Contracts Specialist

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission.

We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit [our website]) to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Hope

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Contracts Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the planning, development, and execution of procurement strategies for service and goods contracting (including for ICT services, including cloud-based services, software, hardware, and ICT equipment).

The incumbent will further have to support contract management, monitoring suppliers' performance, worldwide market research and long- term procurement planning in conjunction with the HQ divisions, in order to achieve value, the most cost-effective means of procurement.

This will be executed through an effective and strategic procurement process in compliance with UNICEFs Financial Rules and Regulations, guided by public procurement principles and pursuing Value for Money for the organization.

The incumbent will plan and conduct day to day procurement activities for the NY Headquarters Divisions.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Manage the development and coordination of procurement plans and implement strategic procurement decisions and effective vendor relations management, keeping abreast developments in the technology and vendor roadmaps. Undertake market research to develop a pool of healthy vendors and maintain updated vendor list.
• Support the Divisions in developing statement of works (SOWs)/ Terms of References (TORs) i.e., review material specifications and service requisitions with the Technical Divisions to ensure completeness and appropriateness. Seek optimal value in service from vendors in consultation with NY Headquarters Division.
• Undertake risk assessments where necessary and advice on appropriate risk mitigation strategies/measures to deal with the risks.
• Undertake procurement activities of ICT goods and services in compliance with the UNICEF Financial rules and regulations, SD Manual, and all other applicable procurement procedures.
• Strategically execute the procurement in a manner appropriate for the particular categories. For ICT this include areas such as Cloud services, subscription solutions, and awareness of how to address cyber security issues, applying best practices.
• Issue tender invitations to acceptable suppliers, evaluates offers, clarifies offers and negotiates with suppliers in accordance with UNICEF procedures. Adjudicates offers in coordination with the requisitioning Divisions and technical/ QA entities as applicable. Prepares and defends submissions to CRC, drafts and negotiate contracts including long term agreements. Ensure performance and financial risk evaluation of vendors before recommendation for awards.
• Manage and monitor contractual agreements (including Long Term Agreements (LTAs) to ensure supplier compliance to LTA's and purchase order term and conditions as well as financial limits. Assist NY Headquarters Divisions to reviewing and monitoring performance and return-on-investment metric and initiating contract/LTAs modifications.
• In partnership with NY Headquarters Divisions and RO/COs, evaluates suppliers with respect to delivery performance, product acceptability and commercial acceptability.
• Support collaboration/partnership initiatives on procurement activities with UN Agencies and other international organizations in areas that will bring value for money to UNICEF.
• Participates in procurement workshops and business seminars organized by UNICEF and/or external partners, including presentation of data and representation of SD.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by Contracts Manager and/or Senior Contracts Manager.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

Education

• A completed Advanced university degree (master's degree) in Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management, or related field is required.

- *\*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and 7 years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience including at least three at the international level is required.
• Experience in commercial activities with the public or private sector in developing and industrialized countries is required.
• Experience with worldwide procurement, contract negotiations and administration.
• Understanding of the principles of public procurement.
• Good knowledge and understanding of strategic sourcing of ICT services/products and its implications for the organization is desirable.
• Good knowledge of the latest trends in procurement and contracting of information technology services and products for public sector or international organizations is strongly desirable, including subscription based Cloud Services (Software as a Service (SaaS) and similar.
• Awareness of cyber security risks, compliance with standard terms and conditions addressing information and data security, and related best practices is considered an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it.

Get acquainted with Our Values Charter:
[UNICEF Values] "")

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with [our competency framework]) and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world's most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children.

[The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone]), irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a [wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce]), such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and [reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities]). UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18).

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.

UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.

Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF.

Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN.

Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF's active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF.

UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training).

UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found [here]).

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