ACQUISITION PLANNING ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and ReportingThe two positions are located in Bangui, the Acquisition Management Section (AMS) within Supply Chain Management Pillar of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Acquisition Planning Assistants will report to an Acquisition Planning Officer. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority the Acquisition Planning Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Assists in the preparation of the annual (draft) acquisition plan prior to the budget formulation as part of the mission logistics planning process based on mission priorities; Liaises with UN Global Service Centre (UNGSC) in Brindisi regarding the submission of the mission's annual (both draft and final) acquisition plan. • Liaises on all logistics needs in each mission location and assists in monitoring and tracking all aspects of the Mission's supply chain to ensure that a continuous supply of goods and services are available to meet operational requirements. • Assists in forecasting the logistics requirements in the near and medium terms based on changing priorities and emergencies as related to the assigned categories, provides advance information of such requirements to the concerned stakeholders. • Monitors mission requisitions of the assigned categories to ensure purchase requests are based on forecasted acquisition plan. • Liaises with counterparts in other Missions and/or UNGSC on items availability prior to making decision to acquire new items either for replacement or additional requirement. • Oversees the extraction of spent data and generation of expenditure reports from computerized information system databases, including Umoja; Performs preliminary analysis of the extracted data and the reports generated, through review of stock holdings, consumption patterns, procurement cycle times, requirements and forecasts of internal and external customers, and highlights areas of concern for the attention of the Acquisition Planning Officer in order to ensure timely decision-making and minimize potential supply chain gaps. • Supervises the process for the preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures, providing valid justifications for under/overspending. • Reviews acquisitions actions and monitors status of acquisition processes for all commodities and services of assigned categories including a full range of procurement and other supply chain matters and identifies ways to overcome obstacles when delivering goods. This includes liaising with mission technical units on the planning and coordination of transportation requirements, service contract requirements and maintenance plans of assigned services, consolidation of inbound deliveries, ensuring that adequate lead times and sourcing options are taken into account in all requisitions. • Liaises with relevant sections with respect to the status of implementation of the acquisition plan and assists in the preparation of quarterly progress reports providing updates regarding the implementation of the mission's acquisition plan and timely submission thereof to UNGSC. • Implements the mission policies and procedures, Standard Operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines and instructions governing the acquisition planning and requisitioning process. • Supervises and provides work direction and guidance to junior acquisition planning assistants and national GS staff; manages and coordinates the activities in his/her area of responsibility. • Performs other duties as required CompetenciesProfessionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. EducationHigh School or equivalent diploma is required. Job - Specific QualificationTechnical or vocational certificate in at least one of the following areas is required: logistics, supply chain management, business administration and procurement. Work ExperienceA minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain, inventory management, logistics, procurement, administration or related area, including at least two years at the intemational level, is required. Experience in providing logistics and supply chain support services in a conflict or post conflict environment is desirable. Experience working with Umoja (UN ERP- Enterprise resource planning) or other similar ERPs in the areas of scheduling, inventory control, procurement and logistics processes is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of the French is desirable. AssessmentPreviously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment. Special NoticeThis \"Recruit from Roster\" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.