Procurement Associate (Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants)

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

 

 

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cuba works closely with the Government and other national stakeholders to support the country’s national development priorities in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

The Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has approved the new Country Programme Document for Cuba, which will guide the agency’s cooperation with the country from 2026 to 2030.

The areas of focus include economic recovery and productive transformation, environmental management and disaster risk reduction, social protection programs and services, and the strengthening of institutions and modernization of public administration.

 

Strategic themes addressed by this roadmap include development financing, including environmental aspects; efforts to achieve robust statistics, with an emphasis on integrated vulnerability measurement; capacity building for macroeconomic management; and digital transformation with equity, with particular attention to implementation of services for the population.

 

The Programme promotes developing capacities for decentralization, ICT usage to digital transformation, low-carbon models in sectors and communities, targeted support for vulnerabilities, as well as a broad health and development approach.

 

Other topics reflected include nature-positive and low-carbon development, adoption of circularity principles, a just energy transition, risk management, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, preparedness and response, food security, social protection, equity and non-discrimination, and care services.

 

UNDP is striving to ensure its procurement function and practices are an integral part of UNDP’s competitive advantage as a development partner of choice. This requires placing more attention on strategically integrating procurement at the project design stage, stimulating innovation in specifications and technologies, and adopting more sustainable production and consumption practices that align with UNDPs sustainable development goals.  Sustainable procurement means making sure products, services, and purchases are as sustainable as possible with the lowest environmental impact and most positive social results. In implementing UNDP strategic procurement priorities, Country offices will strive to use flexible methods for high-value/low-risk and timely delivery that meet the needs of its clients and key stakeholders.

 

 

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the DRR, Operations Manager, or Procurement Specialist, the Procurement Associate ensures execution of effective, efficient and transparent procurement services and processes in CO.  The Procurement Associate may supervise and/or lead the support staff of the CO Procurement Unit.  S/he promotes a client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach in the Unit.

 

The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with Operations, Programme and project teams in the Country Office, Region and UNDP HQ and with vendors to exchange information and resolve complex procurement-related issues.

 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. 

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Implement sustainable procurement strategies and policies that are in alignment with principles of fairness, integrity and transparency to achieve best value for money.

2.) Organize procurement processes for CO, projects, and other UN Agencies.

3.)  Implement sourcing strategies to find best values in the marketplace and align purchasing strategy to project and CO goals.

4.) Facilitate procurement knowledge building and knowledge sharing in CO.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise support staff in Procurement Unit.

 

 

Competencies

• ACHIEVE RESULTS - LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• THINK INNOVATEVELY - LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• LEARN CONTINUOUSLY - LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• ADAPT WITH AGILITY - LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• ACT WITH DETERMINATION - LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• ENGAGE AND PARTNER - LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• ENABLE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION - LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
  • CUSTOMER SATISFACTION/CLIENT MANAGEMENT: 
  • RISK MANAGEMENT: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.
  • COMMUNICATION: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Technical Competencies

• OPERATIONS: PROCUREMENT
  • SOURCING: Ability to find, evaluate and engage suppliers of goods and services.
  • FINANCIAL ANALYSIS: Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance related transactions to determine their performance and suitability.
  • PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT: The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.
  • STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT: Ability to work with incomplete information and balance competing interests to create value for all stakeholders.

• Secondary education is required.
• A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or equivalent will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
• CIPS level 2 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage.

• Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative experience is required at the national and international level. Experience in public sector procurement of goods and services would be an advantage.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP.

• Work experience in an international organization and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures.
• Experience in procurement of health products would be an advantage.
• Teamwork.

• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• Knowledge of English language is desirable.