Procurement Officer
Organizational Context
The Department of Operational Support provides end-to-end operational support across the UN Secretariat. The Procurement Division within the Office of Supply Chain Management is mandated to deliver expert procurement services and business advice to UN entities, ensuring value for money through competitive, fair, and transparent processes. This role is situated within the Facilities, Construction and Security Section (FCSS) and reports to the Chief of FCSS.
Job Purpose
This Procurement Officer role supports the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) by managing a wide range of complex technical and legal contracts for goods and services. The position involves providing expert technical advice throughout the procurement cycle, analyzing requests, and developing intricate contracts for non-routine and advanced commodities. Responsibilities include issuing international tenders, evaluating bids, recommending contract awards, and managing procurement orders within delegated authority. The role also contributes to developing institutional procurement policies and procedures, evaluating supplier capabilities, and conducting market research to inform contract strategies and negotiations. The incumbent will also provide direction and guidance to junior staff.
Responsibilities
Serve as a senior procurement and contracting expert for UNSOH, managing complex technical and legal contracts for diverse goods and services. Provide technical advice on procurement activities to substantive units across all procurement cycle phases. Analyze and evaluate procurement requests, ensuring technical specification appropriateness. Develop and prepare highly complex contracts for non-routine and technologically advanced commodities or long-range services. Issue international tender invitations, evaluate responses, and recommend contract awards. Sign procurement orders up to the authorized limit and prepare submissions for the Contracts Committee for higher values. Develop new tactical approaches and methods for contract application based on market research. Contribute to institutional procurement policy development and establish standards for evaluating goods, services, and supplier capacity. Examine production patterns in exporting countries and evaluate manufacturer capabilities. Establish negotiation strategies and conduct or coordinate negotiations, including dispute resolution. Potentially undertake consultancy missions in the field and provide direction to junior staff.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in procurement, contract management, contract administration, or logistics/supply chain management is required. This includes at least two years of experience in conducting international tender exercises within the last five years and two years in public sector procurement processes related to construction and facilities management. Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and/or e-tendering systems (e.g., Ariba) is mandatory. Experience supporting field operations or similar international organizations is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, Planning & Organizing, Client Orientation, knowledge of international procurement standards, contract law expertise, quantitative methods for supplier capacity assessment, market trend analysis, negotiation skills, ability to shape agreements, technical expertise for problem-solving, policy development, and efficient time management.