Vendor Integrity Unit Intern

Graduate Degree student preferred. 

The Mayor's Office of Contract Services (MOCS) is a New York City oversight and service agency that manages procurement citywide, from planning and release of agency solicitations to payment of vendors. Annually, agencies procure billions in products and services from a diverse pool of vendors that represent various industries. MOCS therefore aims to ensure that the procurement process remains fair, transparent, efficient and cost-effective.  

MOCS makes it easier to do business through use of end-to-end technology tools, increases transparency by publication of enriched data and hosting public hearings, and strengthens procurement operations by providing direct assistance and resources to all stakeholders. MOCS also partners with agencies and vendors to identify areas for policy reform, resulting in ongoing process improvement to reduce administrative burdens and increase the positive impact of services on communities. The MOCS Director serves as the City Chief Procurement Officer.  

JOB DESCRIPTION:   

MOCS team members operate in a collaborative, service-oriented environment, where flexibility and ability to achieve results are valued. Interns perform a range of defined tasks assigned by supervisors. All MOCS interns are expected to deliver timely and quality work products and services, participate in ongoing improvement activities, proactively deepen their knowledge of procurement and government operations, and will use modern technology software and hardware to complete daily duties. Interns also collaborate with other team members to implement projects, help to maintain and/or analyze operational data, and interact with external stakeholders. 

MOCS seeks to hire a Vendor Integrity Unit (“VIU”) Intern to provide support in the management of inter-agency work on vendor risk and compliance issues, including policy compliance, individual vendor issues, and agency training and development.  

Under the direction of the Associate Director for VIU and the Assistant Director, Risk Management, the VIU Intern will serve a key role in coordinating day-to-day activities of the risk management portfolio using methods which are consistent with agency policies, City of New York policies, industry standards, and best practices and manage preliminary reviews of vendor compliance submissions.  

The specific responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to the following:     

• Consult with agency staff on vendor integrity issues, including:  
• Receive vendor concerns from agencies and follow procedures to document issue and do further research as necessary.  
• Coordinate meetings and communication with multiple agencies as needed to understand the scope of the vendor issue.  
• Support the implementation of a consistent risk management program, to effectively manage agency procurement risk in the PASSPort system. 
• Complete Vendor Integrity Reviews 
• Maintain vendor risk audit and report mechanisms to identify vendor integrity concerns. 
• Track and report outcomes from vendor review activities. 
• Communicate with vendors and with other units within MOCS as appropriate to obtain additional information and troubleshoot ad hoc Risk and/or Compliance matters. 
• Perform preliminary reviews of Request For Written Consent submissions in accordance with the NYC Anti-Nepotism policy and procedure. 
• Perform special projects, as needed.  

PREFERRED SKILLS  

Intermediate skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word. 

Graduate Degree student preferred. 

Customer service focused and results oriented. 

Comfortable with ambiguity, taking initiative to define and execute critical tasks; and 

Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders. 

Ability to succinctly and effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing across internal and external stakeholder communities, including the presentation of complex data.  

Sound judgment and appropriate discretion when engaging with varied stakeholders. 

Collaborative and positive attitude; flexibility in a fast moving and evolving office and division; and   

Demonstrated interest in city government, contracting and procurement policies and procedures, or vendor compliance and management.