Procurement Services Manager, (P-4), Fixed-Term, Abuja, Nigeria #96949

UNICEF Nigeria Country Office seeks to recruit a Procurement Services Manager who will work closely with colleagues in Health Section, Supply Division and the respective Departments of Government of Nigeria to manage all aspects of Procurement Services. S/he will provide vision, technical leadership and coordination of technical support to regional and country office for strengthening national Cold Chain Logistics and Supply Management systems. S/he will also work with partners to develop/update the national strategies, tools and guidance on CCL&VM policies, procedures and systems.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, an Advocate!

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children’s rights in partnership with government, civil society, children and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally – click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/.

We are looking for a Procurement Services Manager, to become part of a highly motivated and committed team of over 400 staff who work to bring visible changes in the lives of the most disadvantaged children in Nigeria.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Chief Supply, the Procurement Services Manager provides strategic leadership, forecasting and procurement guidance, and coordination of technical support, financing, and fundraising to the Government for strengthening national supply chain systems and ensuring availability of key health and nutrition commodities. This position also works with local partners, such as the World Bank, USAID, the National Product Supply Chain Planning Team, the Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and the National Logistics Working Group to develop and update the national strategies, tools and guidance on supply chain policies, procedures and systems.

This position works with Headquarters teams in Supply Division, the Regional Office, and Country Office colleagues to shape and coordinate technical assistance and trainings to national counterparts to meet and build upon minimum standards in relation to: (1) forecasting, financing, procurement, and tracking of health and nutrition commodities, including vaccines, immunization devices, RUTF, micronutrient supplements, medical equipment, cold chain equipment, and oxygen systems; (2) development of local manufacturing partners; (3) end user monitoring and stock management practices to prevent stock-outs, wastage, and pilferage; (4) international arrivals, customs clearance, transport and storage solutions, including outsourcing; and (5) overall design of supply chain systems, including alternative modes of transport and integration with other health programmes.

The function is characterized as highly independent, strategic, managerial, and experienced in system strengthening efforts, modalities, and opportunities. The position will require a continuous improvement mindset, outlining, prioritizing, and implementing opportunities for improvement in internal controls and management.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Procurement services manager P4_JD_FINAL_Reviewed 26-09-2024.docx

Key responsibilities:

1. Provide support and guidance to Key Counterparts at National levels and INGOs on PS  planning and transactions through regular communications, training and workshops and visits, as required.
2. In coordination with Supply Division, deliver PS Key Accounts as well as complex and large requests and projects.
3. Ensure proactive management of UNICEF Nigeria’s Procurement Services activities and relationship with the Government . Monitor overall PS transactions (Requests, Cost Estimates, Funding, Orders, and Shipments) and facilitates the efficient and effective PS workflow by addressing the bottlenecks and gaps and improving the processes, in close coordination with PS Centre in SD and National Counterparts.
4. Contribute to SD Workshops, special/other events. Provides training on PS, particularly with regard to transaction management.
5. Provide advice to the Country Office, Government and implementing partners on offshore and/or local procurement of goods and institutional services policies and procedures, Procurement Services and GAVI Co-financing; delivery and utilization of UNICEF supplies and equipment; coordinate with the Supply Division, Copenhagen, on supply policy and/or activities.
6. Engage with Government partners, UNICEF Nigeria Field Offices, and SD on innovative financing opportunities, such as the Vaccine Independence Initiative pre-financing and the Child Nutrition Match Fund.
7. Work with Programme Sections (such as Health and Nutrition), Supply Division and partners to develop/update tools and guidance on policies, procedures and systems; and provide support through ROs and COs to implement at country level. Provides support, as needed, in training counterparts and undertaking Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessments; and in developing and implementing the EVM-based Improvement Plan. On-going review of the tools and methods in the vaccine management for refining and improving them.
8. Develop and maintain partnership and collaborative relations with UNICEF, Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts in supply/logistics and institutional services activities including distribution, monitoring supply inputs, and inventory.
9. Participate in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.
10. Manage the Procurement Services Unit in the Supply Section, overseeing data collection, quality control, resource management, budgeting needs, and career development of national staff.
11. Serve as Supply Section Officer-in-Charge when needed to ensure proper policies and procedures are followed in the Supply Section, information is shared with the Country Management Team and Operations Leadership, and Human Resource needs are addressed.

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

Minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Supply chain management or Public Health or Program management, or other academic qualifications in similar areas, and relevant experience.
  A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in supply chain, logistics, immunization, or related areas; of which at least 2-4 years in developing countries.
• Knowledge of the UNICEF Procurement Services process from Forecast through Cost Estimates, Purchase Orders, and Funds Utilization.
• Demonstrated experience in supply chain system strengthening activities in support of governments
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of immunization supply chain topics, including forecasting, procurement, storage, and distribution of cold chain vaccines and related ancillary commodities, such as syringes.
• Strong knowledge of UNICEF logistics systems and processes, including the ability to use supply related modules within UNICEF ERP system, such as the Supply Chain Dashboard.
• Expertise with MS Excel, including calculations, pivot tables, and dashboards. Experience using other MS tools, such as Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, suppliers and colleagues and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor.
• Ability to establish priorities and plan his/her own work and plan, coordinate and monitor the work of those under his/her supervision.
• Ability to draft clear and concise reports or rationale for supply-related decisions on key issues.
• Ability to resolve difficult, complex and sensitive situations often under pressure.
• Advanced communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of latest developments and technology in logistics.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.