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PROCUREMENT OFFICER

Background:
Please note that the post grade is subject to approval of the 2014 Unified Budget, which could result in the appointment being offered either at the P2 or P3 level.
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR’s assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the general supervision of the OSCE/ODIHR Second Deputy Director/Chief of Fund Administration, the incumbent will lead and supervise a team of eight persons responsible for procurement (local and international), travel, conference, insurance, assets and inventory management. The incumbent manages ODIHR’s processes and tasks in these areas and ensures the best value for money for the Organization and compliance with the OSCE rules and regulations.
The main duties include but are not limited to:
- Planning and developing ODIHR procurement and contracting world-wide for diverse services and commodities required locally and at Election Observation Missions (EOMs); approving purchase orders up to the authorized limit;
- Supervising the work of the Procurement Unit, including allocating work assignments, coaching, training, monitoring, and evaluating staff performance; preparing and monitoring the implementation of the Unit's budget;
- Participating and assisting in the development and implementation of the OSCE’s procurement and asset management policies and procedures;
- Providing guidance, advice and support on procurement, asset and travel management policies and procedures to management and staff as well as advising potential suppliers on procurement procedures and contract management;
- Reviewing procurement requests for completeness and ensuring that goods, services and related procurement and contract specifications are adequate;
- Supervising the preparation and distribution of invitations to tender and monitoring each stage of the tendering process; supervising the identification of potential new suppliers and verifying prices by conducting regular market research; identifying new technologies, products and services and recommending them to management;
- Leading/conducting contract negotiations including negotiating any contract disputes that arise;
- Establishing and maintaining the work programme and schedule for ongoing and newly-planned contracts; maintaining good business relations with ODIHR's main suppliers;
- Reviewing procurement transactions on a regular basis with a view to identifying areas of improvement and to checking compliance with the Common Regulatory Management System (CRMS);
- Liaising and consulting with the corresponding sections in the OSCE Secretariat.
Necessary Qualifications:
- University degree in business administration, management, material management, commerce or commercial law or related field;
- Minimum of six years increasingly responsible professional experience in procurement, logistics, contracting or supply management, with at least three years in a management role (including human and financial resources management);
- A minimum of five years of experience working in an international environment for a commercial, governmental or nongovernmental organization/company;
- Knowledge of, and certification in public procurement procedures, such as certification from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), would be an asset;
- Professional fluency in English with excellent written and oral communication skills; knowledge of another OSCE official language, particularly Russian or Polish, would be an asset;
- Computer literacy with practical experience in ERP systems and other applications relevant to the job area;
- Excellent communication skills, strong analytical and negotiation skills;
- Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, with the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
- Ability to establish and maintain working relations with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds whilst remaining impartial and objective.
Remuneration Package:
Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions as well as monthly changes of the post adjustment multiplier and exchange rate, will vary between EUR 4,958 (single rate) and EUR 5,311 (dependency rate) for P3 grade and between EUR 4,130 (single rate) and EUR 4,404 (dependency rate) for P2 grade. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social security will include participation in the Vanbreda International medical insurance scheme and OSCE Provident
Fund maintained by the OSCE. The Organization contributes an amount equivalent to 15 per cent of the employee's salary to this Fund and the employee contributes 7.5 per cent. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.
Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. At the discretion of the appointing authority a higher step may be approved up to a maximum of step 3 subject to specific conditions.
How to apply:
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under
http://www.osce.org/employment.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/who/83.
The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.