Jobs at United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Unit, the intern will contribute in the following ways;

• Translates into Arabic documents drafted in one of the other official languages of the United Nations (Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish), for training and other purposes and subject to revision.
• Performs other related duties as required, including terminological work, creation of translation memories and participation in other special projects.

Qualifications/special skills

• Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher). Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent).
• Have graduated with Bachelor's degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent. Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Have demonstrated a 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 includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• Preferred areas of studies: Bachelor's or advanced degree in Linguistics or any other related studies.
• Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience.
• However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.
• Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme.
• Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Deadline : Mar 1, 2024

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Responsibilities

• Reviews, records and prioritizes purchasing requests and obtains additional information/documentation as required; provides assistance to requisitioners in preparing the scope of work and specifications of goods and services; proposes product substitutions consistent with requirements to achieve cost savings; determines the availability of funding sources.  
• Identifies and recommends sources of procurement; interview potential suppliers.  
• Produces tender documents (e.g. Invitations to Bids, Requests for Proposals and Requests for Quotation) based on the nature of the requirements and cost of procurement involved.  
• Prepares abstracts of offers and compiles 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.  
• Prepares and submits LCC and HCC presentations.  
• Enters into negotiation of terms and conditions of orders under the guidance of Procurement Officers; obtains credit and other information on proposed suppliers.  
• Finalizes purchase orders and contracts for approval by the Procurement Officer; may authorize purchases in line with delegated signature authority, and, if required, prepares submission to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official.  
• Resolves issues/problems related to delivered goods, including discrepancies between purchase orders and items/quantities shipped or received; prepares and signs Return to Vendor forms for unacceptable and/or damaged goods received.  
• Maintains relevant internal databases and files; keeps track of any contractual agreements, direct provisioning contracts, etc. and informs affected users of contractual rights and obligations.  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.  
• Signs procurement orders up to the authorized limit.  Drafts a variety of correspondence.  
• Supervises, assigns and reviews the work of more junior staff.  
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.  Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.  
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of procurement policies, processes and procedures and of purchasing and accounting techniques. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Knowledge of financial rules and regulations and ability to research and gather information from a variety of standard sources and to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.  
• 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.  
• 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.

Education

• Completion of secondary education/ high school diploma is required.  Additional qualifications in procurement or related field is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

• A certificate in Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS) Level 4 or equivalent professional certification is desirable.    

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible work experience in procurement or related area with at least three (3) years of direct firsthand procurement experience on acquisition of strategic, high-value and varying complexity that support the needs of multiple organizations such as UN Entities is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by two years for candidates who possess a first level University degree.    Demonstrated experience in collaborative procurement of goods/services that serve the common needs of multiple organizations such as UN Entities is required.    Demonstrated experience in participating in procurement working group or similar network which involves multiple organizations such as UN Entities is desirable.    Supervisory experience is desirable.    Experience working with System Application and Products (SAP) systems or another Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is desirable.    One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.