Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Administrative and Finance Officer/ Operations Manager and the overall supervision of the Representative, ROMENA. For more information on UNODC, please visit the website at www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Procurement Assistant will be responsible for the following specific duties:

Review, record and prioritize purchasing requests and obtain additional information/documentation as required; provide assistance to requisitioners in preparing scope of work and specifications of goods and services; propose product substitutions consistent with requirements to achieve cost savings; determine the availability of funding sources.
Identify and recommend sources of procurement, interview potential suppliers.
Produce tender documents: Invitations to Bids, Requests for Proposals and Requests for Quotation based on the nature of the requirements and cost of procurement involved.
Prepare procurement processes, including the drafting of RFQ, ITB and RFP documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, and their preliminary evaluation.
Assist in the preparation of purchase orders and contracts, preparation of recurring purchase orders for contracting of services.
Contribute to maintain relations with UNODC vendors and support vendors register in the UNGM and Umoja systems and maintain the filing system at the Procurement Unit.
Prepare abstracts of offers and compile data contained in quotations, proposals and bids to determine which supplier can deliver the required goods/services at the best terms and lowest costs possible with due consideration to quality, delivery time, prompt payment and other discounts, transportation costs, etc.
Enter negotiation of terms and conditions of orders under the guidance of Procurement Officers; obtain credit and other information on proposed suppliers.
Finalize purchase orders and contracts for approval by the Procurement Officer, prepare submission to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official.
Resolve issues/problems related to delivered goods, including discrepancies between purchase orders and items/quantities shipped or received; prepare and sign Return to Vendor forms for unacceptable and/or damaged goods received.
Maintain relevant internal databases and files; keep track of any contractual agreements, direct provisioning contracts, etc. and inform affected users of contractual rights and obligations.
Research, retrieve and present information from a variety of internal and external sources on sources of supply, vendors by commodity, etc., as well as obtain specifications for new products and equipment on the market.
Prepare Piggy Backing forms for LTAs and obtain the needed approvals, ensuring that the LTA’s database is up to date and follow up on the requirements not to exceed the approved amounts.
Ensure implementation of operational strategies, focusing on achieving the following results: Provision of inputs to procurement processes and mapping, and elaboration of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on procurement and logistics, in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.
Provide effective control of supporting documents for all types of contracts.
Maintain hard and e-filing systems ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials/documents.
Compile and prepare briefings and presentation material for UNODC colleagues, background information and documentation for meetings.
Support on processing Procurement processes related to the services at UNODC Cairo Office.
Prepare procurement reports from SAP/ ERP Modules as required.
Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of procurement policies, processes and procedures and of purchasing and accounting techniques. Knowledge of financial rules and regulations and ability to research and gather information from a variety of standard sources and to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

A Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS) Level 4 Diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of work experience in procurement, administrative services or related areas is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in the usage of computers and standard MS Office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. Work experience with the United Nations system and/or other international organizations is desirable. At least one year of experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable. Experience in a large Enterprise Resource Planning System is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II
Arabic	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The appointment against this position is limited to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. THIS IS A FIXED TERM LIMITED POSITION. Appointment against this project post is for an initial period of one (1) year. The candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (c) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on Administration of appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their career 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. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP

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.