Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional Hubs and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.
The 2030 Agenda for SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development, including widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of health threats. The scope and scale of delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing. As affirmed in the Political Declaration of the 2019 High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and others are critical partners for delivering on the health-related goals of the 2030 Agenda. Stronger Collaboration, Better Health: Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All outlines how a dozen multilateral health, development and humanitarian agencies, including UNDP, the Global Fund, Gavi and others will collaborate to be more efficient and effective in supporting countries to deliver UHC and achieve the health-related SDG targets.
UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund, in line with UNDP’s HIV and Health Strategy 2022-2025: Connecting the Dots, makes a vital contribution to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind.
As a long-standing partner of the Global Fund, UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance to Global Fund grants in 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach in supporting to countries with significant national capacity constraints to manage large-scale health programmes. By providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management, UNDP is able to deliver results whilst sustainably transitioning to national entities. UNDP’s track record as PR over the last 17 years and capacity to deliver in challenging operating environments has been critical for strengthening its positioning as a health implementation support partner.
Based on demand from Country Offices, and building on the relationships, expertise, systems, partnerships, including across the UN family, and comparative advantage established through the Global Fund partnership, the GPN/BPPS/Global Fund Partnership and Health Systems Team (GFPHST) is providing support to Country Offices through three overarching modalities: 1) the Global Fund portfolio, 2) health procurement and supply chain management support, and 3) other health implementation support beyond the Global Fund, including Gavi-funded activities, Solar for Health and Smart Facilities for Health.
In line with established best practice, UNDP has a Quality Assurance (QA) Policy for all health products supplied by UNDP. The UNDP QA Policy is a key document for all parties involved in health procurement activities across UNDP as well as for national partners, suppliers, and donors as it details UNDP’s requirements for health procurement, which are in line with international best practice. Regular monitoring and oversight of the implementation of the QA policy, and support to its implementation, is under the responsibility of Global Fund Partnership Team.
Position Purpose:
Under the direct supervision of the Manager, GFPHST, the Senior Health Procurement and Supply Management Advisor shall lead the strategic development, advisory and coordination support to UNDP Country Offices, governments and civil society organizations in managing the specialized procurement and supply chain management requirements in line with UNDP rules, policies and procedures. The incumbent will have oversight of the development, implementation and monitoring of the UNDP overall strategy for procurement and supply chain management for Global Fund programmes and other health development initiatives. The Senior Health Procurement and Supply Management Advisor promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations, contributing to the country team approach and support to the integration of capacity building activities
Duties and Responsibilities
Responsible for the development of the overall strategy for procurement and supply chain management for Global Fund programmes and other health development initiatives, with the following key responsibilities:
- Lead the development of the overall strategy for procurement and supply chain management that can be accepted by UNDP and by main partners, including the Global Fund which reflects UNDP’s rules, policies and procedures, audit recommendations and the objectives of UNDP’s HIV and Health Strategy.
- Guide and manage, in coordination with the GHPC, the priority goods and/or services required for health procurement programmes; analyzes the global market and identify potential suppliers and business partners to pursue new opportunities ensuring value for money and mutually beneficial terms;
- Analyze and recommend solutions to complex problems frequently encountered in the implementation of procurement activities as reflected in progress reports, Office of Audit and Investigations audit recommendations and feedback from Country Offices and Bureau of Management;
- Lead the identification of risks related to health product management and PSM arrangements and ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are in place for the effective and efficient implementation of activities related to the management of health products to prevent essential service disruption and use of substandard health products.
- Develop, establish, maintain and monitor partnerships, in coordination with the GHPC, global Long-Term Agreements for procurement and supply chain management (from quantification to distribution) and Service Level Agreements; and
- Develop and monitor key procurement and supply chain management programme results and set of performance indicators against which to regularly report progress.
