Dutystation: Kabul, Afghanistan
Functional responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions
Development and implementation of contract management plans
Introduction and implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools
Management of and guidance on procurement processes
Team Management
Knowledge building and knowledge sharing
1. Development and implementation of contract management plans
Appropriate application of UNOPS procurement governance framework (rules, regulations, policies and tools) in Business Unit and Project operations.
Plans and manages all contractual aspects; establishes and maintains work programmes and schedules for on-going contracts and newly planned ones.
Supports the development of technical evaluation criteria, and provides guidance during contract drafting.
Develops a quality assurance plan to provide a systematic 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.
Initiates contract close outs including identifying, documenting and disseminating best practices and lessons learned and securing the final contractor performance assessment.
Liaises with other departments in relation to claims and disputes, demanding specific performance, claiming against warranties, and other contractual remedies.
Works towards resolution of conflicts or performance issues arising in cases of poor performance and/or non-compliance with contractual obligations.
2. Introduction and implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools
Creation, development and management of rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, quality and performance measurement mechanisms.
Ensures that the e-sourcing tools are used in accordance with agreed goals and standards in this area.
3. Management and guidance of procurement processes
Provision of supply-market intelligence and analysis.
Procurement strategies, approaches and plans designed and implemented according to cost reduction and saving strategies, applying:
Expertise in market intelligence matched to business requirements;
Optimal Stakeholder management principles;
Sustainability criteria;
Appropriate work processes to individual cases.
Oversight and supervision of the implementation and results of strategic and routine procurement work plans in Business Unit, covering Pre-Purchasing: Strategy and Planning; Requirements Definition; Sourcing; Purchasing: Solicitation; Management of Submissions; Evaluation; Review and Award; Post Purchasing: Contract finalization and issuance; Logistics; and Contract Management.
Creation, implementation and oversight of proper monitoring and control of procurement processes in Business Unit and projects including organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNOPS Procurement rules and regulations.
Review and pre-clearance of solicitation documents, requests for awards and submissions to Contract and Property Committees (CPCs) in the role of Procurement Reviewer (in OneUNOPS or Enterprise system).
Procurement contracts and contractors optimally managed through supplier and contract performance management against agreed benchmarks and through agreed reporting mechanisms.
Implementation of Internal control system.
Elaboration of comments regarding project audit reports of the Business Units, when necessary.
4. Team management
Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.
Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.
5. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing
Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for Business Unit personnel on Procurement-related topics.
Lead and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for procurement personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, procurement practice information and best practice benchmarking.
Oversee team’s contributions to Procurement knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in procurement management.
Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
Impact of Results
The effective and successful achievement of results by the Procurement Specialist - Contract Management directly impacts on the development and performance of the project. It confirms UNOPS’ role as a key and trusted partner to the World Bank, and UNOPS’ position as a critical service provider, in all challenging work environments. Given the current political and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, this project supports and strengthens UNOPS presence and visibility in Afghanistan, raising the profile of UNOPS in the global humanitarian context.
Monitoring and progress controls will be in accordance with work plans that the Supervisor and incumbent will prepare at the beginning of the assignment.   
Education/Experience/Language requirements
a. Education
An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, International Development, Finance, Business Administration, Public Policy, Accounting or other related fields is required. A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in combination with some additional years of progressively relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
An Accredited Level III Certificate in Procurement from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing or equivalent is an asset.
b. Work experience
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in procurement, contracts management or supply chain management is required.
Experience in FIDIC contracts management is highly valued.
Experience in management of UNOPS contracts and/ or grants is an asset.
Experience with Enterprise systems including OneUNOPS is desirable.
Experience in developing countries or a post-conflict context is an advantage.
Knowledge of procurement within the context of Afghanistan is highly valued.
Experience of working with/through NGOs is an advantage.
c. Languages
Proficiency in English is required.
TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE
UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.
Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.
We are proud of our people and embrace diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners. Spread across 80 countries from a range of backgrounds, and languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.
We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
