Posting Title:      INTERN - PROCUREMENT, I (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title:  INTERN - PROCUREMENT

Department/Office:       Economic Commission for Africa

Duty Station:      ADDIS ABABA

Posting Period: 19 November 2019 - 03 December 2019

Job Opening Number:   19-Procurement-ECA-126545-J-Addis Ababa (R)

Staffing Exercise               N/AUnited Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions, ECA's mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. Made up of 54 member States and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent's development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely, its function as a think tank, its convening function and its operational function.

This position is located at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, in the Procurement Unit, Supply Chain Management Section, Division of Administration.

The internship is for six months.
The Internship is non PAID and full-time.
Interns work five days per week (35-40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Procurement Officer, the intern may be responsible for the following duties:

1.Assist to reviews purchasing requests and obtains additional information/documentation as required; provides assistance to requisitioners in preparing scope of work and specifications of goods and services; proposes product substitutions consistent with requirements to achieve cost savings.
2.Assist to identify and recommend sources of procurement.
3.Assist to conduct Market research
4.Assist to croduces tender documents (e.g. Requests for Quotation) based on the nature of the requirements and cost of procurement involved.
5.Assist to prepares abstracts of offers and compile data contained in quotations, proposals and bids to determine which supplier can deliver the required goods/services at the best terms and lowest costs possible with due consideration to quality, delivery time, prompt payment and other discounts, transportation costs, etc.
6.Assist to prepare negotiation strategy under the guidance of Procurement Officers;
7.Assist to create a Vendors’ Database for ECA.
8.Assist to collaborate with Requisitioners to establish KPIs and performance Evaluation Documents for existing and upcoming contracts.
9.Assist to maintains relevant internal databases and files; keeps track of any contractual agreements, direct provisioning contracts, etc. and draft communications to inform affected users of contractual rights and obligations.
10.Assist to researches, retrieves and presents information from a variety of internal and external sources on sources of supply, vendors by commodity, etc., as well as obtain specifications for new products and equipment on the market. Assist to drafts a variety of correspondence, (e.g. formal memos, Note to File, formal letters, etc.).
11.Assist to performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Communication:
-Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
-Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
-Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
-Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
-Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Planning& Organizing:
-Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
-Identifies priority activities and assignments;
-Adjusts priorities as required;
-Allocates the 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.

Client Orientation:
-Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
-Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
-Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
-Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
-Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
-Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

Education

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

Be computer literate in standard software applications.

Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter;

Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Relevant studies in Supply Chain Management is preferred, additional studies in Contract Law is an advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice

Your application for this internship must include:
A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note explaining why you would be the best candidate for this internship, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:
Title of the degree you are currently pursuing/obtained
Graduation Date, if applicable Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme Proof of enrolment from current University (if not graduated).
A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).

United Nations Considerations

According 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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.