Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP provides integrated programmatic, policy and financing solutions to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, UNDP has created a Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Crisis Bureau (CB) are the two anchor Bureaux of the GPN.

In this context, the newly established Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding (GRP) Hub, a joint endeavour with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Crisis Bureau (CB), provides leadership and advisory services to enhance UNDP’s impact on governance and peacebuilding, ensuring the integration of democratic governance and human rights into crisis response and recovery. The Hub aims to build an integrated portfolio collaboratively between the CB and BPPS and establish partnerships with various stakeholders including the UN System, IFIs, civil society, and the private sector. The Hub’s functions involve providing leadership, advising on strategic positioning, managing global programs, developing GRP solutions, and leading crisis response and recovery support. They also focus on knowledge management and learning, establishing thematic and operational partnerships, and mobilizing resources. Thematic areas include peacebuilding, rule of law, local action, governance, human rights, and democratic institutions. Cross-cutting issues address digital transformation, data for SDG16+, and gender inclusion. The initiative aims to ensure that gender dimensions are systematically and measurably addressed in UNDP's GRP work.

Through the Local Action Team, the GRP Hub seeks to contribute to peace and development, achieving a visible impact on communities and improving lives by delivering integrated solutions that harness global expertise and partnerships. The Local Action Team works closely with local and regional governments and other local actors as key development players, highlighting their role as public service implementers, as drivers of innovation and the closest institution to people.

Position Purpose

Local and regional governments are already responsible of over 65% of the SDG targets, most of them linked to basic service provision from water, sanitation, mobility, climate action, health or education. Cities and territories are playing a big part on the implementation of SDGs, that are becoming a new tool for strategic planning and budgeting in the mid to long-term. Since 2015, local governments and their associations have been increasingly active in promoting the SDGs through advocacy, working with their local population and partners in transposing the spirit of Agenda 2030 in cities and territories. Local Governments have also started to use SDGs as a strategic framework to deliver better and more innovative public services linked to SDG targets and indicators.

To deliver more effectively on the above, UNDP is seeking to recruit an Operations and Quality Assurance Specialist with the overall responsibility of leading the operations of the SDG Local Action project, ensuring the highest efficiency in the delivery of functions, in particular, in the areas of strategy development, procurement planning, procurement advise, end-end procurement support, finance, human resources and administration oversight, and contract administration to the SDG Local Action project. Under the supervision of the Advisor on cities and local governments, the Operations and Quality Assurance Specialist provides critical and practical guidance on operations and procurement advice to ensure the implementation of activities. The Operations and Quality Assurance Specialist will also provide support to the implementation of the Mayors Challenge in terms of oversight, project management, procurement and administration support, working directly with local governments and their partners.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leads the operations of the SDG Local Action project, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide advice on and quality control for contract terms and clauses, penalties, handling of guarantees, and any other issues related to contracts or purchase orders;
Serve as a key support and contributor on all SDG Local Action project related procurement cycle needs, including, anticipating procurement needs, ensuring to also assess risks, propose risk mitigation strategies and maintaining vigilance throughout the procurement process particularly at it relates to the sourcing and selection of vendors, throughout the procurement process, and after the award of the contract;
Ensure full compliance of finance and procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; elaboration of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement and finance management system;
Represent the SDG Local Action project in the communication and liaison with operations personnel from UN and non-UN partners as required;
Provide strategic oversight and coordination of finance, human resources and administrative operations, for the SDG Local Action Project.

Ensures efficient management of procurement processes for the implementation of UNDP support to the Mayors Challenge, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Prepares procurement plans to ensure project implementation in the city winners, to ensure realistic procurement plans which reflect costing and monitoring mechanisms together with the city administration and project focal points;
Review annual works plans and project documents to adapt them to changing needs and circumstances;
Develop pre-qualification criteria for procurement of goods and services;
Develop Bid Documents, evaluation criteria, and provide guidance/support;
Prepare Ex-ante submissions for approval by appropriate procurement committees;
Coordinate and advise on formal evaluation of bids, processing of technical clarifications on behalf of evaluation committees and finalization of commercial evaluation of bids;
Prepare and certify submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP) and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP), including active coordination and resolution of any issues;
Advise cities on the formulation of procurement plans using the appropriate tools to ensure consistency with UNSP strategy, while also incorporating and implementing “sustainable” procurement goals (green procurement, digital transformation initiatives, etc.);
Analyze and evaluates procurement plans to harmonize strategies (LTAs, Rosters, etc.), determine appropriate procurement methodologies and ensure appropriateness and consistency with organizational needs.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge regarding local public procurement processes and PPP management:

Supports participant cities to rethink and improve their own operations and procurement systems;
Offers advice about elements to consider during the establishments of PPPs with private providers regarding public service delivery during the whole term of the contract;
Together with the dedicated team, organizes training and knowledge building for the city staff on procurement policies and new tools and systems;
Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in procurement;
Identifies and shares trends on public procurement at municipal level;
Conduct supply market analysis of requirements in order to understand how the market works, the direction, the competitiveness of the market and the key suppliers;
Contribute to the further development of systems, standard operating procedures, processes, tools and methods relevant to global and specialist procurement operations.

Project Management guidance and support

Provide advice on project activities as per UNDP - POPP - Policy Page and guidance to COs on related matters;
Perform quality assurance function and guide on accountability systems Collects and elaborate information supplied by UNDP Country offices, promoting institutional knowledge generation and exchange in line with UNDP Strategic Plan;

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise 3 NPSA9 - buyer profile and other staff assigned within the project

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People's management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Communications - Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
Business Management - Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
Business Management - 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.
Business Direction & Strategy - Negotiation and Influence: Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Management - Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
Procurement - Procure-to-Pay: Knowledge of purchase-to-pay cycles, concepts, principles and policies, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Procurement or Supply Chain Management, Law, Finance or related field from an accredited college is required or;
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.
CIPS level 4 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years (with Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressive relevant experience at national and international level in public, government and/or UN procurement management;
Experience in purchasing methods, procedures and techniques of writing technical specifications is required.
Experience in sourcing a variety of goods, works and services is required.
Experience in methods of analyzing procurement needs is required.
Experience working on projects led by local and regional governments is required;
Experience in Finance, HR or Administration is required.
Experience managing teams is desired.
Experience of working in a Country Office and central level is desired;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Teams, Powerpoint, Excel, etc.) is required;

Language:

Fluency in English and Spanish is required;
Working knowledge of French and Portuguese languages will be an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Operations and Quality Assurance [Open to all applicants]