CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Supply Chain Management Services of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), in duty station Goma. The Contracts Management Officer will report to the Chief Supply Chain Management Services.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Contracts Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Manage the work of the Contracts Management Section (CMS) to ensure the effective implementation of contracts, with an aim to achieve probity and proper performance of obligations by both parties. • Plays a pivotal role in the development and implementation of operational plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), initiatives and projects relating to contract compliance, performance management and contracts administration. • Coordinates with Technical Units and the Procurement Section to prepare a detailed contracts management and administration plans in alignment with the budget and maintains the plan in the planning system. • Liaises with UN Global Service Centre (UNGSC) and/or UNHQ regarding the submission and reporting on the mission’s contracts and performance. • Contributes to and monitor the execution of internal controls over contractual activities and support functions. • Advises recipient entities and technical units periodically on the progress of contracts and detailed status of implementation of the contracts. • Prepares integrated, timely and accurate reports to monitor and track all aspects of the Mission contracts to ensure uninterrupted contracts management and administration so as to meet operational requirements. • Oversees the contractual process including providing input to statement of works/requirements (including articulation of performance standards and Key Performance Indicators), development of technical evaluation criteria, assistance with evaluation of vendor proposals and guidance during contract formulation, drafting and negotiation. • Develops a quality assurance plan to provide a systematic, structured method to monitor contract performance. • Participates in the development of contract risk assessments and risk management plans, including mitigating measures. • Develops contract compliance checklists and implementation plans. • Participates in the assessment of contractor performance, including advice and action to address instances of poor performance and/or non-compliance with contractual obligations. • Conducts contract close outs including identifying, documenting and disseminating best practices and lessons learned and performing final contractor performance assessment. • Ensures the enforcement of UN contracts in consultation with the Mission stakeholders, Procurement and UN Headquarters stakeholders, as appropriate. • Liaises with other departments, including the Office of Legal Affairs, in relation to handling of claims and disputes, demanding specific performance, claiming against warranties, and other contractual remedies. • Within the terms and conditions of the contract, works towards resolution of conflicts or performance issues arising in cases of poor performance and/or non-compliance with contractual obligations. • Drafts relevant audit responses, as required. • Supervises and monitors performance indicators for UN personnel within the Unit, as required. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated knowledge in the field of supply chain, acquisition planning, contract and project management, including knowledge of quality assurance, supply/distribution contracts; Practical knowledge of management of commodity and service contracts; demonstrated responsibility and very good knowledge of UN financial rules; procurement manual and contracts management policy, ability to develop, maintain and supervise management control systems. The ability to analyzed 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure 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 task 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. 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

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in supply chain management, business administration, logistics, procurement or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in supply chain, project/contracts management and logistics support of which three (3) years at the supervisory level are required. Experience in supply chain or logistics with international organizations is desirable. Experience in the use of contract performance reporting tool (CPRT) is desirable. Experience with MRP (Materials Requirements Planning), ERP (Enterprise resource planning) e.g. SAP ECC (ERP Central Component), or SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) in the areas of contracts management, production planning, scheduling, procurement and logistics processes is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This job opening is to identify the most qualified candidate for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Candidates endorsed by the FCRB but not selected will be placed on the Contract Management Officer, P4 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection. This job opening is to identify the most qualified candidate for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Candidates endorsed by the FCRB but not selected will be placed on the Contract Management Officer, P4 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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.

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. 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.