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For every child, help.

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 officer 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 collaboration with programmes in defining supply interventions to 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.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1.Supply Chain service delivery and emergency response

2.Collaboration with programme and implementing partners

3. Technical, advisory support to government/national systems

4. Innovation, products and markets

1. Supply chain service delivery and emergency response

• In consultation with supervisor, provide input to Country Programme Action Plans and advice on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Participate in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the supply chain operations, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of products and services.

• Monitor and review supply spend and draft procurement strategies based on category management in order to focus on strategic, essential supplies and services that contribute to results for children. Conduct regional market assessments and support the establishment of regional long term agreements (LTAs) where relevant. Maintain and support countries to maintain the highest level of integrity, ethical standards and accountability in the procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction work.

• Monitor progress of offshore and/or regional procurement and take action to ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country. Support countries to maintain appropriate warehousing, inventory management and in-country transport in support of the country programme implementation. Keep stakeholders/partners informed on the progress. Implement appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews.

• 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.

• Participate in the development of an emergency supply & logistics strategy based on risk assessment analysis and Programme assumptions. Support to ensure an emergency supply and logistics preparedness action plan for the CO is established in line with Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCC) and implemented (establishment of relevant LTAs and frame agreements for emergency response, prepositioning of stock, and training of staff in the country office).

• Build strong working relations with operations and programme in the regional office and across MENA, and with Supply Division, to align with global and regional approaches and initiatives in supply chain management.

2.Collaboration with programme and implementing partners

•   In collaboration with supervisor, develop close collaboration with programme sections through involvement in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Support to establish accountability framework with programmes, for delivery of results for children.

•   Prepare supply documentation to facilitate input to donor dialogue, and support development of supply components of proposals to donors including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies, services and construction works, as needed.

•    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).

•    Participate in events/meetings that build partnerships and collaborative relations with Government, UN organizations and bilateral counterparts in supply and logistics activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement.

3. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems

•   Provide input to promoting of supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.

• Provide input to capacity development initiatives in the area of supply chains for children, in close collaboration with supervisor and programme colleagues. Support supply components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context.

• Prepare relevant supply reports to facilitate advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply solutions for children, such as use of procurement services; supply financing solutions; local market development; private sector engagement.

4.  Innovation, products and markets

•    Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with supervisor and Supply Division.

•    Support initiatives for 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.

• Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, support initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.

4. Innovation, products and markets

• Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with supervisor and Supply Division.
• Support initiatives for 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.
• Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, support initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant

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

The following minimum requirements:

Education: 

A university degree is required in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field.

Experience:

A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related technical fields is required.

Understanding of development and humanitarian work.

Experience in construction services contracts is an advantage.

Experience in supply chain data management and analysis is an advantage

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.

The following desirables:

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 Female Candidates 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.