The Project Support Unit (PSU) within the Water, Sanitation & Education Centre at UNICEF Supply Division is looking for a dedicated Procurement Assistant, GS-5 to be part of the team on a Temporary appointment basis (364 days).

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, commitment

The Water Sanitation and Education Centre (WSEC) is part of Supply Division and centralizes the procurement of WASH, Education, and Project Support portfolio which relates to power generation, transportation, core relief/security-related equipment for all UNICEF Country Offices, in addition, the WSEC is responsible for establishing global procurement arrangements for procurement of such commodities/ equipment.

The position is located within the Water, Sanitation & Education Centre in Supply Division. Through applied technical, contractual, and operational expertise, the Centre supports UNICEF country programmes and procurement services partners.  This position is located within the Project Support Unit (PSU) which is 1 of 3 units in the Water Sanitation & Education Center (WSEC).

The Procurement Assistant will be responsible for the procurement of a segment of products in the Water, Sanitation & Education Centre; providing effective services to customers, ensuring accurate and timely monitoring of shipments up to the completion and closure of the order, with the overall goal of meeting the needs and requirements of the customers.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of a Contracts Officer, performs all procurement activities in compliance with the UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations, Supply Division Manual, and other applicable procurement procedures including:

1. Reviews and evaluates incoming purchase requisitions and requests to ensure quality and adequacy of information, specifications, appropriateness of requests, quantities, shipment, delivery dates, and budgets.
2. Reviews material specifications and requirements with customers, countries, technical counterparts and the Quality Assurance Centre to ensure completeness and appropriateness. Ensures that customers’ claims/complaints are processed in collaboration with Transport and Quality Assurance Centre.
3. Prepare and draft price and cost estimates for PS transactions including freight in close cooperation with the technical unit and UNICEF Country Offices. Issues POs upon funds transfer and follows up closely with requesting partners/ country offices and freight forwarders.
4. Drafts and prepares international tender invitations. Assists with the preparation of CRC submittal. Drafts and prepares Purchase Orders. Assists with and prepares Long Term Agreements and Direct Order Arrangements.
5. Monitors the status of Orders and Deliveries with close coordination with SD Transport Centre. Proactively follows up on placed orders and deliveries with all parties concerned to ensure timely and safe delivery of goods. Monitors centre specific KPIs. Transmits all relevant information to customers including changes to planned deliveries, to facilitate delivery and customs clearance of shipments. Prepares and provides timely and regular status/monitoring reports to customers.
6. Updating of databases and management systems for use by HQ, Field Offices or Regional Offices.  
7. Prepares evaluation of suppliers with respect to delivery performance and commercial acceptability.
8. Contributes to the regular review of business processes, manuals and release note, and divisional and Centre procedures. Assist in the preparation of comprehensive forecast exercise to secure a sustained and uninterrupted supply.
9. Maintains order filing in accordance with UNICEF guidelines.
10. Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

Requirements:

• • Completion of secondary education or above
  • A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible administrative or clerical work experience is required.
  • Proficiency in the Microsoft Suite of Products (including Microsoft 365 programs and apps).
  • Fluency in English.
  • Valid work permit and residency in Denmark at the time of submitting the application. Note that the selected candidate is responsible for obtaining any required extension of their residency permit as an extension cannot be dependent on an employment with UNICEF

Desirables:

• • Completion of technical or commercial courses related to the work of procurement and supply chain.
  •  Proficiency in another UN language (Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic) is desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAs) and our core competencies as follows:

Core competencies skills

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness.
• Works Collaboratively with others.
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships.
• Innovates and Embraces Change.
• Thinks and Acts Strategically.
• Drive to achieve impactful results.
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.

To view our competency framework, please click here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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 is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

Remarks:

The closing date for this position is 27 February 2024.

Please note that we may utilize the applicant pool for this position to identify candidates for similar upcoming vacancies at the same level and within the same functional area.

Please be informed that all applications to UNICEF are handled via UNICEF’s online recruiting system. You can apply to the above position by creating your profile, and application at our website: https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/listing/

Kindly note that all applications should be in English and that applications outside of the online recruiting system will not be accepted. Kindly also note that diversity and gender balance are factors in the selection process.

NB:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/supply/