The UNOPS Possibilities (UP) Programme aims to enhance the diversity of the UNOPS supplier base. More than just a traditional supplier diversity programme, UP is about enabling diverse suppliers to explore and unlock their potential to do business with UNOPS. The programme focuses on local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), women and youth-owned businesses, and other diverse suppliers, such as those businesses owned by special interest groups (e.g. people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQI+ community, racialized and indigenous groups).
UP is composed mainly of three initiatives – the UP Forum, UP Portal and UP Toolbox, in addition to guidelines, partnerships and data analysis and reporting tools. These initiatives focus on building the capacity of diverse suppliers through various customised engagements. These include awareness campaigns, virtual and face to face events, as well as free tailored advice and support through online resources. These engagements help to provide suppliers with a better understanding about how todo business with UNOPS.
Implemented in
- Africa
- Asia / Pacific
- Europe and Central Asia
- Latin America / Caribbean
- Middle East
- North America
Sectors of activity
Consumer Goods, Buildings and construction, Scientific Research, Development and Innovation, Public Procurement
Type of initiative
Capacity Building & Implementation, Policy Frameworks & Tools
Type of lead actor
United Nations / intergovernmental organizations
Submitted on:
17/01/2018Objectives
UP focuses on leveraging the potential of local MSMEs and other diverse businesses. The programme builds mainly on three initiatives: the UP Forums, the UP Portal and the UP Toolbox.
The UP Portal provides the opportunity for MSMEs to showcase their solutions and increase their visibility among UNOPS procurement officials. The UP Forums are capacity building events that aim to strengthen and inspire businesses to be successful and learn how to work with the UNOPS. The UP Toolbox consists of useful resources on UNOPS policies, tools, training and initiatives that can help businesses become familiar with the requirements that UNOPS suppliers must fulfill.
Activities
As collected through the One Planet Reporting
Output level
Training for SCP
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Capacity building workshops for SMEs, with a focus on Women-owned business and youth businesses.
Capacity building workshops for SMEs, with a focus on Women-owned business and youth businesses.
Regions
Africa
Latin America / Caribbean
Lead organization
UNOPS
Objective
The main goal of the UP forums is to give SMEs, women, youth or other diverse businesses an opportunity to part-take in a free capacity building event. These participants receive hands-on training on procurement and how to be an entrepreneur, including the following key learning topics: How to be a successful entrepreneur Public procurement basics How to register as a vendor on UNGM Sustainable development and sustainable procurement
Achievements
This inspirational 2-day event brings together multiple stakeholders including current and potential suppliers, local NGOs, chambers of commerce, associations that support NGOs, government and successful entrepreneurs. Between 2016 - 2017 we have had three pilot UP Forum events in Jordan, Ethiopia and Brazil. From these events, we have had 300 vendors participate receive hands-on training in procurement and what is needed to become a vendor for UNOPS and the UN. By providing this type of opportunity and training to small businesses we can support the building of local economies and continue UNOPS effort to lead in sustainable procurement. "I have attended many workshops of this kind before, but this one is different: I never imagined I could ever do business with the UN, but now I have the insights on how to do it." Quote from a participate in Ethiopia May10-11 2017
Impact and Results
By providing targeted and customised development opportunities to small and diverse businesses UNOPS not only supports the organisation’s internal sustainable procurement efforts (and additional benefits such as enhancing value for money, enhanced competition, and improved supply chain continuity and resilience), but also the strengthening of the local markets. Currently 90% of UNOPS tenders are awarded to MSMEs and 9% to Women-Owned Businesses, hence the work of UP is particularly relevant. As such, in the context of the current global scenario caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, by working with local diverse suppliers, UNOPS increases its efforts of indirectly supporting the economic recovery of the local markets while also sustaining the communities that we serve.
Next steps and how to get involved
If you are a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise please visit the website: http://www.unops.org/possibilities
Contact information: If you have any questions about the UNOPS Possibilities please email: possibilities@unops.org