Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a UN agency that works in about 170 countries and territories, helping eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience. It thereby helps them sustain progress and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. In Ukraine, UNDP operates with three programme priorities: Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Recovery and Growth, and Sustainable Environment and Energy Transformation.

Northern Ukraine has approximately 3 million ha of wet peat soils, many of which have been drained for agriculture; approximately 1 million ha remain in a natural state. This landscape is a mosaic of steppe forests, wetlands, and river valleys, which sustain rich but threatened ecosystems. Livelihoods are agriculture-based, with livestock farming a key part of the economy. Although the drained peatlands briefly provided rich agriculture lands, over a short time the drained peatlands have become degraded, as mineralization and peat fires take a continuous toll, while emitting GHGs. The water table across the region continues to subside, which causes forest die-offs. Peat fires also have a significant negative impact on human health and local economies. Land use is not optimized, so agriculture continues to encroach on high value ecosystems. However, increased grazing and hay cutting could be beneficial in some abandoned lands in order to maintain biodiverse open peat meadows that are being overgrown by woody vegetation. Underlying drivers of this situation are limited local and national capacity and coordination in land use planning, limited technical knowledge for agriculture on wet peatlands (paludiculture), limited capital access and investment in sustainable agriculture, limited and deteriorating water management infrastructure, and livestock value chains that currently do not sufficiently incentivize sustainable livestock production in peatlands.

The project will catalyze a transition across the landscape to sustainable livestock farming in peatlands, while restoring key areas for maintenance of ecosystem services to support both vibrant livestock agriculture and biodiversity. This will be achieved through i) implementation of Integrated Land Use Plans (ILUPs); ii) promotion of sustainable livestock production practices and value chains, including a multi-stakeholder sustainable livestock platform; iii) conservation and restoration of natural habitats; and iv) coordination, learning, information dissemination, and knowledge management. Planned project results include more than 9,000 direct beneficiaries; improved status of biodiversity including 18 globally significant species; 150,000 ha under improved agriculture; 40,000 ha of land restored; 240,000 ha of high value peatlands and steppe forest ecosystems conserved; and increased knowledge and understanding of sustainable livestock practices in wet peat soils.

Under close supervision of Project Manager and technical support from CO Procurement team, the Procurement Associate will perform all tasks necessary to procure goods, services, individual consultants, and construction services in accordance with with UNDP rules and regulations, to support implementation of Livestock project.

The incumbent will promote UNDP's mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure implementation of operational strategies of the Livestock:
• Full compliance of Livestock procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control.

2)    Contribute to the procurement processes for Livestock project:
•    Faciliating the project personnel in preparation of procurement plan and its implementation monitoring.
•    Organization of procurement processes including preparation and conduct of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations.
•    Preparation of Purchase Orders and Contracts in and outside Quantum, preparation of Recurring Purchase orders for contracting of services, vendors’ creation in Quantum.
•    Preparation of submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP), Regional Advisory Committee on Procurement (RACP) and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP).
•    Management of the internal control system which ensures that Purchase orders are duly prepared. Timely corrective actions on POs with errors and other problems.
•    Providing inputs to reports on procurement in the CO.
•    Serving as a secretary of the tender procurement processes of the Livestock procurement activities including: prepare all procurement documents, distribute and present relevant documentation to the members of the committee; coordinate procurement evaluation committee meetings; prepare procurement evaluation committee reports as well as maintain records of all documentation and reports.
•    Review of Terms of Reference (TOR)/technical specifications/Statement of Work (SOW) according to UNDP regulations, required evaluation criteria and scoring and provide procurement related inputs before the Country Office’s Procurement Unit clearance.
•    Maintain and improve the contract management system and ensure that accountability to donors and internal stakeholders is met.
•    Implementation of e-tendering practices.
•    Review and clearance of documents related to Micro-purchase Canvass procedure.

3) Ensure implementation of sourcing strategy:
• Contribute to conducting market research for the procurement cases.

4)    Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:
•    Providing procurement related guidance to the Livestock, in close cooperation with the Procurement Unit of the County Office.
•    Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Procurement implemented in Livestock procurement processes.
•    Sound contribution to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

5)    Promote Gender Equality and a Safe, Inclusive Workplace
•    Demonstrate leadership and personal accountability in fostering an organizational culture of gender equality and zero tolerance for any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment.
•    Respect and promote diversity and inclusion by ensuring all team members, partners, and vendors are treated equally and fairly, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, ability, or other identity markers.
•    Model respectful professional behavior by identifying and addressing sexism, gender discrimination, and other forms of bias in internal and external interactions.
•    Ensure all personnel and partners are informed of, and adhere to, corporate policies on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, and codes of conduct.
•    Support work-life balance and care responsibilities by recognizing the caregiving roles of both women and men, and encouraging the use of family-friendly policies, flexible work arrangements, and inclusive facilities.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Procurement Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager. S/he will ensure the administration, transparent and efficient provision of procurement services and processes for the Livestock project.

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Procurement	Contract management	Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
Procurement	Supplier/relationship management	Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
Business Direction & Strategy	Entrepreneurial Thinking	Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service o ers responding to client needs in line with UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate
Business Direction & Strategy	Effective Decision Making	Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications
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 Development	Knowledge Generation	Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations
2030 Agenda: People	Gender	Gender and Crisis

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements	Secondary education is required, or University Degree in Procurement, Logistics, Management, Economics, Law, Business Administration, Public Administration, Engineering, or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. CIPS level 2 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.
Min. years of relevant Work experience	A minimum of 6 years (with Secondary Education) or 3 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in procurement/supply chain, logistics or related areas is required.
Required Skills	Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of automated procurement systems.
Desirable criteria	Experience in handling of web-based management systems, such as ERP system. Experience in the management of procurement processes using procurement management / planning tools. Prior experience with a UN Agency or International Organization in the field of procurement. Experience in organizing procurement processes of different modalities (RFQs or ITBs, or RFPs).
Required Language(s)	Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

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.

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

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Procurement Associate, NPSA-6, DS - Kyiv, National Position