Procurement Assistant

Job ID/Title :Procurement Assistant
Brand : UNV
Post Level : National UNV-Volunteer Specialist
Application Deadline :     24-May-12
Duty Station :   Jerusalem
Type of Contract : Post Number :
(for 100 Series Contracts)     National UNV-Volunteer Specialist
Languages Required :Arabic, English,
Starting Date :(date when the selected canditate is expected to start) 01-Jul-12
Duration of Initial Contract : Six months renewable
   

Background:
The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) jointly with World Food Programme are seeking an experienced National United Nations Volunteer Specialist “Procurement Assistant” for a duration of initial six months, renewable based in Jerusalem.
This post is a United Nations Volunteers assignment and based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically, as well as socially. It contributes to creating social cohesion and capital, through helping to build trust and reciprocity among citizens.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development, and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
 The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. WFP is part of the United Nations system and is voluntarily funded. Born in 1962, WFP pursues a vision of the world in which every man, woman and child has access at all times to the food needed for an active and healthy life. To meet the food needs of the most vulnerable and food-insecure non-refugees in urban and rural areas of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, WFP is implementing an Emergency Operation in the Gaza Strip and a Relief and Recovery Operation in the West Bank. Both operations have the secondary objective to use WFP’s purchasing power to support the Palestinian economy, thereby contributing to the Palestinian Authority (PA) State Building plan.
The National UN Volunteer will be assigned to the Programme Support Unit of the WFP Country Office based in East Jerusalem. In his/her daily duties, the National UN Volunteer will interact with all units of the Jerusalem Country office, as well as the Gaza office and Hebron/Nablus sub-offices. He/she may also interact with UN/NGO partners, as well as Government (Palestinian Authority-Like Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics) counterparts.

Description of Responsibilities:
Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of Head of Pipeline and Procurement Unit Jerusalem, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
-Extract and input data from various sources in procurement systems;
-Respond to queries regarding procurement data from staff in the unit and elsewhere in the programme;
-Initiate administrative actions related to procurement information;
-Update and track processing of procurement actions;
-Prepare initial purchase orders and contracts for review by the head of Pipeline and Food procurement unit;
-Maintain relevant internal databases and files; keep track of contractual agreements;
-Verify claims for accuracy and conformance with procurement rules and regulations;
-Draft routine correspondence related to the unit¡¦s work and type a variety of material such as correspondence, reports and papers;
-The incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training to all relevant WFP partners and colleagues;
-Perform other related duties as required.

This assignment is a support service to WFP; it is not a humanitarian assignment involving direct work or interaction with beneficiaries.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are expected to:
-Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
-Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
-Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
-Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
-Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
-Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans;
-Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN Volunteers.

Results/Expected Outputs:
-Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to WFP and specifically to the Pipeline and Procurement Unit;
-A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Competencies :
Competencies and values:
 
-Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
-Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations;
-Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment;
-Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
-Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
-Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
-Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
-Technological Awareness - Fully proficient computer skills, particularly in using relevant technology and its application to archives, library, documentation and record keeping.
-Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Qualifications :
-University degree in relevant area of work is preferable;
-Two years of general clerical experience related to food procurement or related field;
-Minimum 25 years old;
-Good written and spoken command of English required; knowledge of an additional UN official language would be an asset;
-Experience utilizing computers, including word processing, spreadsheets and other WFP standard software packages and systems is a core requirement;
-General knowledge of UN system financial policies, rules, regulations and procedures would be an added advantage;
-Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Living Conditions:
As this is a national UNV assignment, the volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Conditions of Service:
A 6 - month contract, renewable (depending on availability of funding, operational necessity and/or satisfactory performance); monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to US$ 870 (rate may change based on local cost of living, with due notice given); settling-in-grant (only if current residence outside of duty station); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; resettlement allowance upon satisfactory of service and assignment.

Interested and qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply on-line no later than May 24th 2012 to the following address:

UNV Programme
UNDP/PAPP Jerusalem
Ref: UNV Procurement Assistant
Equal Employment Opportunity prohibits discrimination against anyone. It attempts to ensure that all applicants, males-females and all races have a fair opportunity in a hiring process, in competing for promotions, and equal access to training/professional development opportunities.