Over the past decades, Bangladesh made remarkable human development progress, despite frequent intensive and extensive disasters, the impact of climate change, and, more recently, the Rohingya refugee crisis. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, the country is an aspirant of LDC graduates and aims to become a developed nation by 2041.

However, its development gains have not been distributed in an equitable way resulting in widening inequality despite making good progress in women economic empowerment. Its economic reliance on foreign remittances and  RMG have increasingly being exposed to the 4^th Industrial Revolution and more recently COVID-19.

In addressing the challenges, the country was able to maintain a forward-facing policy environment. As a result, the reduction of poverty and inequality, and becoming a resilient nation remain the GoB’s top priority. The country is also known for its accelerated implementation approach of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through nationally driven policies and investments.

In support of the country’s ambition, UNDP has been a strong partner of the government in codesigning policy solutions, capacity building and promoting innovations. The expectation from UNDP to play an SDG integrator role is growing in the context of the post-UN reform. This Job Description is designed to support a more integrated and collaborative way in supporting Bangladesh achieve sustainable development and sustainable peace. The Country Office has designed new ways of working that will facilitate more collaboration across the office and higher delivery and emphasize learning and support to national staff capacity development.

In this context the Procurement Unit is entrusted with:

• Facilitation of local procurement processes
• Coordination of procurement oversight mechanism
• Advisory support and oversight of programme / project procurement planning

The Procurement Assistant will be part of a team also providing technical support to programmes and projects in the CO, or as otherwise directed.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Assist in Implementation of operational strategies
• Support in procurement processes
• Assist in Implementation of sourcing strategy
• Provision of logistical services
• Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Assist in implementation of operational strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
• Provision of inputs to the Project Procurement business processes mapping and elaboration of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Procurement in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.
• Preparation of submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP) and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP).
• Preparation of Purchase orders and contracts in Quantum, preparation of Recurring Purchase orders for contracting of services, vendor creation in Quanntum, maintenance of the filing system in the procurement Unit.

2. Support to procurement processes programmes and projects  project focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provision of inputs to preparation of procurement plans for the office.
• Support to organization of procurement processes including preparation of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Creating vendors in Quantum, when necessary.
• Provide support in Implementation of the internal control system which ensures that Purchase orders are duly prepared and dispatched. Timely corrective actions on POs with budget check errors and other problems.
• Prepare Presentation of reports on procurement in the Project
• Organization of procurement processes, especially customs clearing.
• Provision of procurement-related logistical services and tax exemptions and customs clearance processes.

3. Assist in Ensuring organization of procurement-related logistical services focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of purchase order preparation
• Processing tax exemption documents and timely customs clearance.
• Organization of Customs clearance information records and database.

4. Contributes to implementation of sourcing strategy focusing on achievement of the following result:

• Update of the rosters of suppliers.
• Conduct research on sourcing strategies to be emulated in the CO.

5. Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of trainings for the project staff on operations/projects staff on Procurement and tax exemptions processes.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Procurement.
• 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.

Institutional Arrangement:

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Procurement, the Procurement Assistant provides support to the Procurement Unit working in close collaboration with unit colleagues and with the Operations, Programme and project teams, UNDP HQs staff and Procurement Support Office in Copenhagen to successfully deliver procurement services.

• Experience in the use of Office software packages, and in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Experience in preparation of procurement plans for the office and projects and their implementation monitoring;
• Experience in supporting procurement processes for programme and projects;
• Experience in organization of procurement-related logistical services.
• Experience of implementation of sourcing strategy.
• Experience in development and update of the rosters of suppliers, implementation of supplier selection and evaluation;
• Experience in develop and maintain vendor management and carryout regular assessment of vendor performance assessment;
• Good communications skills both written and oral;
• Experience in engaging with stakeholders;
• Innovative problem solving and effective organizational skills;
• Good client orientation and planning skills;
• Previous experience in similar positions and with similar roles will be an advantage.

• Fluency in English and Bangla is required.