Procurement Services Associate

Under the supervision and guidance of the Supply & Procurement Officer, the Procurement Services Associate will be responsible for the day-to-day assistance with procurement services cycle of vaccines, nutrients, and safe injection equipment in support to the Ministry of health in Morocco (MoH) as part of UNICEF’s country programmes of cooperation ensuring accurate and timely coordination between Supply Division and MoH on annual forecasting exercise, Procurement Services Request and Cost Estimate, shipment delivery as well as monitoring of PS supplies and complains reporting to ensure an uninterrupted supply of affordable quality vaccines and immunization related supplies for Children.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

Responsible for the day-to day procurement services administration and transactional support

• Support coordination between UNICEF Supply Division and Government counterpart to finalize the annual forecasting exercise for country needs on PS supplies by engaging timely with the Ministry of Health to take timely action in providing required data used for the exercise as per the Forecast documents, templates, and guidelines.
• Monitors the status of procurement service supplies in the country. Undertake on-going dialogue with Procurement Services partners at various levels. Pro-actively follows up on placed orders and deliveries with all parties concerned to ensure timely and safe delivery of goods. Transmits all relevant information to PS customer including changes to planned deliveries, to facilitate delivery and customs clearance of shipments. Prepares and provides timely and regular status / monitoring reports to customers.
• Ensure coordination and monitoring of PS transactions, including beyond the point of entry; facilitate an effective PS workflow; and facilitate resolution of any bottlenecks, gaps, or other in-country issues associated with any PS transactions in close collaboration with SD and national counterparts.
• support Introduction of new vaccines in the national immunization schedule, Morocco switch to wP Hexavalent product once the product has been pre-qualified by WHO and is available in the market as part of the Morocco Global Strategic Plan for Polio Eradication 2022– 2026
• Ensure coordination and monitoring of PS transactions to support Maintaining a coverage rate > 95% at all levels in immunization.
• Support the establishment of an integrated stock and inventory management system for vaccines.
• Work closely with Government (MoH and its affiliates), UNICEF Supply Division, and national/international service providers to support implementation and management of PS projects and transactions including preliminary screening of PS requests for consistency and compliance with UNICEF policy and mandate , liaising with relevant programmed officers at the Country Office and with SD, support to complex projects, monitoring transactions ensuring constant liaison with the partner(s) on the status and proper reporting.
• Prepare regular French translations for cover letters accompanying the Cost Estimates providing information and instructions and submit it to the partner for acceptance and follow up on transferring the funds to initiate the procurement process.
• Maintains links with Supply Division in Copenhagen on transnational shipments, deliveries, claims and appropriateness of supplies linked to procurement services.
• Ensure ICL service contracts are issued with adequate budget requirements.
• Timely Follow up on the completion of the vaccine arrival Report VAR on the online eVAR tool as per time frame.
• Share Statement of Accounts issued to the partner and follow up on any remaining contingency buffer and/or balances to be reprogrammed or returned based on partner instructions.
• Establish and maintain contacts with UNICEF Supply Division in Copenhagen on supply procurement and shipping policies.  Interprets and advises the country office on policies and procedures impacting on Procurement Services projects.
• In consultation with supervisor, provide input to the Country Programme Action Planning and advice on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Participate in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the supply chain operations, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of products and services.
• in close collaboration with supervisor and Programme colleagues, Support establishment of learning material and knowledge exchange for PS community of practice. Provide input to capacity development initiatives in the area of PS and supply chains for children. Support supply components of health systems strengthening.
• In consultation with supervisor and Supply Division, provide input to promoting of supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Prepare relevant supply reports to facilitate advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply solutions for children, such as use of procurement services; supply financing solutions; local market development; private sector engagement.
• Any other assignments as requested by the supervisor.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Education: Completion of secondary school education is required, with courses/certifications in business administration, supply chain management, procurement or logistics considered as an advantage.
• Experience: A minimum of six years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work and Health supply chain management experience is an asset.
• Familiarity with UNICEF, UN supply procedures and systems is an asset.
• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF office tools is an asset.
• Experience working in emergency settings and in cold chain systems, health system and its programs such as immunization, is an added advantage.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with Partners, suppliers, and co-workers and to obtain assistance and cooperation from others in a team effort.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports or rationale for procurement decisions on key issues.
• Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
• Language: Fluency in French is required as well as a very good knowledge of English. Arabic is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/570997