensure that all people have prosperous lives, with growth that occurs in harmony with nature, and to foster peaceful and inclusive societies. We are committed to mobilizing the means to implement the 2030 Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity.

UNDP has supported the Government and people of Liberia in their efforts to reduce poverty and inequality in a bid to attain sustainable development since 1977. This has been done by among other things strengthening and reforming governance institutions to be inclusive and participatory, developing the necessary regulatory frameworks, upholding human rights, and supporting growth of the private sector and civil society. Our United Nations identity ensures neutrality and respect for people’s choices. Transparency and accountability in operations makes us a trusted partner for national and international development stakeholders.

UNDP encourages and enables collective intelligence, collaboration, integration, critical thinking and thought leadership. We mainstream innovation, digitalization opportunities, gender equity and diversity/inclusion principles in all aspects of our work. Our staff consistently strive for excellence, effectiveness, efficiency and inclusion across all areas of work.

In close cooperation with the UNDP Programme teams and other Country Office units, the Operations team supports the UNDP Country Office and programme implementation through the provision of relevant and timely procurement, finance, ICT and digital services, General Administration services, and Human Resources support. This includes a focus on collaboration, innovation, speed and administrative efficiency as well as advisory services for enhanced planning. The unit contributes to a collective engagement with other teams, partners and UN Agency clients to offer timely, well-planned and efficient services that meet the standard and requirements of UNDP policies and procedures.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is striving to ensure its procurement function and practices are an integral part of UNDP’s competitive advantage as a development partner of choice. This requires placing more attention on strategically integrating procurement at the project design stage, stimulating innovation in specifications and technologies, and adopting more sustainable production and consumption practices that align with UNDPs sustainable development goals.  Sustainable procurement means making sure products, services, and purchases are as sustainable as possible with the lowest environmental impact and most positive social results. In implementing UNDP strategic procurement priorities, Country offices will strive to use flexible methods for high-value/low-risk and timely delivery that meet the needs of its clients and key stakeholders.

Under the guidance and supervision of the DRR, Operations Manager, or Procurement Analyst, the Procurement Assistant provides procurement services ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. S/he promotes a client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach in the Unit.

The Procurement Assistant works in close collaboration with Operations, Programme and project teams in the Country Office and UNDP HQ and with vendors to exchange information and ensure consistent delivery of procurement services.

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.
Key duties and accountabilities
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 and strategies;
• Provide inputs to mapping CO procurement business processes in consultation with direct supervisor and office management.

• Provide inputs for preparation of procurement plans for the country office and projects;
• Support preparation of RFQ, ITB or RFP documents, and receive and conduct preliminary evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals;
• Prepare Purchase Orders and contracts in and outside of e-procurement, prepare recurring purchase orders for contracting services, create vendors and buyer profiles in e-procurement; and maintain the filing system in the Procurement unit;
• Prepare submissions for internal procurement review committees (CAP, RACP and ACP).

3. Contribute to implementation of sourcing strategies to find best values in the marketplace:

• Update rosters of suppliers.

4. Support procurement knowledge building and knowledge sharing in CO:

• Participate in procurement training for operations and project staff;
• 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.

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 

Procurement: 

• Sourcing
  • Ability to find, evaluate and engage suppliers of goods and services.
• Financial Analysis
  • Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance related transactions to determine their performance and suitability.
• Data Management
  • Knowledge of processing, storing and validating procurement data.

Business Management: 

• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers’ needs;
  • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy;
  • Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests;
  • Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
• Communication
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience;
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Working with evidence and data
  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.