Procurement Specialist

Job organizational context

• Sudan is characterized by a governance and institutional infrastructure that has poor participation, weak accountability, and a lack of transparency. Both the justice and security sectors suffer from overt political influence and have limited capacity, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Pockets of intercommunal violence continue in many parts of the country, most recently in West Darfur and East Sudan, which reflect continued marginalization and deep-seated political grievances, as well as unresolved conflicts and tensions.
• The volatile situation and conflicts throughout Darfur over land, water resources, and pasture rights, are exacerbated by the proliferation of weapons in the region. In Darfur, competition for limited resources, exacerbated by climate change, is compounded by years of ethnic manipulation along tribal lines by the former regime and leaves civilians at significant risk, often leading to protracted humanitarian need.
• Sudan’s economic situation remains dire with increased expenditures and a decline in public revenues resulting in a budget deficit and rampant inflation which is exacerbating unrest across the country and eroded support for the Transitional Government.
• Drivers of humanitarian needs in Sudan are multifaceted in nature and increasing in severity and impact. Economic crisis, sharply increasing food prices, climate and environmental shocks, and intercommunal tensions and violent conflict, continue to propel and deepen poverty, vulnerability, internal displacement, and food insecurity. COVID-19 continues to pose a challenge, affecting the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable.
• Natural and human-induced environmental hazards, such as flooding, drought, desertification, and locust infestation, are increasing in frequency and severity, impacting the lives, livelihoods, and food security of the most vulnerable, particularly in agricultural and livestock dependent communities. In 2020, almost 900,000 people across 18 states were affected in the worst flooding in the country in 100 years. The problem persists in 2021, when since the start of the rainy season in July, over 300,000 people have been affected by heavy rains and flash floods in 14 states across the country. Conversely, limited water sources beyond the Nile, climate change related droughts, and desertification pose a threat to rural livelihoods and contribute to food insecurity and inter-communal tensions.
• The ongoing protracted demonstrations and civil unrest in many towns in Sudan have multiple socio-economic impacts on the population, particularly women and children. All UNICEF led sectors are impacted. Protestors have crippled operations at Sudan’s main port as the country sinks deeper into political and socio-economic crisis.
• Sudan continues to represent a complex programme environment in which economic conditions, as well as conflicts and hazards, contribute to determining how successfully and equitably an integrated humanitarian, resilience and development agenda can be advanced. Children in Sudan face challenges that threaten their survival, development, and protection, and therefore divesting from key sectors or states is not an option. The ability to implement the programme relies upon key assumptions, including the implementation of the government directives and procedures on humanitarian access.
• UNICEF remain committed to exploring and expanding strategic partnerships for programme implementation, while reinforcing national systems and institutional capacities. The varying institutional capacity of national actors will require UNICEF to continue to support social service delivery.

Key function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

• Supply chain service delivery and emergency response
• Collaboration with programme and implementing partners
• Technical and advisory support to government/national systems
• Innovation, products and markets

Impact of Results

• The ability of the Procurement Specialist to successfully plan, manage and oversee the effective and efficient supply chain management of goods and services for UNICEF Sudan, directly impact on programme goals and results for children.  This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility of UNICEF as an effective and responsible manager of funds entrusted to the organization and to furthering UNICEF image as a competent organization for delivering cost effective and sustainable program results for children.
• This job profile contributes to delivery of quality services / goods to the right holders.  It is expected to prevent risks of delay, hazard caused by poor service, reputation damage etc. in line with procurement strategies, including quality and end to end supply chain performance objectives and monitoring. Efficient and effective coordination with requesting sections, contractors, national and local authorities, UNICEF regional office, legal office and SD.

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

• Emergency experience is an advantage.
• Experience in procurement/contracting for high value, high risk and complex procurement /contracting of services is an advantage.

The following minimum requirements:

Recruitment Qualifications

• Education: -Advanced University Degree in Business Administration, Management, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law.
• Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/572444