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, a calling

Since 2011, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has undergone a dramatic transformation. What was once a middle-income region, where UNICEF was implementing mostly upstream work, has now become the region with the greatest concentration of humanitarian needs in the world with two Level 3 emergencies (Yemen and Syria) and many countries that are facing protracted conflicts as well as civil unrest and/or political transition. The role of MENARO is to support all countries in the region in a more deliberate, consistent and value-added way, explicitly allocating the vast majority of programme and cross-cutting staff time and resources to country office technical assistance and quality assurance.

How can you make a difference?

The Supply and Logistics Associate reports to the Regional Chief of Supply as per the MENA Regional Office set-up for supervision and guidance.  The Supply and Logistics Associate provides technical and operational support as needed to all countries in the MENA region in all elements of supply chain operations. The supply chain operations include planning, procurement, contracting, customs clearance, warehousing, in country transport and distribution, as well as monitoring of supplies, services and construction works. The incumbent supports management in the collaboration with programmes to define and implement supply interventions that meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children, and provides technical and advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management. The key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks are within the context of a regional role, the purpose of which is to provide technical and operational support to all countries in the MENA region. The incumbent will also support administrative functions as required to facilitate the smooth operation of the MENARO supply unit.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

Planning

• In consultation with supervisor, provide input to the Regional Office Management Plan (ROMP) and advise on supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans.
• Support regional supply emergency preparedness and response plan activities including establishment of Long-Term Arrangements (LTAs), Logistics Capacity Assessment and and pre-positioning of stock.

 Procurement/contracting:

• Provide input to and advice on country annual supply plans. Support countries to conduct data review and analysis for category management and development of procurement strategies.
• Conduct market research in relevant areas for UNICEF and advice on best approaches to obtain best value for money and sustainable procurement. Support product innovation and market shaping initiatives for specific categories of supplies and services.
• Liaise with clients in planning procurement and contracting initiatives, supporting development of appropriate specifications, terms of reference, and logistics arrangements and timelines. Take into account opportunities to strengthen sustainability of supply chains. Keep stakeholders/partners informed on the progress of initiatives.
• Liaise with colleagues in the country office, regional office and supply division to follow up on and resolve procurement and contracting issues raised by MENA country offices.  Support with Vision transactions as needed to expedite activities.

In-country logistics:

• Provide input to country offices logistics strategies as needed, including advising on infrastructure constraints (e.g. customs clearance, port capacity, transport options and warehousing capacity) and different delivery mechanisms.
• Liaise with supply colleagues as well as clients and using supply dashboards to ensure pipeline monitoring and establishment of appropriate logistics capacity. Monitor progress of offshore and/or regional procurement as needed to support country operations.
• Perform research, collect data and conduct analysis, produce reports and ensure information accuracy in corporate systems to enable informed decision-making.
• Provide support in the area of logistics, following standard processes and contributing, directly or indirectly, to the effective delivery of programme supplies. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to support logistics operations in MENA countries and contribute to effective service delivery.

Monitoring and Reporting 

• Preparing monitoring and reporting information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Regularly monitoring budgets and financial expenditures of section by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow up.
• Helping prepare periodic or ad-hoc reports relating to country office operations to inform management and support decision making.
• Monitoring and tracking the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery, as required.

Other duties/responsibilities:

• Supporting the section in researching, compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION pertaining to supply and logistics transactions, as and when required including on behalf of country offices.
• Supports capacity development activities related to supply and logistics by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.
• Support the MENARO supply and logistics section in daily administrative functions needed for effective operation and support to countries e.g. meeting/events scheduling and planning, travel planning and coordination etc.

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to supply chain, business administration, contract/commercial law, or another relevant technical field.

• Work Experience: A minimum of 6 years* of relevant administrative experience in supply chain management or a commercial context is required. Understanding development and humanitarian work is an advantage

*For this position, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field to the role i.e. Supply Chain, Business Administration, Contract/commercial law, or another relevant field may replace three years of related work experience and Masters’s degree will replace an additional two years of related work experience.

• 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.

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 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 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 male candidates and those with disabilities 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.

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.