Senior Contracts Associate

Under the close supervision and guidance of the Finance Officer (Contracts) in the CSC, the Senior Contracts Associate performs highly skilled work on UNICEF individual consultancy contracts, institutional pre-contracting transactions including low-value transactions, and manages the more complex cases and client requests, which frequently requires the evaluation of difficult situations and adaptation of procedures and processes to resolve such cases. The Senior Contracts Associate is responsible for more specialized work in individual consultancy contracts, institutional pre-contracting transactions including low-value transactions and requires advanced knowledge acquired through formal training and experience. The position involves supervisory responsibility of others.

Key Expected Functions:

Planning: 

In consultation with supervisor, provides input and participates in forecasting, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the individual consultancy contracts, institutional pre-contracting transactions portfolio and low-value transactions, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose and monitoring of streamlined services provision ensuring meeting the established SLA benchmarks.

In close collaboration with the supervisor, drafts and revises SOPs for the Unit on a regular basis to ensure their validity at all times.  

Individual consultancy contracting/Institutional pre-contracting including low-value transactions:

• Provides technical advice and expertise in application, interpretation, and execution of individual consultancy, procurement and financial policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Ensures the adoption of fair and transparent solutions throughout the various stages of the processes.
• Delivers technical and operational guidance to support seamless implementation of transactional workflows.
• Liaises with clients and Supply Division in planning procurement and contracting initiatives, supporting development of appropriate specifications, terms of reference, and logistics arrangements and timelines.
• Identifies opportunities to strengthen sustainability of supply chains.
• Conducts submissions reviews and quality assurance for completeness and compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations.
• Prepares/amends/closes purchase orders/funds commitments/PRQs in SAP, and submits for relevant approvals, ensuring completeness of documentation in UNICEF systems including obtaining clearances for former UN/UNICEF staff members, facilitating submissions to Contract Review Committee.
• Ensures review and quality assurance of all transactions under individual consultancy contracts, institutional pre-contracting including low-value transactional portfolio.
• Maintains up-to-date files for all transactions for future reference including for audit, a system for monitoring the different stages of each transaction.
• Regularly extracts reports on the status of requests and take necessary action in coordination with supervisor and relevant client Divisions.
• Keeps stakeholders/partners informed on the progress by liaising with clients, Divisions, vendors and other stakeholders to ensure timely cases-completion in line with the established SLAs.
• Keeps supervisor abreast of potential problem areas.

Support in learning & capacity development:

• In consultation with supervisor, researches and analyzes data and information to help identify training needs within CSC for the development of learning plans and other targeted training interventions.
• Conducts regular training sessions for processors to enhance efficiency and performance in individual consultancy contracting, institutional pre-contracting including low-value transactions.
• Assists the CSC team in organizing and conducting courses, workshops and events by participating in exercises which aim to build capacity of stakeholders.

Other duties responsibilities:

• Ensures timely and effective performance management of staff, providing practical advice and guidance to ensure individual and team objectives are met.
• Provides practical input on implementation of guidelines in the area of individual consultancy contracting, institutional pre-contracting including low-value transactions portfolio, in close coordination with the supervisor.
• Supports supervisor and update staff on individual consultancy contracting, procurement and financial policies, procedures rules and regulations.
• Contributes to recommendations on the improvement of internal controls systems taking into account the prevailing conditions.
• In collaboration with supervisor, DHR, Supply Division, GSSC and the global community, provides input to help ensure knowledge exchange and learning is prioritized to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team.
• Develops and facilitates training of newcomers, establish processes or manuals to support effective workflows and perform related tasks are required by the supervisor and/or the CSC Chief.

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

Education:

• Completion of secondary education (High School) is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to HR, supply chain, logistics, business administration, contract/commercial law, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in individual consultancy contracting, supply chain management, procurement, or a commercial context is required.

Skills:

• Prior hands-on experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work is an advantage.
• Past supervisory role would be considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in another UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of UN and UNICEF’S rules, regulations and procedures is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/579819