Procurement Associate (Open to Tier 0,1 & 2 applicants)

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Operations

Cuba

Posted on Jul 14, 2026
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Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background and Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cuba works closely with the Government and other national stakeholders to support the country’s national development priorities in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has approved the new Country Programme Document for Cuba, which will guide the agency’s cooperation with the country from 2026 to 2030.

The areas of focus include economic recovery and productive transformation, environmental management and disaster risk reduction, social protection programs and services, and the strengthening of institutions and modernization of public administration.

Strategic themes addressed by this roadmap include development financing, including environmental aspects; efforts to achieve robust statistics, with an emphasis on integrated vulnerability measurement; capacity building for macroeconomic management; and digital transformation with equity, with particular attention to implementation of services for the population.

The Programme promotes developing capacities for decentralization, ICT usage to digital transformation, low-carbon models in sectors and communities, targeted support for vulnerabilities, as well as a broad health and development approach.

Other topics reflected include nature-positive and low-carbon development, adoption of circularity principles, a just energy transition, risk management, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, preparedness and response, food security, social protection, equity and non-discrimination, and care services.

UNDP is striving to ensure its procurement function and practices are an integral part of UNDP’s competitive advantage as a development partner of choice. This requires placing more attention on strategically integrating procurement at the project design stage, stimulating innovation in specifications and technologies, and adopting more sustainable production and consumption practices that align with UNDPs sustainable development goals. Sustainable procurement means making sure products, services, and purchases are as sustainable as possible with the lowest environmental impact and most positive social results. In implementing UNDP strategic procurement priorities, Country offices will strive to use flexible methods for high-value/low-risk and timely delivery that meet the needs of its clients and key stakeholders.

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the DRR, Operations Manager, or Procurement Specialist, the Procurement Associate provides leadership in execution of procurement services in CO ensuring their effectiveness, transparency, and integrity. The Procurement Associate supervises and leads the support staff of the CO Procurement Unit. S/he promotes a client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach in the Unit.

The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with Operations, Programme and project teams in the Country Office, Region and UNDP HQ as well as with vendors and Government officials to deliver information, provide advisory support, and resolve complex procurement-related issues.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

1.) Administer and support implementation of innovative and sustainable procurement strategies and policies that are in alignment with principles of fairness, integrity and transparency to achieve best value for money.
Example of Duties:
  • Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and strategic priorities through implementation of effective internal controls and proper functioning of UNDP’s client–oriented procurement management system.
  • Elaborate/establish internal procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), map CO procurement business processes, and assist in managing workflows in Procurement Unit in coordination with supervisor.
  • Conducts research to provide input to the formulation and implementation of the CO contract strategy that includes tendering processes and evaluation, managing the contract and contractor, legal considerations and payment conditions; and strategic procurement that includes sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, and cost reduction strategies.

2.) Organize procurement processes for CO, projects, and collaborate with other UN Agencies.
Example of Duties:
  • Consolidate procurement plans for the office and projects, and monitor their implementation for the country office and projects.
  • Organize procurement processes that include preparation and conduct of RFQ, ITB or RFP, and the receipt and evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations.
  • Conduct preliminary review of submissions to internal procurement review committees (CAP, RACP and ACP).
  • Prepare Purchase Orders and contracts in and outside e-procurement systems, prepare purchase orders for contracting services, and create vendors and buyer profiles in e-procurement. Implement internal control system that ensures purchase orders are duly prepared, dispatched, and corrected on a timely basis when there are budget check errors or other problems.
  • Implement harmonized procurement services and analyze new opportunities for joint procurement for the UN agencies in line with the UN reform.
3.) Implement a sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools to find best values in marketplace and align purchasing strategy to project and CO goals.
Example of Duties:
  • Develop and update rosters of suppliers.
  • Implement supplier selection and evaluation.

4.) Facilitate procurement knowledge building and knowledge sharing in CO, Region and UNDP.
Example of Duties:
  • Organize procurement training for operations and project staff.
  • Organize procurement training for vendors on e-procurement modules.
  • Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in procurement.
  • Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises support staff in Procurement Unit

Requirements:

Education

  • Secondary education is required
  • A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or equivalent will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
  • CIPS level 3 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

  • Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative experience is required at the national and international level. At least 3 years in managing public sector procurement of goods and services would be an advantage.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge web-based management systems such as ERP.

Desirable criteria:

  • Work experience in an international organization and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures.
  • Experience in complex procurement processes and contract management.
  • Experience supervising staff or coordinating operational procurement teams.
  • Ability to work effectively in collaborative and multidisciplinary teams.

Language requirements

  • Fluency in the UN language of the duty station is required.
  • Fluency in the national language of the duty station is required for local staff.
  • Knowledge of English language is desirable.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core : Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here

Achieve Results

 LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively

 LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously

 LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner

 LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

 LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area Name Definition
Procurement Sourcing
  • Ability to find, evaluate and engage suppliers of goods and services
Procurement Financial Analysis
  • Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance related transactions to determine their performance and suitability
Procurement Procurement Management
  • The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.
Procurement Stakeholder Management
  • Ability to work with incomplete information and balance competing interests to create value for all stakeholders
Business Management

Customer

Satisfaction/Client

Management
  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers' needs.
  • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy
  • Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests
  • Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns
Business Management Risk Management
  • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management Communication
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP 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 UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

#LI-DNI
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the DRR, Operations Manager, or Procurement Specialist, the Procurement Associate provides leadership in execution of procurement services in CO ensuring their effectiveness, transparency, and integrity. The Procurement Associate supervises and leads the support staff of the CO Procurement Unit. S/he promotes a client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach in the Unit.
Apply now
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