Procurement Senior Associate

Job Detail

Location:

Muqdisho
Company:

UNOPS
Type:

Full Time
Category:

Management/leadership
Positions:
Experience:

3 Year
Gender:

No Preference
Degree:

Bachelors
Apply Before:

Mar 26, 2026
Posting Date:

Mar 18, 2026

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Job Description

Job Highlight

Drive smooth Procurement operations by delivering reliable support, guidance, and services related to contracts, processes, and stakeholder collaboration.About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The UNOPS Somalia Country Office supports the Government of Somalia and its partners in achieving sustainable development goals through effective project management, infrastructure development, and procurement services. The office focuses on delivering high-quality solutions that contribute to peacebuilding, state-building, and socio-economic development in Somalia.

About the Project Office

Since 1995, UNOPS Somalia (SOCO), headquartered in Mogadishu and part of the East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO), has been a trusted partner to the Government of Somalia and international donors. Through the provision of project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial services, SOCO plays a critical role in supporting national priorities in health, rule of law, security, transport, and resilience. The office has delivered impactful infrastructure projects—including the Immigration Headquarters ($6.8M), Maritime Police Headquarters ($3.7M), and regional hospitals ($20M)—and leads key national initiatives such as the Joint Police Programme ($56.4M). UNOPS also manages large-scale procurement, including over $75M in non-lethal support to security actors. Advisory support to urban resilience and crisis recovery efforts further strengthens institutional capacity, with projects valued at $8.1M, $8.8M, and $7.4M. SOCO’s integrated approach contributes to sustainable peacebuilding and development outcomes across Somalia.

Job Specific Context

Under the direct supervision of the Procurement Manager and under the guidance from the Head of Support Services, the Procurement Senior Associate ensures the provision of efficient and timely support services in procurement and contract administration to the different programmers in the Somalia Country Office. He/she promotes a client-focused, quality and results- oriented approach and provides support to the relevant procurement personnel. In the discharge of her/his duties, the Procurement Senior Associate works with minimal supervision and liaises with UNOPS Project Support Officers, Chief Technical Advisors, Senior Project Managers, Project Managers and Project Support Associates/Assistants in order to ensure best support.

Role Purpose

The Procurement Senior Associate provides efficient and timely support services in procurement and contract administration to the different programmes managed by their office. The role promotes a quality-driven, client-focused and results-oriented approach to ensure compliance with UNOPS procurement rules, regulations, policies and strategies, while working and liaising with other procurement personnel and various other stakeholders, including programme support officers, chief technical advisors, portfolio managers, and portfolio assistants. In the discharge of their duties, the Senior Associate, Procurement works with minimal supervision.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Procurement Transactions Support

Execute approved steps to embed sustainability in the procurement process.
Ensure complete submissions to the Contract and Property Committees (CPCs).
Ensure completeness of documentation for preparation/ processing of Purchase Orders (POs), Contracts, Long Term Agreements (LTAs), or their amendments.
Conduct routine market research to determine supply sources using the UN Global Market Place and other relevant external sources.
Set up, enhance or maintain the local supplier database, ensuring regular update of information databases and procurement files and records.
Generate status reports, as and when required.
Ensure the availability of all supporting documents for audit and review purposes.

Procurement Planning, Requisition and Sourcing

Collaborate with project personnel and managers in preparing their procurement plans and awards.
Maintain and update procurement monitoring processes for projects and provide feedback on POs to the requesting office.
Provide proposals to requesting entities on modes for the provision of goods, works and services, including procurement deadlines for every stage.
Review requisitions for completeness.
Prepare proper and complete specifications for equipment and materials, job profiles and statements of work (SoWs) as inputs to Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Quote (RFQs) and Invitations to Bid (ITBs), ensuring clearance/ approval by the relevant approving units.
Liaise regularly with vendors and consignees until safe delivery of goods is achieved.
Monitor progress and liaise with vendors throughout the procurement cycle.
Investigate and resolve post-order problems and share progress reports on procurement matters.
Provide oral or written responses to queries from projects, clients, companies, etc, regarding procurement-related matters.
Prepare monthly reports on procurement matters.
Liaise with the logistics unit or projects on receipt of goods, equipment and services in view of obtaining proper delivery reports, Receipt and Inspection Reports (RIRs), or relevant certificates while ensuring that proper inventory is taken.

Bidding and Tendering Support

Prepare shortlists of suitable contractors/ suppliers for purchases of value over designated amounts for approval by designated officer(s).
Prepare and issue Expressions of Interest (EOIs), RFQs, ITBs, RFPs, or other tender documents as required, ensuring conformity with UNOPS’ approved templates and seeking legal clearance in case of required adjustments.
Work with requesting programme or operations clients to review and evaluate bids or proposals received and prepare analyses for less complex contract awards for submission to the Local Contracts and Property Committee (LCPC) or other statutory designated body.
Work with requesting programme or operations clients to make submissions to the HQ Contracts and Property Committee (HQCPC).
Organize LCPC (or designated statutory body) meetings as may be required, circulating documents for review at least 24 hours in advance.
Maintain records of LCPC or other designated statutory body.

Contract Administration

Follow up on the signing of contracts by vendors.
Obligate funds in the ERP and obtain appropriate signatures for approval.
Disseminate contract advertisements and awards.
Maintain contracts and filing system.
Maintain databases/ rosters of best suppliers, contractors and service providers.

Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

Organize, facilitate or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on procurement.
Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learned and disseminating best practices in procurement.
Collect and productively utilize feedback, ideas and internal knowledge about processes and best practices.

SkillsContract Management, Market Analysis, Procurement, Regulations, Risk Management, eProcurementCompetenciesEducation Requirements

Experiences and Qualifications

Secondary school (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience OR
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 3 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate or membership (e.g. CIPS) is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

Relevant experience is work in procurement or related areas.
Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.

Desired

Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Language RequirementsLanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredSomaliNativeRequiredAdditional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
For more details about the contract types, please click here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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