Procurement Training & Certification for the United Nations System

Summary:

SourcingHaus supports the United Nations system in strengthening procurement capacity through structured, practice-based training and certification programmes. Our work spans the development of customized Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) modules, integration of global standards into UN curricula, and worldwide delivery of CIPS-accredited training for UN procurement professionals. Emphasizing cost-efficiency, risk management, and sustainability, our approach enables procurement teams to deliver greater value, compliance, and impact - aligned with SDG 12.7, the Paris Agreement, and the UN’s Greening the Blue strategy.

The Challenge:

As UN organizations seek to achieve more with limited budgets, procurement has become a key enabler for both cost optimization and sustainable development outcomes. Procurement professionals face increasing complexity, including heightened expectations around transparency, supplier due diligence, climate risks, and social safeguards. There is a clear need to equip teams with tools, techniques, and certification pathways that enable smarter sourcing, stronger risk mitigation, and the integration of sustainability into day-to-day procurement decisions.

What We Did:

1. SPP Curriculum Development for UNDP
SourcingHaus developed a comprehensive Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) module for UNDP and tailored the full CIPS curriculum to reflect UN procurement practices. This included:

• Alignment with ISO 20400 and the UNDP Greening Moonshot (50% GHG reduction by 2030)
• Integration of SDG 12.7, the Paris Agreement, and ESG risk frameworks
• Practical exercises on life cycle costing (LCC), supply chain due diligence, and emissions mapping
• Application to both internal procurement and government-facing training delivery

2. Global Delivery of CIPS Training to UN Staff
SourcingHaus is subcontracted to deliver CIPS training to UN agencies across a variety of formats and regions. Notably:

• In-person training in Afghanistan (2023, 2024, 2025), reaching national and international UN staff in regional hubs including Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Kabul
• In-person training in Syria (2024), adapted for high-risk operational environments
• In-person delivery for HQ staff in New York
• Virtual training programmes for regional and global cohorts

All sessions are adapted to reflect UN-specific procurement rules, contextual risks, and operational realities, and are delivered using scenario-based, practice-driven methodologies.

The Impact:

• Strengthened procurement capability across dozens of UN entities and offices globally, building alignment between procurement practice and the UN’s ESG and cost-efficiency goals
• Delivered training in complex risk settings, ensuring that staff in Afghanistan and Syria are equipped with tools to manage procurement risks, drive value for money, and integrate sustainability under operational constraints
• Developed and delivered SPP training modules aligned with ISO 20400 and the GHG Protocol, now embedded in CIPS-accredited pathways
• Supported the institutionalization of sustainable procurement training in the UN system and among national partners, contributing to implementation of SDG 12.7 and the UN’s internal Greening the Blue targets
• Promoted cost-effective and risk-informed procurement, including the use of tools such as life cycle costing, supply risk mapping, and supplier performance monitoring