UNICEF works in some of the world toughest places, to reach the world most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a fair chance!

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among other things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilisers, communities and families, and of course the children and adolescents themselves.

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives — being in good health, immunized, protected from polio and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website www.unicef.org/pakistan and videos on YouTube and Vimeo

The Procurement Services Manager reports to the Senior Supply and Logistics Manager P5 and supervises one Procurement Services Assistant at GS-6 level. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Supply and Logistics Manager, manages Procurement Services (PS) of a large country office, responsible for engaging with Government, development partners and Programme on Procurement Services (PS) and managing and implementing PS key accounts as well as complex and large requests, from planning, negotiating and review of MOU to monitoring and financing solutions of PS activities, facilitating smooth and efficient PS operations in Pakistan in close coordination with Supply Division, PS partners and Government, including supporting strengthening the national supply chain system.

To make a difference, the incumbent shall be responsible for following key strategic functions, accountabilities and related duties/ tasks;

1. Manage all Procurement Services activities as well as complex, large and multi-year projects for the UNICEF Pakistan office, including COVAX Facility activities
2. Build strong collaboration with the Government, PS partners and key development partners.
3. Manage ongoing PS transactions from forecasting, planning, implementation in collaboration with UNICEF SD Government, PS partners and development partners.
4. Oversee the overall pipeline of selected commodities related to the Procurement Services portfolio.
5. Support establishment of necessary partnership frameworks to provide PS.
6. Support Government and PS partners with national budgeting and supply financing solutions.
7. Contribute to building government capacity and strengthening of national immunization supply chain systems.

Key functions and related duties:

• Effectively manage all procurement services activities for the UNICEF Pakistan office with a large and complex portfolio in support of EPI, Polio and Nutrition. Build strong collaboration with the Government and partners. Manage strategic partnerships and PS key accounts as well as complex and large requests and multi-year projects.
• Effectively manage all COVAX Facility activities, including facilitation and communications between Government, GAVI, Supply Division and other partners.
• Participate in the Country programme strategy planning review meetings and provide input on the potential of Procurement Services and related activities as part of the different phases of the Country Programme planning and implementation cycle.
• Actively advocate for UNICEF Procurement Services in Pakistan and increase understanding of PS amongst partners, including through participation in relevant workshops, conference, high level government meetings. Identify opportunities for PS and build strategic partnerships. Engage with potential new PS partners on how UNICEF can provide assistance on health supply chain for their projects and programmes.
• Support establishment of necessary partnership frameworks to provide Procurement Services, including necessary risk assessment and mitigation. Provide advice to CO and partners on PS modalities and ensure adequate legal agreements are in place or initiate MoU negotiations with relevant partners in coordination with Supply Division. Advise on UNICEF procurement policies, FRR and procedures.
• Support the Government and PS partners with national budgeting for essential supplies and supply financing solutions. Address any funding gap with partners, donors and programme in order to leverage additional required resources under the PS mechanism, including identify pre-financing needs and liaise with SD for development of viable solutions. Manage donor relations and budget administration related to PS activities, incl. PS partner accounts.
• Responsible for PS forecasting and supply planning through coordination with Government and other partners. Provide technical advice and guidance to Government and partners in respect to needs assessment, product requirements, procurement planning to logistics arrangements, facilitating efficient procurement and timely delivery. Ensure all PS requests and activities are in line with UNICEF policy.
• Manage and monitor ongoing PS transactions/projects in collaboration with Supply Division and Programme facilitating the efficient and effective processing by identifying and addressing operational complexities, bottlenecks and gaps. Proactively work with all existing PS customers on supply/procurement planning to ensure that supplies are available in the right place, at the right time, in the right quantities, and at the right quality.
• Support National Supply Chain System Strengthening through effective collaboration and partnerships with other donors and implementing partners to improve the supply chain efficiency in the country. Contribute to building up and strengthening the capacity of the Government and other PS partners on supply chain management along with other key stakeholders, identifying system and capacity gaps in any segment of the supply chain that may require technical assistance from UNICEF related to vaccines, health and nutrition.
• Ensure that all new PS partners are screened as per policy and procedure. Review new requests for completeness and technical adequacy. In close collaboration with UNICEF SD CPH ensure timely processing of requests. Follow up and respond to any requests for clarifications or further details from SD CPH. Ensure regular monitoring and follow up with PS partners on all ongoing and new requests to ensure an efficient processing and respond to needs.
• Ensure efficient customer services and manage reputational risk to the organization related to PS activities. Manage complaints and Government enquiries related to PS and provide updates and technical fact finding on cases raised (incl. in Media). Work closely with Senior Management for adequate approaches and solutions.
• Prepare timely donor reports on PS activities. Provide input to Mid-Year and Annual Reporting of the CO as well as prepare PS annual forecast and reporting.
• Contributes to PS workshops, orientation sessions and other events. Provides training on PS internally and externally.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced University degree (Masters or higher) in Business Administration, Management or a related technical field.
• *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the management of Supply Chain, Procurement, Project Management and Engagement with Government and development partners at the national and international levels, three years of which should be in developing countries.
• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

F

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1), Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2), Works Collaboratively with others (2), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2), Innovates and Embraces Change (2), Thinks and Acts Strategically (2), Drive to achieve impactful results (2), Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.
• UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
• Verified educational certificates are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. This is re-advertisement hence candidates who applied previously need not to reapply.
• UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates will be prioritized.
• UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
• This post is open to both internal and external applicants.