Regional Procurement Associate, G6

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity. 

UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.

As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector.  By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders.  UNCDF’s work is focused on six priority areas, including:

• Sub-national and local infrastructure financing
• Women owned enterprise financing
• Nature and climate financing 
• Energy and decarbonization finance
• Sustainable food systems financing
• Inclusive digital finance

Following a recent restructuring, UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by the Executive Board of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and performs the function of the Executive Board of UNCDF.

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the UNCDF Operations Assurance Specialist and overall guidance of the Procurement Specialist, the Procurement Associate provides support in the execution of procurement services ensuring their effectiveness, transparency and integrity. 

The Procurement Associate promotes a client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Unit. The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with other members of the Operational Effectiveness and Assurance Unit at HQ and in Regional Hubs to support the programme and project teams in UNCDF with procurement requests and resolving complex procurement-related issues and information delivery. 

UNCDF adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across

interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNCDF personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

1.) Implement sustainable procurement strategies and policies that are in alignment with principles of fairness, integrity, and transparency to achieve best value for money.

• Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UNDP/UNCDF rules, regulations, policies, through implementation of effective internal controls. 
• Elaborate the contents of internal procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and map regional procurement business processes in consultation with direct supervisor and office management. 

2.) Organize procurement processes for UNCDF projects and programmes.

• Provide guidance and inputs to the project/programme teams on procurement plans for the region.
• Prepare and conduct RFQ, ITB or RFP, and receive and evaluate quotations, bids, or proposals in full compliance with UNDP/UNCDF rules and regulations. 
• Prepare purchase orders and contracts in and outside e-procurement, prepare recurring purchase orders for contracting services, and create vendors and buyer profiles in e-procurement.
• Prepare submissions for internal procurement review committees (CAP, RACP, and ACP). 
• Prepare reports on procurements for the region. 
• Implement o joint procurement processes for the projects/programmes.
• Backstops other Procurement Associates at HQ or Regional Hubs as necessary.

3.)  Implement sourcing strategies to find best values in the marketplace and align purchasing strategy to project and UNCDF goals.

• Develop and update rosters of suppliers. 
• Implement supplier selection and evaluation. 

4.) Facilitate procurement knowledge building and knowledge sharing 

• Support procurement training for project/programme staff.
• Organize procurement training for vendors on e-procurement modules.
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in procurement.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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: None

 Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative experience is required at the national and international level. 
• Experience in public sector procurement of goods and services would be an advantage. 
• Experience in procurement management in field offices (i.e. any UN country office or regional offices) is desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of automated procurement systems is desirable. 
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English and the national language of the duty station is required.
• Knowledge of another UN languages, particularly French, is highly desired.