Procurement Officer

**Background**:
The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence
- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is responsible for managing the material and financial resources of the Organization. The objective of DMF is to provide efficient and effective management of non-staff resources in support of OSCE programmatic activities. It provides policy guidance on the management of OSCE financial and material resources and develops and maintains OSCE Financial Regulations and Rules and Financial Administrative Instructions. DMF consists of Budget and Finance Services, Mission Support Section, Information and Communication Technology Section and the Information Security and Co-ordination Unit.

Mission Support Section (MSS) provides the working framework for OSCE's procurement and contracting assets, logistics, transport, travel and facilities management activities. It also acts as the policy development and co-ordination point for resource administration in the OSCE's Executive Structures in relation to these activities, including providing on-site assistance and technical training programmes.

**Tasks and Responsibilities**:
Under the overall supervision of the Chief, Procurement and Contracting Unit, as Procurement Officer, you will be responsible for managing the procurement operations for the OSCE Secretariat and for OSCE Field Operations. Specifically, you will cover the following areas:
Planning, developing and managing all aspects of procurement, as well as procurement projects of significant complexity, related to worldwide procurement of diverse services and commodities;
Reviewing procurement requests to ensure specifications and Terms of Reference (TORs) are generic, complete and comprehensive and liaising with program managers for clarification, and provide feedback;
Ensuring tender evaluation criteria are adequate, in terms of pre-established evaluation criteria, technical requirements, compliance and the principle of best value for money;
Preparing and distributing invitations to tender and managing all aspects of the bid evaluations;
Formulating strategies and design innovative solutions to resolve issues/conflicts for complex procurement projects;
Signing procurement orders up to the authorized limit and prepare submissions to the Materials Management Committees for review;
Assisting business units with establishment of the annual procurement plans and calculating realistic lead times;
Conducting market research to keep abreast of market developments and new technologies and analysing statistical data and market reports, production patterns and availability of goods and services, price benchmarking;
Preparing procurement related documents, communications, guidelines, reports and presentations for internal training purposes;
Providing guidance and supervisions to junior staff;
Performing other related duties as required.

**Necessary Qualifications**:
First-level university degree in business administration, commerce or related field;
CIPS level 3 or equivalent public procurement or supply chain qualification is a distinct asset;
A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in procurement operations;
Experience and familiarity with the procurement policies and procedures of other international organizations is an asset;
Professional fluency in English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages, especially Russian, would be an asset;
Good communication and negotiation skills;
Customer service oriented;
Ability to analyse marketing and product data as well as other statistical data;
Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

**Remuneration Package**:
Monthly remuneration is around EUR 6,800, with the actual monthly salary depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria. Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common S