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General Information

Position Title
Procurement Associate
Job Category
Procurement
Duty Station(s)
Kinshasa
Seniority Level
Associate
ICS Level
ICS 06
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Support - Regular
Contract Level
LICA 6
Posting Start Date
23-Apr-2026
Posting End Date
07-May-2026
Duration
Ongoing subject to performance, funding, and organizational needs.

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

Since 1999, the Central Africa Multi-Country Office (CAMCO), headquartered in Yaounde, Cameroon, has partnered with UN agencies, international organizations, and governments in 15 Central African nations. CAMCO provides fund management, technical assistance, and capacity-building across critical sectors—infrastructure, health, education, governance, procurement, and environmental protection—while working with national and local authorities to secure local ownership and sustainable impact. The diverse portfolio spans rural-community empowerment, road rehabilitation, and peace consolidation in the DRC and CAR through Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programmes, alongside wide-ranging procurement and human-resource services. Recent initiatives include drinking-water systems in Cameroon, mining-sector capacity-building, health-system support in the DRC, and infrastructure development in Madagascar, funded by a broad array of international partners. Together, these projects advance regional stability, resilient infrastructure, and improved livelihoods throughout Central Africa.

About the Project Office

Since 1999, UNOPS has been a committed partner in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), delivering fund management, technical support, capacity building, and project management services. In collaboration with the Government, UN agencies, and international partners, UNOPS advances sustainable development across key sectors, including infrastructure, health, education, governance, procurement, and environmental protection. A strong focus on local ownership ensures that projects are implemented in a way that builds national capacity and empowers communities. UNOPS supports peace and security through technical assistance to MONUSCO and contributes to environmental preservation by managing regional initiatives such as CAFI and FONAREDD, working closely with Indigenous communities. In the health sector, efforts include the construction of health centers in Kwango (KOICA) and national health system support through the RSS3 initiative (GAVI). UNOPS also leads agricultural infrastructure development and food security efforts through the PNDA project (World Bank) and supports governance and stabilization through the multi-donor Coherence Fund, alongside humanitarian HR services for UNHCR.

Role Purpose

The Procurement Associate provides efficient and timely support services in procurement and contract administration to the different programmes managed by their office. S/he 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 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 regional sub-group of the Contracts and Property Committee (CPC) or other designated statutory body.  body.
  • Work with requesting programme or operations clients to make submissions to the CPC.
  • Organize CPC regional sub-group (or designated statutory body) meetings as may be required, circulating documents for review at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Maintain records of the CPC regional sub-group 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 systems.
  • 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.


Skills

Contract Management, Market Analysis, Procurement, Regulations, Risk Management, eProcurement
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Secondary school (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience OR
  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Procurement, Supply Chain, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or Economics, or related fields with 2 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 advising on and implementing policies and procedures to deliver a range of complex procurement programmes and strategies within international/ multi-national organizations, or related fields.


Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
FrenchFluentRequired
EnglishBasicDesirable

Additional 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.