Neris M. Baez Garcia De Mazzora

• Direct and manage the procurement management strategy of the United Nations (UN) to strengthen an efficient, agile, client-oriented and accountable procurement operation. Implement a $3bn+ portfolio.
• Improve transparency and risk management, and promote innovation and circular procurement.
• Ensure the principles of procurement are reflected in day-to-day procedures and practices of the Division, that proper internal controls are established at all levels of the Division, and the levels of risk (operational, financial and fraud) at the corporate and other levels are identified and addressed.
• Provide overall advice and guidance on procurement matters to UN entities globally.
• Contribute to the formulation of the Department's overall strategies and policies in the area of procurement, and acting in an advisory capacity to the Under Secretary-General for Operational Support and the Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain.
• Provide leadership to the development of innovative and change management projects that include the collaborative engagement of other UN entities.
• Advance the professionalization and certification of the procurement workforce and provide guidance to the UN Secretariat global procurement practitioner community.
• Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of
  outputs and their timely delivery.
• Support continuous improvement and realization of efficiencies in processes.
• Promote technological awareness and innovation mindset and lead execution of innovative initiatives to make the procurement function more efficient.
• Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensuring that timely procurement support is provided to all clients; co-ordinate work in the different areas both within the Division and Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations System including with the Procurement Network of the High-level Committee on Management to identify procurement synergies with other United Nations entities.
• Report to, and attend to meetings of intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Fifth Committee, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
• Report to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on
  programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
• Ensure that the outputs produced by the Division maintain the highest quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data.
• Oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning
  of the Division, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance.
• Manage 100+staff, with 8 direct reports.
• Oversee the recruitment of staff for Division taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
• Inspire, manage, guide, develop and train staff under my supervision; foster
  teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries.
• Promote the work of the Division and ensure access of information to the procurement community at large.
• Chair meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; represent the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, business seminars and conferences.

• Led the procurement function in the IAEA, provided direction and guidance to staff, and promoted the development of knowledge and relevant
  skills within the team.
• Established and monitored standards of excellence in performance, and developed integrated programmes of work with special emphasis on quality,
  transparency, efficiency and integrity, as well as compliance with IAEA rules and regulations. Ensured the availability of adequate human and financial resources.
• Provided advice to senior management on all issues relating to procurement and contracting.
• Anticipated emerging procurement challenges and trends, and provided authoritative advice on the direction to be followed.
• Based on international best practices and regular client feedback, ensured that efficient processes, policies and procedures were in place and followed, leading to cost effectiveness, procurement system efficiency and financial audit compliance.
• Ensured that all internal processes and tools were adequately documented and supported.

• Ensured that procurement actions were carried out in accordance with Financial Regulations and Rules, Administrative Directives and other policy guidance and, as agreed with the substantive offices, to meet the programme/operational requirements of the CTBTO.
• Assumed overall responsibility for and provided guidance on, all aspects of the procurement function (vendor outreach, solicitations, contracts, negotiations, management and implementation of contracts, etc.).
• Managed the procurement process and the Procurement Section so as to enable the technical divisions to achieve their operational objectives, demonstrating value for money and fair and transparent procurement actions.
• Initiated and implemented techniques and procedures as necessary to facilitate the streamlined execution of procurement operations.
• Assessed the CTBTO's procurement standards, review procedures and policies, and, introduced ways to adopt new developments in public sector procurement with the aim of improving cost effectiveness and efficiency.
• Reported to Member States and internal management bodies on implementation parameters of procurement actions.
  - Perform other duties as assigned/elected:
  Member of the Joint Appeals Panel and Joint
  Disciplinary Panel, Member of the Mediation
  Team, Member of several Task Force for
  Implementation of Administrative Directives on
  Voluntary Contribution, Commission's
  Sponsored events, etc.

• Drafted and established a new administrative policy framework of the IAEA resulting from the implementation of the IAEA's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
• Provided advice and guidance to ERP project team members, process owners, managers as well as to the IAEA's executive management on legal and procurement matters.
• Advised and drafted regulations, rules and administrative instructions on the IAEA's new procurement governance schema and strategy.
• Focal point for policy issues on procurement.
• Member of the Procurement Review Committee in charge of considering contract awards and recommending approval of contracts by the IAEA's Procurement Approving Authority.
• Provided authoritative legal advice as member of various IAEA consultative bodies such as the IPSAS Financial Regulations and Rules Review Group, IPSAS Steering Committee, AIPS (Enterprise Resource Planning system) Project Board.

• Performed as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for the world-wide procurement of diverse products and services associated with
  significant complexity (legally and technically) for the CTBTO Headquarters and its stations all over the world.
• Acted as Head of the Operation and Maintenance team, overseeing the contractual support for the testing and evaluation and post-certification activities (T&E/PCA) of stations belonging to the International Monitoring System.
• Undertook managerial tasks including acting as Officer in Charge of the Section: distribution and oversight of projects among the section; development of strategies for conclusion of contracts, portfolio review meetings with clients and other stakeholders, interviews and recruitment of administrative staff, consultant and interns.
• Prepared and presented reports to Management, Policy Making Organs.
• Focal point for all audit queries, reports and implementation of recommendations.
• Outreached and discussed with representatives of Permanent Missions on the
  strategies and guidelines for the procurement of goods/services for IMS stations and/or CTBTO Headquarters.
• Participated as speaker on PTS' procurement regulations and rules and administrative framework for the operation and maintenance at several workshops.
• Reviewed and re-drafted model contracts and/or procurement-related documents, correspondence and reports.
• Analyzed the existing practices and procedures and contributed to the development of institutional procurement policies procedures.

• Provided legal advice and negotiated agreements regarding the Bank's and its Central and Eastern European, Asian and American subsidiaries intervention in diverse international finance projects, such as Syndicated Loans, Sub-Participations, Trade Finance, Securitization and Collaterals under English law.
• Provided legal advice, opinions and solutions regarding issues and risks on various transactional and regulatory matters in the area of international commercial products, as well as any other contractual and corporate matters.
• Liaised with foreign law firms and lawyers in diverse financial institutions.

• External Counsel for banking institutions (Chase Manhattan Bank) on corporate and financial matters and legal advice in general.
• Counseled, drafted and oversaw loan agreements from international and
  national financial institutions for development projects in agricultural, forestry and related areas.
• Studied, appraised and executed foreign and national investments projects in different areas of national economy.
• Member of the Tax and Financial-Monetary and Corporate Departments.
• Preparation of budget and programs of the Tax and Financial-Monetary Departments.
• Provided legal advice and opinions on commercial, tax, corporate and criminal law matters.
• Counseled clients on corporate and tax structures..
• Drafted, negotiated and executed agreements, contracts, memoranda of
  understanding.
• Researched and studied jurisprudence in above mentioned areas of law in order to maintain professional knowledge base.
• Member of the Board for Maintenance and Security of the law office headquarters.

During the period September 1996 - September 1997 I attended a Master's Degree (LL.M.) in London, under a sabbatical programme and therefore continued to be part of the lawyers' team.

• Executed general legal administrative work.
• Conducted legal research for lawyers of the firm.
• Assisted in preparation of commercial and criminal law trials and provided support to lawyers of the firm during appearances at court.
• Drafted opinions in corporate and commercial law.