Chief (Procurement) (temporary), P4

This position is located in the Procurement Unit (PU) of the General Support Section (GSS) of the Division for Management (DM), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Chief, General Support Section, Division for Management of UNOV in Vienna, Austria. For more information on UNOV please visit www.unov.org

Within the delegated authority, the Chief, Procurement Unit, will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Serve as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for the supervision of a team carrying out world-wide procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with highly complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities, in accordance with the United Nations Established Procurement Procedures and the United Nations Financial Rules and Regulations. Plan and lead the procurement activities for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and for UNOV as well as other UN entities, as required. • Provide policy procurement guidance to the Chief of the General Support Section as well as technical advice on procurement strategic activities to all levels of officials of substantive units during all phases of the procurement cycle. • Analyze, evaluate and process procurement requests and ensure that technical specifications are thorough in terms of completeness; also ensure appropriate and measurable evaluation criteria in accordance with best value for money principles and policies. • Monitor and supervise the development and preparation of highly complex contracts for procurement of non-routine and technologically advanced commodities or long-range services; monitor the issuance of international tender invitations; supervise the evaluation of responses to tender, and make recommendations for finalization of purchases and award of contracts; sign procurement orders up to the authorized limit, monitor the signature of lower delegations of procurement authority, and, in cases where the amount exceeds authorized signature authority, prepare submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official. • Develop new strategic and tactical approaches to contracts, as well as new methods for their application, based on market research. • Supervise the implementation of institutional procurement policies and procedures; monitor and ensure the development of standards and criteria for the evaluation of goods, services, supplier capacity, etc. • Supervise the identification, review, qualification and registration of potential suppliers; evaluate the productive capacities and performance of manufacturers to identify supply sources. Approve Source Selection Plan for Formal Procurement cases. • Establish approaches for negotiations and conducts and/or coordinate all phases of negotiations with all concerned parties, including the negotiation of disputes arising from contracts. • Support the Chief, General Support Section, in developing a well-managed and agile supply chain to support UNOV, UNODC, including its field presence and other UN Vienna-based or UN Secretariat entities. • Design, manage and monitor a sustainable and scalable delegation of authority framework for procurement, including regular interactions with UNHQ counterparts to ensure its continued effectiveness, efficiency and responsiveness to changing operational environments. • Carry out capacity building and fact-finding missions to UNODC field offices. • Manage the work and supervise the staff of the Unit; distribute the workload amongst staff through the Procurement Tracking System, ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, enhance the on-going automation of office procedures. • Contribute to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate. • Engage with the UN’s internal and external oversight bodies regarding recommendations and observations related to the procurement area. • Manage, guide, develop and train staff under her/his supervision. Carry out administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring the performance parameters and critical indicators, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates; recruit staff taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values. • Participate in international, regional or national meetings and provide programmatic/substantive expertise on issues; also holds organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Perform other work-related tasks, as required.

Professionalism: Has knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and all phases of international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for highly complex and technologically advanced goods and services. Has knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex procurement and contract issues. Has knowledge of quantitative methods to measure supplier capacity systems and ability to identify sources of supply, market trends and pricing. Is able to shape and influence agreements with requisitioning units and vendors. Is able to apply technical expertise to resolve a range of complex and/or sensitive issues/problems. Is able to develop procurement strategies, policies, procedures and new programmes. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, law or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

An adequate professional certification by an internationally recognized procurement certification authority (CIPS or equivalent) is required (e.g. CIPS4).

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contract management, administration or related area, is required. Working experience in an ERP system is required. Experience working with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable. Working experience with SAP (Umoja) is desirable. Demonstrated experience in the implementation of procurement structures/frameworks or a supply chain initiative involving change management and delegation of authority is desirable. Experience in developing and conducting training in the supply chain area, procurement and other cross functional processes is desirable. Demonstrated experience in managing a team is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This temporary position is available for 364 days. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection may be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period, will normally be at a staff member’s personal grade and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Payment of Special Post Allowance (SPA) to the post level may be considered after three months subject to certain conditions. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.  All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.  The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff.  Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.