ROSTER - Offsite Operations Consultancy Service Provider

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About UNU Institute in Macau (UNU Macau)

UNU Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU Macau is a research institute at the intersections of digital technology and sustainable development. The Institute conducts policy-relevant research and generates solutions, addressing pressing challenges expressed in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through high-impact innovations and the latest technologies. Through its research, the UNU Institute in Macau encourages data-driven and evidence-based actions and policies to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

One of the Institute’s missions is to nurture the next generation of interdisciplinary computing, information and social scientists, and engineers to be leaders in the field of ICT for development. To this end, the institute seeks to build a team of experts to help deliver the institute’s mission and work plan. The Institute’s research tends to be more applied, and strives for policy impact in the UN system, at international, regional and national levels.

The UNU Institute in Macau is situated in the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, and it is the only UN entity in the city. Macau is one of the most dynamic regions in Asia, where technological innovations have become an integral part in driving social and economic change. Macau is part of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), that hosts many private sector companies and technological giants that are just a short distance away. Its proximity to China, Hong Kong SAR and other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, provides an exciting opportunity for researchers and experts to maximize the impact of their work.

Roster for Operations Consultancy Service Provider

The offsite Operations Consultancy services provider is expected to support the Institute’s functions in relations to the operations spectrum, which includes but not limit to procurement, finance and budgeting. The responsibilities include the following:

1) Provide consultation services

• To be available through virtual connections to provide advice on the subject matters of operational functions of the Institute. E.g. the conduction of competitive procurement procedures in compliance with UN and/or other established standards.
• Provide professional instructions of procedures and requirements.

2) Review official documents

• Guide Institute personnel in the preparation of documentation of any operations procedures. E.g. support the writing of procurement ToR.
• Review, and edit if necessary, documents prepared by Institute personnel before submission.

3) Advise and monitor the conduction of operational procedures

• Guide the Institute personnel in conducting official operations procedures, E.g. the evaluations of bidders, case reports writing, drafting agreements such as but not limited to LTAs in compliance of UN and/or other established standards required.
• Review and monitor the process; advise and rectify if needed.

4) Other Tasks

• If necessary, provide ad-hoc training to Institute personnel on standard operating procedures with compliance of UN and/or other established standards required.

Key performance indicators

• Timeliness and quality of the service providers’ consultation services
• Professional knowledge, correctness, accuracy of advice
• Availability to support the Institute personnel

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Education and certification

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain management, or a related field in operations.

Experience

Required:

• At least 10 years full-time relevant office working experience in operations fields at national or international level.
• Previous UN working experience in relevant fields is a strong asset.
• Excellent knowledge of procurement and finance in particular. Experience in accounting and finance roles at the national or international level required.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Subject knowledge of CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) is required for procurement functions.
• Subject knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS required for finance functions.
• Excellent team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Ability to multi-task work with minimal supervision, and often times none relying on own judgement and subject matter expertise/experience, with a high level of resilience. A keen eye for detail and problem-solving.
  

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English language
• Knowledge of Chinese language is an asset.
  

Selection process:
Candidates will be evaluated according to the following:

Stage 1: Establishing a Roster:
• All applicants will be screened against the minimum requirements specified above for inclusion on a long list.
• Long-listed applicants will be evaluated through a desk review and/or interview against the following criteria based on evidence in the submitted application:

• Academic qualifications
• Relevant professional experience
• Demonstrated competencies

Successful candidates will be included in the UNU-Macau Experts Roster for a period of 2 years.

Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee a contract with UNU Macau.

Stage 2: Contracting:
When a request for services arises, the Institute shall contact relevant individual(s) with the Terms of Reference, work requirement and dates of the assignment seeking confirmation of availability.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and based on the work capacity and schedule of delivery. This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.

Duration of contract

General conditions of contracts for the service of consultants apply. Consultants will not hold international civil servant status nor be a 'staff member' as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four months of accrued service within a period of thirty-six month calendar months.

Starting date

Immediate

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• Upload a completed and signed the UNU P11 form; kindly do not use similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations and
  do not submit your curriculum vitae;
• Must provide a motivational statement (in the P11 refer to number 23); setting out how your qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position instead of a cover letter;
• Answer a few questions that are tailored to the position;
• Only upload documents as requested.
• Applications that do not include all the requested information will not be considered.

• You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

16 July 2024 (11:59pm, Macau time zone GMT +8)

** Application page no longer operational beyond application deadline.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.

Special Notice

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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