Re-advertised: Administrative and Procurement Associate, G7, Istanbul, EECARO

Job Description

This is a re-advertisement, candidates who have previously applied, need not to reapply. General Service (GS) staff must be a national or legal residents (with a valid working permit) of the country where the duty station is located.

The Position

The Administrative and Procurement Associate post is located in the UNFPA Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (EECARO) in Istanbul. The incumbent will be part of the operations team and will work under the direct supervision of the Regional International Operations Manager (RIOM). The incumbent takes a client-oriented, results-focused approach to interpreting the rules, procedures and guidelines, and provides support and guidance to the region serving as a regional center of excellence. The incumbent will play a key role in supporting the RIOM in developing and implementing regional and cluster focused operational initiatives to achieve operational efficiency and effectiveness, while playing a pivotal role in providing expert guidance to the RO and CO operations personnel on procurement and administrative policies and procedures.

How You Can Make a Difference

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose

Guided by UNFPA’s strategic direction, the Administrative and Procurement Associate contributes to the effective execution of procurement, administrative, and affiliate personnel services across the EECA Region, with a holistic focus on developing regional capacity and operational excellence. This pivotal role ensures quality, high-level compliance, and timely delivery of UNFPA programmes and projects.

You Would Be Responsible For

• Regional Operational Strategy, Capacity, and Compliance
• Regional Interventions: Assist the RIOM in developing and implementing regional, cluster, and CO nexus operational interventions aimed at achieving cost efficiencies and operational excellence. This includes analyzing operational data to make data-driven decisions , co-developing and proposing models for clustered or shared processes , and acting as the key focal point coordinating these efforts across the region.
• Build Regional Capacity and Compliance: Lead interventions that develop regional capacity, targeting standardization, and ensuring full policy compliance in procurement, administration, and affiliate workforce matters for both the Regional and Country Offices.
• Audit Follow-up in the region: Act as a resource to the region in addressing, leading, and assisting the RIOM in implementing internal and external audit recommendations related to procurement, administration, and affiliate workforce management to ensure high accountability and proper risk management.
• Procurement and Contract Lifecycle Management
• Procurement Strategy and Planning: Assist the RIOM in the strategic management of procurement by acting as the overall coordinator for the Regional Office's procurement processes, from requirement definition to contract closure. This includes leading quarterly procurement planning discussions, developing/reviewing/approving plans, and coordinating collaborative efforts with clusters, COs, other UN agencies, and SCMU.
• Solicitation and Award: Facilitate and coordinate formal and informal solicitation processes (RFQs, ITBs/RFPs, Contracts for Professional Services, LTAs). Provide administrative support at every stage, including bid evaluation and award.
• Contract Drafting and Clearance: Draft contracts, amendments, and award forms using standard templates. Ensure mandatory clearances are secured from SCMU and relevant HQ for solicitations over $100,000. Submit documents to UNDP LCRC