Procurement Assistant
Onsite
Cameroon
12 months


Open recruitment (advertised)

Advertisement end date:25/09/2024

General
Description of assignment title
Procurement Assistant

Assignment country
Cameroon

Expected start date
29/09/2024

Sustainable Development Goal
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity
UNDP

Type
Onsite

Duration
12 months

Number of assignments
1

Duty stations
Yaounde

Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

This is a critical time for the world. At UNDP, we see this period as a huge opportunity to advance the global sustainable development agenda. In September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, dis-aster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, or Global Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030.

For several years, UNDP with the support of various donors, Japan, Germany, Sweden, the European Union has made early recovery and stabilization within communities hard hit by the crisis its priority.

More recently, UNDP has committed to implementing the regional stabilization strategy, adopted in May 2018 by the States Parties of the LCBC and endorsed by the African Union.

The socio-economic situation and the endemic unemployment of youth and women in the intervention areas call for immediate interventions to consolidate the trend towards a return and the setting in orbit of an irreversible stabilization. The implementation of such immediate actions re-quires the presence within the National Stabilization Window team of a Communication and Re-porting Assistant who will work under the supervision of the Project Coordinator in collaboration with the entire team based in Maroua and Yaoundé as well as with colleagues from other projects

Context
Under the guidance and supervision of the Procurement Specialist/Recovery Programme, the Procurement Assistant ensures the exécution of transparent and efficient procurement services and processes in CO. The Procurement Assistant promotes a client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach in the Unit.

The Procurement Assistant will report to Procurement Specialist. The Procurement Assistant works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, and Projects’ staff in the CO for resolving complex procurement- related issues and information exchange.
The key results have an impact on the efficiency of the Operations/Programmes and the CO office.
•timely finalization. Implementation of operational strategies
•Organization of procurement processes
•Implementation of sourcing strategy
Rationale / background and the objectives of the unit or project
Cameroon has been experiencing armed conflict in the North-West and South-West Regions since 2017. This conflict has caused a huge death toll in both civilian and combatant populations, significant economic decline, growing underdevelopment, pain and suffering in affected communities, and a breakdown in social cohesion.
The government of Cameroon and UNDP collaborated in the formulation of the Presidential Plan for Reconstruction and Development (PPRD) of the Northwest (NW) and Southwest (SW) Regions. The PPRD feeds into the government’s efforts to resolve the current crisis. It is against this backdrop that UNDP has engaged in recovery activities in both regions. The objective of this plan is to strengthen institutions and processes that facilitate peacebuilding and resilience through the following three pillars:
•Strengthening social cohesion
•Rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure
•Revitalization of the local economy
The PPRD plan will be implemented in phases, and the first phase which is expected to cover two to three years will focus mainly on Recovery. This will complement and reinforce current humanitarian efforts by supporting the transition towards civilian led recovery and social cohesion, economy, and livelihood revitalization, and ultimately the return to normalcy for the Anglophone regions. The Recovery programme (RP), which concerns the first three years will therefore focus on the human, social, economy and livelihood aspects.
c)Briefly describe how the required services will contribute to the work of the unit/project
In order to increase the performance and effectiveness of UNDP's Recovery programme delivery of quality results, two regional offices have been established:
•North-West Office Coordination in Bamenda
•South-West Office in Buea

The Procurement Assistant will support the Procurement Specialist IN all RP procurement activities . The Procurement Assistant will work in close collaboration with both regions staff to exchange information and ensure consistent services delivery. The Procurement Assistant will be based in Yaounde Office. However he/she will also travel to Bamenda (North West) and Buea (South West) as and when necessary


Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Procurement Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Procurement Assistant will:

Provides procurement services for UNDP Office and especially Recovery Programme
• Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and strategies ; implementation of effective internal control.
• Provide inputs to Country Office (CO) Procurement business processes, mapping and drafting of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in procurement ;
• Support the preparation of procurement plans and their implementation/monitoring;
• Organize procurement processes including preparation and conduct of Requests for Quotations, Invitations to Bid or Request for Proposals, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, and negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with the rules and regulations;
• Prepare purchase orders and contracts in Quantum;
• Prepare of submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP) and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP);
• Implement 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 and present reports on procurement;
• Source potential new suppliers; keeps abreast of significant market trends and developments in purchasing and related fields. Identification and recommendation of sources of procurement ;
• Analyse and evaluates procurement requests submitted by different units and consults with unit managers to ensure that specifications/terms of reference, costs and delivery schedules/due dates are adequate and appropriate;
• Follow-up with suppliers the timely delivery of items;
• Follow-up with the units on invoices and goods/services receipts, ensuring timely and accurate receipts and payment;
• Update suppliers’ roster;
• Participate in and review procurement networks as well as participate in procurement workshops and training;
• Incorporate new strategies into local guidance and ensure CO staffs receive information and training;
• Contribute to ensuring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within the functional area are continuously updated and available through the unit’s SharePoint site, best practices are continuously identified, documented, and made available to clients and peers, and appropriate and up-to-date information for learning tools are available;
• Perform backup functions for other team members in the Unit as and when required,
• Contribute to contracts management
Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in CO
• Participate in the trainings on procurement procedures;
• Keep abreast of updates/changes in the procurement guidelines;
• Synthesize lessons learnt and best practices in procurement;
• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
•
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.


Eligibility criteria
Age
18 - 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in - in procurement, logistics, and/or administration is required at the national and/or international level;
- Procurement and/or supply chain experience in an international non-governmental organization or international commercial company is highly desirable;
- Public procurement experience is desirable;
- Acknowledgement of UN procurement procedures is an advantage;
- Certification in Public Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management (CIPS or SCM) is an advantage, e.g. Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) certification ;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of automated procurement systems, experience in handling web-based management systems

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete)
• Sound security awareness;

Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Logistics and Inventory

Driving license
-

Languages
English, Level: Working knowledge, Required
French, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Procurement, logistics, and/or administration

Competencies and values
 Achieve Results
• Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
 Think Innovatively
• Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
 Learn Continuously
• Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
 Adapt with Agility
• Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
 Act with Determination
• Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
 Engage and Partner
• Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationship
 Enable Diversity and Inclusion
• Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
a. Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

 Procure-to-Pay
• Knowledge of purchase-to-pay cycles, concepts, principles and policies, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
 Supplier/relationship management
• Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
 Contract management
• Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
 Data management
• Knowledge of processing, storing, and validating procurement data
 Procurement management
• The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source
 Sourcing
• Ability to find, evaluate and engage suppliers of goods and services
 Data literacy
• Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation
• Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at : https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1767650917639424