Deadline: 15 December
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for 70 years has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.
Responsibilities
- Under the direct guidance of the Chief of Operations, the incumbent manages the supply and logistics operations of a complex nature with significant impact on programme delivery, services, supply and logistic, processes and systems, requiring advanced professional technical mastery and expertise in support of operations and programme objectives. Accountable for effective planning, contracting, procurement, distribution, inventory management of UNICEF’s supplies, in support of the Country Programmes
- Collaborates with other UN agencies to accelerate implementation of the Harmonized Business practices for supply and logistic initiatives in line with UN Reform
- Provide rapid and relevant responses to evolving supply needs and situations facing children and families, including emergency situations, with a priority on achieving value for money
- Responsible for supply and logistics planning through coordination with Operations, Programme Sections
- Provides technical advice on specifications, supply and logistics arrangements facilitating cost-effective efficient procurement, customs clearance, inventory management and distribution of supplies and equipment, in support of the country programme implementation
- Participate in the Country Programme strategy planning and reviews to advise on supply and logistics requirements for the Country Programme and Annual Work Plans
- Develops Supply and Logistics component of the Country Programme, including systems for storage and distribution of supplies to all project sites
- Ensure sound, accurate supply or logistics and contract management systems, procedures and documentation as well as regular, accurate reporting to maintain the highest level of integrity, standards and accountability
Establish and maintain contacts with the Supply Division in Copenhagen on supply and institutional contract procurement and shipping policies - Interprets and advises the country office on policies and procedures impacting on offshore and local procurement and delivery, and contracting for institutional services
- Maintains links with Copenhagen on transnational shipments, deliveries, claims and appropriateness of supplies
- Act as secretary and adviser to the CRC
- Establish and maintain a system of contact with customs and port or airport immigration authorities at national ports of entry on the clearance of UNICEF supplies, in keeping with established protocol. Conclude standby agreements with relevant private business companies for cost effective local procurement of supplies as well as for fielding of supply assistance to projects sites, End users
- Oversee the overall preparation of appropriate documentation: cash and supply requisitions, bid documents including requests for proposals, purchase orders, long term arrangements, CRC submissions
Ensure preparation of the supply status reports required for donor reports, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, appeals - Regularly create and communicate accurate procurement, contract and logistics tracking and monitoring data, GIT aging and incoming supplies information
- Ensure that effective support UNICEF and Government capacity-building efforts are provided in order to enhance efficient, effective and timely supply delivery
- Plan, design and conduct training for UNICEF’s staff or consultants and counterparts in supply management, contracting of services, customs clearance, distribution and inventory management of supplies and equipment in order to maximize supply delivery
- Provide effective coaching to the staff, consultants as required
- Support and work with programme sections to establish and implement strategies for support to strengthening of national supply chain systems including for health and nutrition commodities
- Supervise and manage effective procurement, local and offshore, with a goal to attain lowest cost without sacrificing quality
- Conduct local procurement through issuance of tenders requests for proposals, bid adjudication and contract management
- Conduct market research, identify and recommend potential local suppliers and service providers
- Gather and maintain data on and evaluate local supply sources’ overall performance, (competitive pricing, cost-effectiveness, product quality and timely delivery,) Monitor and assess supply operations and control mechanisms and advises on appropriate actions to take
- Monitor progress of offshore and regional procurement through regular contacts with the Action Office(s)
- Communicates and reports quality issues with respect to supplies and service agreements
- Collaboration and Partnership
- Coordinate with the Programme Section on supply planning, providing technical advice on procurement specifications and supply and contract administration as well as providing advice on supply requirements in the development of the supply component of the Country Programme
- Provide advice to the Country Office, Government and implementing partners on offshore and/or local procurement, contracting of services, delivery and utilization of UNICEF supplies and equipment; coordinate with the Supply Division, Copenhagen, on supply policy and activities
- Team with the Programme Section and other members of the Operations Section to facilitate procurement as well as efficient customs clearance, storage and distribution of supplies and equipment
- Develop and maintain partnership and collaborative relations with UNICEF, Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts in supply and logistics activities including distribution, monitoring supply inputs, and inventory
- Inform Programmes of slow moving inventory (where applicable), upcoming field distributions or deliveries, incoming materials and quality issues to ensure maximum use of available transportation, warehousing space, manpower and other resources
Qualifications
- An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Business Administration, Management, International Economics, Engineering, International Development, Contract or commercial Law or specialization in directly related areas including credited courses in supply, logistics, purchasing or contracting is required
- Equivalent educational qualification in a relevant field such as transport or logistics operations, management, supply management
- A five years of relevant experience at both the national and international level in the area(s) of supply, logistics, purchasing, contracting, administration and other related fields is required
- Work experience in emergency duty station is considered an asset
- Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required
- Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is an asset
- Competencies of Successful Candidate
- Commitment
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Integrity
- Core Competencies
- Communication
- Drive for Result
- Working With People
- Functional Competencies
- Applying Technical Expertise
- Deciding and Initiating Actions
- Following Instructions and Procedures
- Leading and Supervising
- Planning and Organizing
- UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation
How to apply
Applications should include a cover memo, completed UN P-11 form, CV, as well as two latest PERs (for UN staff) applications may be sent to the:
United Nations Children’s Fund, 3rd Floor,
United Nations House,
Alick Nkhata Road, Longacres,
PO Box 33610,
Lusaka.