Updated UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

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 the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @undp.

UNDP is a long-term development partner of the Maldives for over 45 years. In the Upper Middle-Income Country context, UNDP country office in Maldives provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Government of Maldives in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society. In Maldives, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Maldives and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Strategic Action Plan. Maldives is currently in the process of formulating its Strategic Action Plan with UNDP support following the change of government in 2023.

In the current Country Programme cycle 2022 – 2026 (https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/202207/CPD%20Maldives.pdf), UNDP has significantly shifted its programme offer to Maldives around 3 pillars supported by a diverse funding base from government finance, bilateral and multilateral donors, blended and innovative finance, etc.: (i) Integrated Governance Programme focusing on justice sector reform, decentralization and local governance with youth, gender and people with disabilities’ participation; (ii) resilience and climate actions, (iii) SDG finance and fiscal spacing, to enable Maldives to achieve sustainable development by eradicating inequality and poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

Under the direct supervision of Procurement Associate (G7) and guidance of Operations Manager, the Project Procurement Associate executes procurement services to the projects to ensure effectiveness, transparency and integrity of the procurement process. The Procurement Associate promotes a client- and results-oriented approach consistent with UNDP policies, rules and regulations. The incumbent works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and Project teams in the UNDP Maldives as well as vendors and government officials to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery.

Support the project teams to ensure effective project procurement planning and implementation.

• Provide support to the project teams on the preparation of project procurement plans and ensure that the project procurement plans are implemented and monitored on the progress accordingly.
• Ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When necessary, provide guidance to project staff on business and procurement processes, procedures and requirements.
• Support and coordinate the mainstreaming of gender equality in the project procurement plans and processes.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organizing/coordinating project events and selecting appropriate venues, coordinating project procurement procedures, maintaining project procurement records and files, recruiting project team members, and supporting contracting activities.

Support procurement processes for projects:

• Provision of inputs to preparation of procurement plans for the project.
• Support to organization of procurement processes including preparation of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, and their preliminary evaluation.
• Preparation of purchase orders and contracts in and outside Quantum, preparation of Recurring Purchase orders for contracting of services, vendor creation in Quantum, and maintenance of the filing system in the procurement Unit and buyers profile in Quantum.
• Implementation of the internal control system which ensures that purchase orders are duly prepared and dispatched. Timely corrective actions on POs with budget check errors and other problems.
• Contributes to implementation of sourcing strategy focusing on achievement of the following result.

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the project procurement:

• Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project staff. Provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action
• 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:

Business Management

• 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
• Digital Awareness and Literacy. Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.
• 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 fulfil 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. 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.
• Monitoring and Evaluation. Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
  Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
  Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Technical – Finance

• Budget management. Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets

Technical Procurement

• Procurement management. The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source