Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), Division for Operations (DO) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Dakar, Senegal. As Head of the West and Central Africa Procurement Hub, the Procurement Officer works under the direct supervision of the Chief (Procurement), UNOV/UNODC Procurement Unit in Vienna, and the overall supervision of the ROSEN Representative. The incumbent also supports and provides technical oversight for procurement functions at the UNODC Country Office in Nigeria (CONGA). The incumbent will execute his/her functions as part of the ROSEN Operations Team and work in close coordination with the Operations Officer. For more information on UNODC, please visit the website www.unodc.org.

Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected, upon request, to support other UNODC offices and Global Programmes in the West and Central Africa region where UNODC operates. Within assigned authority the Procurement Officer will provide the following specific duties:

Serve as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for the procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with technically and legally complex contracts and procurement activities; lead and support the procurement work of Regional Offices.
Plan, develop and manage all procurement and contractual aspects of projects of significant complexity related to diverse services and commodities (e.g., information technology, specialized electronic equipment and instruments, medicines, safety and security equipment including PPE, foodstuffs, building maintenance materials, refurbishment work, office supplies, furniture, etc.), taking into account local economic and other conditions.
Plan, develop and manage procurement activities related to infrastructure and major construction projects, including those of significant value, in consultation and supported by UNOV/UNODC Procurement Unit, in close cooperation with UNODC architects, engineers, national authorities to ensure that all local, state, and national building codes and regulations and safety precautions are followed.
Lead the preparation and implementation of procurement according to the United Nations Secretariat Financial Regulations and Rules; when applicable, oversee procurement processed by other UN entities — including through the Common Back Office (CBO) arrangement following the upcoming relocation to the UN House in Dakar — ensuring conformity with their respective rules, regulations, and the UN system principle of Mutual Recognition.
Coordinate procurement functions between ROSEN and CONGA (UNODC Country Office in Nigeria) under the West and Central Africa Procurement Hub arrangement, including harmonizing delegation of authority thresholds, ensuring equitable workload distribution among buyers across both offices, and formalizing arrangements for ad-hoc mutual support with the UNOV/UNODC Procurement Unit.
Provide technical advice and quality assurance on procurement activities to officials, buyers, and focal points during all phases of the procurement cycle; analyze and evaluate procurement requests and ensure appropriateness of technical specifications.
Develop and prepare complex contracts for procurement of non-routine and technologically advanced commodities or long-range services; establish long-term agreements; issue international tender invitations; evaluate responses to tenders; make recommendations for finalization of purchases and award of contracts; sign procurement orders up to the authorized limit and prepare submissions to the Contracts Committee for higher-value approvals.
Formulate strategies and design innovative solutions to resolve issues or conflicts in complex procurement projects, particularly construction, liaising closely with national authorities to ensure compliance with local laws.
Establish and maintain work programmes and schedules for ongoing and newly planned contracts; develop tactical approaches to contracts and new methods for their application based on market research.
Contribute to the development of regional procurement guidance notes, procedures, workflows, standards, templates, innovation initiative and criteria for the evaluation of goods, services, and supplier capacity; streamline procurement processes and support implementation of UNOV/UNODC and Secretariat-wide initiatives.
Maintain constant examination of production patterns in exporting countries; evaluate productive capacities and performance of manufacturers to identify reliable supply sources.
Establish approaches for negotiations and conduct or coordinate all phases of negotiations with concerned parties, including resolution of disputes arising from contracts.
Prepare, review, clear and/or approve a variety of procurement-related documents, Note to File (NtF), contracts, communications, guidelines, and instructions.
Develop and deliver procurement-related training (mainly in English and French), coaching, and guidance to staff, buyers, managers, and project teams; organize staff development activities and supervise junior staff where applicable.
Manage preparation of accurate and timely reports of procurement activities; monitor and manage auditing of procurement activities, ensuring recommendations are implemented in conformity with compliance rules.
Monitor corporate KPI and coordinate with counterparts to ensure compliance with procurement standards.
Lead the implementation and adoption of enterprise and corporate tools mandated by UNOV/UNODC to enhance productivity and improve overall operations efficiency. These tools may include the Procurement Tracker, the e-tendering tool (Ariba), the Instant Feedback System (IFS) and the Contract Performance Reporting Tool (CPRT). Following deployment, ensure their effective utilization through user support, guidance, monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives to maximize organizational benefits and compliance.
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.
Monitor and oversee the use of Low Value Acquisition (LVA) within the Hub, with the aim to identify opportunities for consolidation, reducing reliance on LVA, and promoting the establishment and use of Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) for the Hub.
Liaise closely with all programmes and project teams in the Hub and ensure efficient and continuous communication and exchange of information.
Conduct missions to the field, as and when needed.
Provide guidance to and supervise procurement staff and personnel.
Participate and represent UNODC, as delegated, in UN Country Team Operations working groups.
Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards and of 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. Has ability to apply technical expertise to resolve a range of complex and/or sensitive issues/problems. Is able to develop procurement 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. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. 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. Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches tasks to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

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

Job - Specific Qualification

Professional certification in supply chains such as Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply certification (CIPS Level 4) or equivalent is required. Evidence of such certification must be uploaded as part of the application.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional work experience in procurement and contract management is required. Work experience in using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is required. Demonstrated work experience in managing a team is required. Experience working with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable. Work experience with SAP (Umoja), including generating and analyzing procurement reports from the system, is desirable. Demonstrated procurement work experience with counterparts in the field is desirable. Experience in developing and conducting training in procurement and other cross-functional processes is desirable. Work experience in the procurement of architectural and construction services for construction projects is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III
French	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is financed from extra-budgetary resources. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 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. Dakar is classified in the A category (family duty station).

United Nations Considerations

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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Procurement Officer (Head, West and Central Africa Procurement Hub)