Associate Procurement Officer – HQSMS Focal Point

December 13 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

FamilyUNOPS IICA1

Background
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect and assist refugees forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) is a Service within the Division of External Relations (DER) and is responsible for mobilizing private sector income and engagement across more than 40 markets. Fundraising operations require frequent procurement of specialized services (e.g. digital marketing payment donor management and fundraising agency services) and goods. To ensure compliance value-for-money and speed HQSMS provides policy oversight and quality assurance for procurement actions guided by UNHCR Administrative Instruction on Procurement (UNHCR/AI/2021/05/Rev.2/Corr.2) and the Rules and Procedures of UNHCR Committees on Contracts (UNHCR/AI/2018/5/Rev.2). This role establishes a centralized PSP focal point within HQSMS to streamline PSP procurement reviews and approvals and to institutionalize fundraising-specific procurement knowledge and standards across the network.

and Scope of Assignment
Under the direct supervision of the PSP Operations Officer in Copenhagen and with a functional reporting line to the Procurement Section at HQ SMS the Associate Procurement Officer acts as the global focal point for reviewing PSP procurement cases within HQSMS. The incumbent will manage the end-to-end Procurement Review Authority (PRA) pipeline for PSP cases and serve as the secondary reviewer for all PSP procurement actions (tenders non-formal tenders waivers contract amendmentsand EPF) in close coordination with PSP markets and relevant stakeholders. The objective is to deliver timely compliant and business-enabling reviews by channeling cases through a single PRA hub within HQSMS in line with delegated authorities and applicable AIs.
The incumbent will coordinate closely between the PSP sourcing team in Copenhagen that is responsible for sourcing for the network and the Procurement Section at HQSMS. A direct relationship will exist with constant communication between the incumbent the PSP sourcing team and HQSMS.

3. Key Functions & Responsibilities
Lead the centralized PSP PRA review process for all procurement actions above the USD 40000 threshold ensuring completeness compliance and value-for-money across RFQs ITBs RFPs waivers amendments and EPF cases.
Serve as the designated secondary reviewer on PSP procurement actions providing authoritative advice on solicitation strategies evaluation methods contractual instruments and risk mitigations.
Interpret and apply UNHCR procurement policy (UNHCR/AI/2021/05/Rev.2/Corr.2) and Committees on Contracts rules (UNHCR/AI/2018/5/Rev.2) advising PSP operations on thresholds documentation and routing (e.g. PRA LCC/RCC/HCC) based on delegated authorities.
Quality assure solicitation documents and evaluation reports; ensure robust technical criteria transparent scoring and defensible award recommendations; verify financial analysis and negotiated outcomes.
Provide expert guidance on waiver justifications single-source cases and non-compliant scenarios; propose corrective actions and mitigation plans.
Own a PSP procurement knowledge base within HQSMS; capture lessons learned and precedents
Champion innovation and sustainability in PSP procurement including supplier diversity environmental and ethical standards and data protection requirements.

4. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Quarterly PRA dashboard covering case volumes cycle times (Service Level Agreement adherence) outcomes (approvals re-work) and risk/compliance flags.
Monthly status update on the PSP plan for case reviews and active solicitations including market support provided and bottlenecks removed.
Peer-reviewed quality checks on a representative sample of cases per quarter with documented findings and action plans.
Published and maintained PSP procurement templates guidance notes and FAQs; updated at least bi-annually.

5. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education
Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Supply Chain Procurement Business Administration Public Administration Law or a related field. A first-level degree with additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
Relevant professional certification (e.g. CIPS CPSM) is a strong asset.

b. Work Experience
Minimum 3 years (with Bachelors degree a) or 2 years (with Masters degree) of progressively responsible experience in public-sector procurement and/or supply chain or any other relevant field including international experience.
Demonstrated experience conducting or advising on procurement reviews (PRA/Committee or equivalent) for complex services preferably in fundraising/marketing/digital domains.
Proven track record in competitive solicitations (RFQ/ITB/RFP) waiver/single-source cases contract management and vendor performance management.
Experience working with UN or international organizations; familiarity with UNHCR procurement framework is desirable.
Hands-on experience with ERP/e-procurement platforms and collaboration tools (e.g. SharePoint Excel/Power BI).

c. Key Competencies
Policy mastery and sound judgement: interprets procurement rules to enable business outcomes while safeguarding compliance.
Stakeholder management and communication: clear solution-oriented guidance to non-procurement audiences; persuasive writing for justifications and reports.
Analytical rigor: financial/commercial analysis risk assessment and use of data/visualization for decision support.
Planning and organization: manages a high-volume time-bound PRA pipeline and competing priorities.
Integrity and accountability: upholds UN values confidentiality and impartiality in all review processes.
Teamwork and capacity-building: coaches colleagues shares knowledge and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Language: Fluency in English required; working knowledge of French and/or Spanish an asset.

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The written test might be included in the selection process. Applicants cannot be hired under an international individual contract in the country of their nationality or permanent position doesnt require a functional clearance

Remote

No