Procurement Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), Division for Operations (DO) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Dakar, Senegal. As Head of the West and Central Africa Procurement Hub, the Procurement Officer works under the direct supervision of the Chief (Procurement), UNOV/UNODC Procurement Unit in Vienna, and the overall supervision of the ROSEN Representative. The incumbent also supports and provides technical oversight for procurement functions at the UNODC Country Office in Nigeria (CONGA). The incumbent will execute his/her functions as part of the ROSEN Operations Team and work in close coordination with the Operations Officer. For more information on UNODC, please visit the website www.unodc.org.

• The incumbent is expected, upon request, to support other UNODC offices and Global Programmes in the West and Central Africa region where UNODC operates. Within assigned authority the Procurement Officer will provide the following specific duties: Serve as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for the procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with technically and legally complex contracts and procurement activities
• lead and support the procurement work of Regional Offices. Plan, develop and manage all procurement and contractual aspects of projects of significant complexity related to diverse services and commodities (e.g., information technology, specialized electronic equipment and instruments, medicines, safety and security equipment including PPE, foodstuffs, building maintenance materials, refurbishment work, office supplies, furniture, etc.), taking into account local economic and other conditions. Plan, develop and manage procurement activities related to infrastructure and major construction projects, including those of significant value, in consultation and supported by UNOV/UNODC Procurement Unit, in close cooperation with UNODC architects, engineers, national authorities to ensure that all local, state, and national building codes and regulations and safety precautions are followed. Lead the preparation and implementation of procurement according to the United Nations Secretariat Financial Regulations and Rules
• when applicable, oversee procurement processed by other UN entities - including through the Common Back Office (CBO) arrangement following the upcoming relocation to the UN House in Dakar - ensuring conformity with their respective rules, regulations, and the UN system principle of Mutual Recognition. Coordinate procurement functions between ROSEN and CONGA (UNODC Country Office in Nigeria) under the West and Central Africa Procurement Hub arrangement, including harmonizing delegation of authority thresholds, ensuring equitable workload distribution among buyers across both offices, and formalizing arrangements for ad-hoc mutual support with the UNOV/UNODC Procurement Unit. Provide technical advice and quality assurance on procurement activities to officials, buyers, and focal points during all phases of the procurement cycle
• analyze and evaluate procurement requests and ensure appropriateness of technical specifications. Develop and prepare complex contracts for procurement of non-routine and technologically advanced commodities or long-range services
• establish long-term agreements
• issue international tender invitations
• evaluate responses to tenders
• make recommendations for finalization of purchases and award of contracts
• sign procurement orders up to the authorized limit and prepare submissions to the Contracts Committee for higher-value approvals. Formulate strategies and design innovative solutions to resolve issues or conflicts in complex procurement projects, particularly construction, liaising closely with national authorities to ensure compliance with local laws. Establish and maintain work programmes and schedules for ongoin