Ensures strategic human resources management and supervision of the specialized health procurement and supply management staff, with the following key responsibilities:
- Facilitate effective collaborative work planning and implementation processes to meet the GFPHST work plan objectives and outputs and the achievement of results within the resources allocated;
- Build and create a positive team environment where team members are able to perform optimally, respond to challenges creatively and collaboratively in line with the Country Team approach, and access coaching and mentoring as needed;
- Establish schedules and priorities for procurement and supply chain management activities in close cooperation with Country Offices, regional hubs, procurement counterparts, Global Fund colleagues and other technical partners;
- Oversight of recruitment process and performance management systems ensuring link of job design with recruitment, performance management and career development;
- Establish and maintain a roster of specialized consultants to support Country Offices, governments and civil society organizations achieve programme results and building capacity and health systems; and
Ensure the compliance of procurement and operations with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, implementation of cooperate operational strategies and monitoring of results.
Advisory and support services to Country Offices and governments in the area of health procurement and supply chain management, with the following key responsibilities:
- As part of the Country Team, provide high level technical advisory services to Country Offices and governments for health system strengthening, in the area of procurement of health commodities and supply chain management;
- Provide strategic technical advice to Country Offices for the formulation of Project Documents, Procurement and Supply Management Plans, work plan and budgets for Global Fund funded programmes and other health initiatives;
- Lead policy advice and technical support for Country Offices for CAP and ACP submissions; and
- Provide capacity building (on procedures and best practices of procurement and supply chain management) to Country Offices, governments, and civil society organizations.
Under the overall guidance and leadership of the Manager, GFPHST, the Senior Health Procurement and Supply Management Advisor supports partnership building and resource mobilization for UNDP, with the following key responsibilities:
- Manage and lead overall resource mobilization of Country Offices, and the HIV and Health Group with a focus on health system strengthening, specifically in the area of procurement and supply chain management;
- Advocate for UNDP with government counterparts, donor community, international financial institutions, private sector and the UN;
- Develop and maintain, in coordination with GHPC, effective partnerships with the UN, Global Fund and other health and procurement agencies working on procurement and supply chain management; participates in an active network to exchange experience and solve common procurement-related issues; and
- Develop and maintain collaborative working relationship with colleagues in UNDP/BPPS, Bureau of Management/Office of Procurement, Office of Audit and Investigations, Legal Support Office, and Regional Bureaus.
Ensures forward-looking information and communication management, with the following key responsibilities:
- Promote knowledge management to ensure access to best available expertise and facilitate organizational learning;
- Develop annual work plan for communication strategy for sharing of UNDP’s results on health system strengthening initiatives, specifically procurement and supply chain management;
- Promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge sharing, information provision and learning including e-registry, web-based office management system etc;
- Contribute substantially to the coordination of global, regional and country led initiatives for the identification of best practices in health system strengthening, in the area of procurement and supply chain management;
- Formulate specific guidelines, tools, best practices for procurement and supply chain management for use by Country Offices, governments, and other partners; and
- Actively participate in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote capacity development in procurement and supply chain management and asset management.
Any other activity assigned by the Manager, Global Fund Partnership Health Systems Team, HIV and Health Group, BPPS.
Competencies
Core:
Achieve Results:
- Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:
- Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:
- Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:
- Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:
- Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:
- Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
- Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical:
Business direction and strategy – Negotiation and Influence:
- Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and create ‘win-win’ situations
Business direction and strategy – Business Acumen:
- Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks
Business Management – Risk Management:
- Ability to identify and organise action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management – Partnerships Management:
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Business Management – Communication:
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Procurement – Supplier/relationship management:
- Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situation
2030 Agenda: People – Health:
- Procurement services of health products
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Pharmacy, Procurement, Supply Chain Management,, Business Administration, or related area
- OR Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline plus two additional years of relevant work experience
Experience:
- At least 10 years (with Master’s degree) of relevant experience in the field of health procurement and supply chain management.
- Candidates in possession of only a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) require at least 12 years of relevant work experience for consideration.
- Demonstrated expertise of at least 5 years in supply chain management in the health sector in developing countries.
- Knowledge of and/or expertise of UN or UNDP procurement policies and procedures is an asset.
- Knowledge of Global Fund Health Procurement and Supply Management policies and procedures is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience in developing partnerships on PSM issues at country, regional or international level.
- Proven experience in managing teams, developing and engaging team members towards achieving high levels of performance and delivering results is an asset.
Language:
- Fluency in English both written and oral.
- Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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