Supply & Procurement Officer

UNICEF China and its government partners work to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children. Every child has the right to survive, develop, be protected and participate in family and society. UNICEF collaborates with many partners to help make those rights a reality in China. We work by developing demonstration models and approaches in rural poor and urban marginalized communities. Once an approach has been shown to be effective, we support the government to replicate and expand the approach with its own budget.
UNICEF also plays an important role in advancing research and assembling scientific evidence about children in collaboration with Chinese universities, research centres and policy-making institutions. We support the government to use this data, along with the findings from our pilot programmes, to develop evidence-based policies and laws.
In the recent past, many important achievements for children in China have been based on innovative models and pioneering research supported by UNICEF. For more than forty years, our programme of cooperation with the Government of China has helped to improve the lives of children and women in all provinces.
UNICEF also partners with the private sector by providing ideas and opportunities for improving the lives of children in China. Children's rights and welfare are integral to a corporation's social responsibility to the communities in which it works. We are helping the private sector to develop child's rights business principles, engage on protecting child rights, and mobilize to make children's lives better.
As a global child rights organization, UNICEF also helps to give a voice to and advocate for children, so that their rights are given the highest priority by all sectors of society. As China's development moves ahead rapidly we are increasingly focused on engaging all citizens in China in the mission of promoting and protecting children's rights.
At UNICEF, we commit to the highest levels of integrity, transparency and accountability in our procurement activities, and we work with suppliers that comply with the highest ethical standards of conduct.


Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Supply & Procurement Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Supply & Procurement Officer will drive the team’s transaction work on procurement activities, which covers:

- Assisting in conducting local procurement activities for Low Value Purchase Order (LVPO) and informal bids
- Assisting team members on physical samples evaluation on Goods procurement
- Assisting team members on sourcing efforts on solicitation of Services contracting
- Supporting in coordination with partners for meetings and follow-ups
- Supporting in coordination with colleagues and partners to arrange missions and visits
- Supporting in collecting information and materials and drafting documents
- Supporting in maintaining supplier database
- Be responsible for vendor registration and settling payments
- Be responsible for file management
- Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing to assisting team members on organizing trainings on procurement related matters
- Backing up team members on administrative works at ad hoc basis
- Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.


Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to Supply function in the accomplishment of all assigned tasks.



• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.


the national and/or international level in supply chain management, business administration, or management, or other relevant programmes; experiences working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.

• Excellent computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and digitalization at workforce; excellent with database management.
• Competent oral and written skills; solid drafting, formulation and reporting skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Sound security awareness; comply with Code of Conduct on PSEA.
• Have affinity with or interest in Procurement, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, for the UN System.


Living Conditions:

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

The duty station of the national UN Volunteer is located in Beijing city, where modest public infrastructure and health services are available. It is the foremost political and cultural metropolis in China. The city has excellent health services available.

In general, rent for apartments in central locations is high relative to other regions in China, but quality is good. Beijing is well served by many shopping malls, large supermarket chains and international brands. Buses and subways are the most common form of mass transportation. Metered taxis are widely available and domestic and regional travel by train and airplane is popular.

The National UN Volunteer receives a standard volunteer living allowance (VLA), which is intended to cover their accommodation and basic living expenses. In China the VLA is 10201.83 RMB per month. The National UN Volunteer is entitled to an excellent health, life and disability insurance package. A modest Settling-in Grant and end of assignment allowance will also be provided, along with travel to and from the duty station. International travel to duty station will not covered by UNV. The National UN Volunteer is entitled to 2.5 days personal leave per month and government official holidays.