Contracts Officer (Technical Optimization Projects), P-2 (Temporary Appointment – 364 Days), Post#127031, Contracting Centre, Supply Division, Copenhagen, Denmark

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Education

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does – in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life – in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions – her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens – addressing inequity – not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

This position is targeted at experienced procurement professionals that combine strong project management skills, a solid understanding of United Nations procurement policies and procedures and experience in both service contracting and delivering the digitalization of supply chain activities.

The Contracts Officer will work on various process improvement, vision improvement and compliance supporting activities in the Policy and Procedures Unit (PPU) under the direct supervision of the Contracts Specialist (PPU).

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The key focus in PPU will be the coordination and implementation of optimization activities and support back office, trouble shooting, and queries related to existing systems:

• Drive the cross functional project team for the execution of the majority of identified and in-process SAP/VISION improvements, as well as emerging improvement initiatives for contracting processes.
• Be the eCRC and Intend back office focal point in PPU.
• Co-representing the Contracting Centre in the Vision Coordination Group meetings. Coordinating with different Centres/Divisions/Country offices to gather the required information and for the implementation of different improvement initiatives.
• Organize and conduct User Acceptance Testing of relevant new functionalities we lead and be the primary UAT support from CC for testing impact of other projects requiring our involvement.
• Scope and establish business case for any further Vision Contract enhancements to facilitate policy updates and enable compliance, such as accessibility of procurement documents, Sustainable Procurement implementation, and other indicators and trackers. In coordination with other key internal and external stake holders.
• Coordination with different Centres/Units to gather the data/information for the Efficiency Reporting of different initiatives. Review and compilation of the data for further review of the P3 CC.
• Review the need for a business case for transaction level monitoring to enable real-time Compliance reviews. (in coordination with MSDC and DFAM, and possibly OIAI)
• Assist the Contract Specialist in reviewing the Procurement policy and legal queries received on the Procurement policy inbox / Service Gateway and coordinating within the PPU and with other Centres/offices to provide prompt and appropriate feedback.
• Any other duties or assignments as requested by the Contracts Specialist (PPU).

In delivering the above activities/projects the Contracts Officer will be responsible for:

• Developing and maintaining detailed project documentation including project plans, issues logs and risks registers.
• Technical and policy support to end users – both internal and external
• Reporting on and estimating benefits (time and cost) delivered by the optimization projects.
• Coordinating and monitoring any technical system testing (especially relevant to SAP/VISION improvements)
• Creation of any training, guidance and communication documentation
• Writing, as required, scoping/options papers and presentations to summarize research and recommendations.

 Key End results

• Options developed to support the wider digitalization of UNICEF’s supply chain activities – these options could, once implemented, lead to very material efficiency savings for UNICEF’s global supply function.
• Inputs provided to the further development of the professional training materials for the supply community with special focus on the contracting for services.
• SAP/VISION improvements for service contracting processes fully implemented – to the benefit of all UNICEF Offices globally.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

A Completed 1st University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in business administration, commerce or law or technical field is required.

Work Experience:

• Minimum two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience, preferably at the international level is required.
• Experience with Procurement in UNICEF
• Good knowledge of computer applications including SAP/VISION.
• Understanding of the contracting process for goods and services.

• Experience in supporting training design and implementation highly desirable.
• Project management experience highly desirable.

• Experience in delivering the digitalization of supply chain activities i.e. implementing IT solutions for the supply chain highly desirable.
• Experience with UNICEF’s existing e-Submissions platform would be desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

 The functional competencies required for this post are;

• Planning and Organizing (level 2)
• Applying Technical Expertise (level 1)
• Relating and Networking (level 1)
• Persuading and Influencing (level 1)

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.