Procurement Associate

Host entity: UNESCO UKR

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Logistics, procurement, commodities, Emergency preparedness, crisis response

Application deadline: 09/09/2026

Mission and objectives

UNESCO's founding mission, which was shaped by the events of World War II, is to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights by facilitating collaboration and dialogue among nations.[It pursues this objective through five major programme areas: education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture and communication/information. UNESCO sponsors projects that improve literacy, provide technical training and education, advance science, protect independent media and press freedom, preserve regional and cultural history, and promote cultural diversity.

UNESCO assists in the translation and dissemination of world literature, helps establish and secure World Heritage Sites of cultural and natural importance, works to bridge the worldwide digital divide, and creates inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication.[14] UNESCO has launched several initiatives and global movements, such as Education For All.

Assignment context

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of UNESCO’s project and the incumbent will assist the Associate National Procurement officer with preparing and conduct initial review of requests for quotations, purchase requisitions and bids analysis summaries, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals and review contracts in full compliance with UNESCO rules and regulations.

Task description

• Prepare and regularly update procurement plans, conduct market research and supplier sourcing, support sourcing strategies and supplier evaluations, and maintain vendor records and supplier rosters.
• Ensure compliance with applicable procurement rules, procedures and internal controls, maintain complete procurement files and audit trails, update procurement trackers, and prepare procurement reports and data analysis.
• Organize end-to-end procurement processes for goods, services and works, including preparation and issuance of RFQs, ITBs and RFPs, review of Terms of Reference, technical specifications, Statements of Work and evaluation criteria, and administration of received bids and proposals.
• Coordinate technical and financial evaluations, support evaluation committees, prepare evaluation reports and award recommendations, prepare submissions to relevant procurement authorities.
• Prepare Purchase Orders, contracts, amendments and other contractual documentation, ensuring that all procurement and contractual actions are properly completed, approved and documented.
• Monitor contracts, purchase orders, deliveries and supplier performance, support contract implementation and close-out, liaise with suppliers and internal stakeholders, and address procurement bottlenecks, implementation issues and risks.
• Provide procurement advice and operational support to programme and project teams, contribute to procurement training, and support the development of procedures, templates, knowledge-sharing materials and lessons learned.

Skills and experience

• Experience in procurement and supply chain management, including planning, sourcing, contract management, and logistics coordination; experience within the United Nations system or other international/multicultural organizations is highly desirable.
• Proven expertise in international vendor sourcing, market analysis, and contract negotiation, ensuring best value for money and compliance with organizational procurement policies and procedures.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to manage and analyze procurement data effectively.
• Practical experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP (procurement module), is considered an asset.
• CIPS Level II or higher certification is considered an asset.

Competencies and values

• Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities and delivers outputs in line with organizational policies and standards. Demonstrates reliability and integrity in handling procurement-related tasks.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Adjusts effectively to changing environments, priorities, and demands. Remains composed and productive under pressure.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates a high level of knowledge and understanding of procurement practices and ethical standards. Maintains confidentiality and applies sound judgment in decision-making.
• Planning and Organizing: Effectively plans and manages time and resources to meet deadlines and quality standards. Anticipates risks and develops contingency plans when needed.
• Judgement and Decision-Making: Gathers relevant information and applies sound reasoning to make timely and transparent decisions aligned with procurement principles and organizational objectives.
• Creativity: Brings forward innovative solutions and process improvements to enhance procurement operations and ensure value for money.

Living conditions

The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.

As it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves.

Allowances:
• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 2615 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Danger and hardship differential for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
• USD 350 entry lump sum, one-time payment.
• USD 120 Exit lump sum for each month served, paid on completion of contract.

Medical and life insurance:
• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements:
• Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.