Readvertisement – Contracts Specialist – P3

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

 

Strategic office context:

Humanitarian Cash Transfers for programmes is planned to grow in the year 2024 by a portfolio of over USD 100 M, following the scoping mission visit to Haiti by EMOPS and Supply Division team, this was one of the positions recommended to guarantee good management of the contracting processes for Humanitarian Cash Transfers for Programmes. It should be noted that this position is also foreseen to supervise the below support areas on top of the HCT programmes:

• Constructions contracting for services
• Programme Contracts (including Logistics services)
• Operations Contracts (mainly on administrative services for all offices in Haiti CO)
• Management of LTA’s for all categories including for goods
• Supervise the Contracting sub-section within the Supply Unit
• Capacity building in all areas for UNICEF staff in matters contracting

 

For every child, Results and Care

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief, Supply and Logisitics, the Contracts Specialist major role amongst others will be to guarantee good management of the contracting processes for Humanitarian Cash Transfers for Programmes.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities

1. Provide rapid and relevant procurement of services (with focus on HCT) support and guidance, with a priority on achieving value for money, to internal customers from Country Office

• Establish close collaboration with programme sections through involvement in programme planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Establish accountability framework with programmes, for delivery of results for children.
• Analyze supply spend and establish procurement strategies based on category management to focus on strategic, essential supplies and services that contribute to results for children, including establishment of long-term agreements (LTAs) where relevant
• Provide continuous and updated guidance on procurement for services activities to all internal customers as required and advise on the most appropriate procurement strategy.
• Support procurement planning through coordination with internal customers.
• Provide technical support in preparation of appropriate documents, and input on specifications, on procurement of fundraising services, facilitating cost-effective and efficient procurement.
• Provide proactive procurement support, review ongoing and future procurement requirements. Analyze supply dashboards, implementation rates of key performance indicators and supply information/data from various systems and conduct root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, with a view to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Collaborate efficiently and effectively with all members of the procurement team to maximize the outputs of the team and achieve the unit’s objectives.
• Ensure appropriate vendor management practices e.g., supply performance reviews are established and applied.
• Participate in high level emergency coordination, implementation and monitoring meetings with internal and external partners and establish close collaboration with Procurement Working Group.

2. Develop tender strategies, with a goal to achieve best value for money in contracting for goods and services (with focus to HCT) for the organization.

• Compile lists of possible sources of procurement.
• Prepare and issue international tenders, manage 2-stage RFP evaluation process and tabulate results in a comparison matrix.
• Manage bidding processes using UNICEF web tendering tool, and orienting service providers/suppliers on the use of the tool.
• Prepare Contracts Review Committee (CRC) submissions for orders above the CRC threshold and present the cases to the CRC committee for review and approval.
• Develop and prepare complex contracts for procurement of both once-off and long-term requirements for routine and non-routine services.
• Effectively manage ongoing long-term contracts for provision of goods and services to ensure that service provider/supplier’s performance is within stated service levels.
• Proactively initiate renewal of contracts before their expiry.
• Assist in the identification of new service providers/suppliers.
• Carry out other procurement related tasks as requested by the Supply Manager

3. Secure compliance with established UNICEF Financial rules & regulations to maintain the highest level of integrity, standards, and accountability.

• Ensure a procurement plan is prepared and updated for each Section.
• Ensure that contracts are in place because of competitive bidding exercises, in a timely manner and in accordance with UNICEF Financial rules & regulations and procurement guidelines and processes.
• Maintain effective working relations and contact with the Supply Division, Copenhagen, to confer on procurement policies, procedures, and guidance. Advise the internal customers on policies and procedures.

4. Ensure that effective support to UNICEF and Government capacity-building efforts are provided to enhance efficient, effective and timely services delivery

• Plan, design and conduct training for UNICEF’s staff/consultants and counterparts in supply management, 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.
• Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices on supply chain management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient supply chains for children.

5. Collaboration and Partnership

• Provide advice to the Country Office, Government and implementing partners on offshore and/or local procurement of services policies and procedures, delivery and utilization of UNICEF services; coordinate with the Supply Division, Copenhagen, on supply policy and/or activities.
• Provide supply input to FSP (Financial Service Providers) dialogue, and support development of supply of cash under HCT services components of contracts to FSPs including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies and services of HCT for programmes.
• Support assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society, establishment of Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs), and monitoring of supply components under Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT).
• Develop and maintain partnership and collaborative relations with Government, UN organizations and bilateral counterparts in contracting for services activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement.

 

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field, or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification with 2 additional years of experience will be required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly related technical contracting fields is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
• Emergency experience an advantage.
• Humanitarian Cash Transfer (HCT) programmes on supply chain management experience is an advantage.
• Fluency in French and good working knowledge of English is required. Knwoledge of local language is an asset.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate?

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

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.

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

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. 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.

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Please note that this is a non-family duty station. The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

 

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position:

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost).
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Let us know by writing to recruitment@cinfo.ch. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here : Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.