$1975 USD per participant

This course is designed for procurement officers or those in functions that include close interaction with procurement, such as programme and project staff seeking advanced training in UN and public procurement planning, contract management and negotiations. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Level 3 builds on the capabilities developed in the level 2 course. A UNDP/CIPS Level 2 Certificate is therefore a prerequisite for registration at level 3. Therefore, please only register for the course if you have successfully passed UNDP/CIPS level 2 certification. No registrations will be accepted from students without necessary prior level 2 certification.

By the end of the programme participants will be able to:

• Analyse procurement strategies providing best fit to specific procurement requirements
• Apply systematic risk assessment and management processes to procurement activities
• Development and review of specifications for advanced procurement purposes
• Conduct and document supplier research and market analysis and associated activities to facilitate the purchasing process
• Understand and apply issues related to supplier development, supply alliances and supply chain management
• Understanding bid evaluation methods
• Conduct efficient cost and financial risk analysis
• Execute effective contract development and management processes
• Communicate effectively in various situations
• How to apply the principles of conflict management
• Communicate, council, and negotiate effectively with clients and suppliers
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of the principles of professional personal development

• The course is designed to be highly interactive.
• Participants will be working on challenging hands-on practical exercises and case studies with peers from other organizations and share best practices in public procurement.
• The course will also provide participants with the opportunity to discuss the different procurement rules and regulations of the various UN and public organisations.
• To be awarded the UNDP/CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Public Procurement students must successfully pass three tests:
• Test I. The Multiple Choise Questionnaire (MCQ) conducted during the training course, where students must answer 100 multiple choice questions of which 80% have to be answered correctly in 2 hours. The MCQ will test the student’s knowledge and understanding of the course syllabus
• Test II. In-class Workbook (ICW). Compolsory in class invididual exercise workbook to be completed during the course. Pass/fail, marked by course tutor(s) during the course.
• Test III. The Work-Based Assignment (WBA) where students are given 8 weeks to complete a 3000 words written essay/project to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the syllabus and how this can be applied to a practical work-related case.
• Students successfully completing the in-class MCQ and the WBA project will be awareded the dual UNDP/CIPS Level 3 “Advanced Certificate in Public Procurement".
• For students requiring additional submissions of the work-based assessment (failed first and/or second attempt) the fee for resubmission is USD 250 per submission.

Alfonso Buxens arrival contributes to the strengthening of the procurement function in the region, with a focus on supporting UNDP field offices in procurement policy interpretation, capacity building and “hands-on” support in the management of complex procurement cases involving high expenditure/ high risk.

Alfonso relocates to Panama City after serving with UNDP in Copenhagen since 2009. During this time, Alfonso worked first as Lead for the Procurement Support Unit (PSU/BMS) Crisis Prevention and Recovery Team. Since 2014, through a matrixed arrangement between PSU/BMS and BPPS/GF-HIST, he has developed and managed UNDP’s global pharmaceutical sourcing and contract management portfolio which presently amounts to a U$ 200+ Millions annual spend, mainly in support of Global Fund grants and Government Cost Sharing agreements implemented by UNDP.

During 2006-2009 Alfonso worked as the Principle Procurement Specialist for the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), based in Nicaragua, where he managed a substantive public procurement reform program funded by IADB and provided extensive support to institutional strengthening and capacity development.

Alfonso has been directly involved with operational, policy and strategic dimensions of procurement and contracting over the past 20+ years. He joined UNDP first in 1996 as Junior Professional Officer, at the Inter-Agency Procurement Services Office (IAPSO). He worked with UNDP Bosnia Herzegovina, UNDP Kosovo and UNDP Serbia until 2001, for UNOPS as a Procurement Specialist during 2001-2004 and for a private consultancy firm, as a Project Manager during 2004-2005..

Alfonso holds an MBA in Strategy and Procurement Management from the University of Birmingham (UK), and a Master Degree in Financial Management from the University of Deusto (Spain). He is a fully certified member (MCIPS) of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) (UK) and regularly conducts CIPS procurement courses for UNDP and other partners.