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.

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For every child, future

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The position will lead UNICEF’s supply chain strengthening efforts to improve equitable access to essential supplies for children through national supply chains. Reporting to the Regional Chief of Supply, ROSA, in collaboration with Supply Division SCSC team and the ROSA experts working on strengthening national systems and supply chains, the position will be the interface with countries for implementing ROSA Supply Chain Strengthening vision and strategy by supporting COs in the development and implementation of SCS initiatives and projects; relaying UNICEF global SCS initiatives in the region; coordinating with other UNICEF sectors and centers, UN agencies and other technical and financial partners on supply chain strengthening related matters.

The individual will coordinate ROSA support to SAR countries related to their national supply chain strengthening strategies and implementation and be the main interlocuter of UNICEF Programmes and Supply division in this area. Specifically, the position will focus on supporting country offices and governments for the assessment and implementation of action plans and initiatives contributing to establishing robust and resilient national supply chains, in the sectors relevant for UNICEF programmatic objectives. Implementation will be done through country offices, in partnership with governments, the private sector, and development partners, in close coordination with RO programmes. In supporting regional and country offices, the position will provide leadership in the development of national supply chain strengthening strategies. Produce/update and deploy needs assessment guidance and tools. Lead supply chain technical strengthening assistance support to countries and regional office programmes. Facilitate coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders including governments and technical partners. Establish partnerships with the private sector. Generate evidence of UNICEF contributions to increased access to essential supplies through robust and resilient national supply chains.

How can you make a difference?

The incumbent will use their technical knowledge and specialized expertise to support South Asia country offices in collaboration with internal UNICEF partners (Country Offices including Programme sections, senior management, Supply Division, Programme Division, and other regional offices) and all relevant external partners (Governments, other UN agencies, donors, etc.) to develop Supply Chain Systems Strengthening (SCSS) strategies, and support in the implementation and scale-up of associated initiatives, to achieve the following:

1. Lead the Supply Chain Systems Strengthening for South Asia countries, including providing input into strategic direction, advocacy, and technical advice, enabling programmatic results in SAR.
2. Assist in the oversight and development of potential partnerships and donor engagements, related to Procurement Services and Supply Chain Systems Strengthening.
3. Lead in building capacity at the CO level of staff to implement supply chain strengthening initiatives, facilitating the development and dissemination of national supply chain strengthening strategies, guidance, and tools.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Provides Strategic and technical support to UNICEF Country offices.

• In collaboration with UNICEF ROSA Programmes and Supply Division, provide technical leadership for driving efforts for establishing robust and resilient national supply chains in areas that are critical for delivering UNICEF programmatic results. Contribute to or represent UNICEF in global and regional supply chains.
• Lead the development and implementation of national chain strategies and policies that steer in-country supply chain efforts, engage with high-level government counterparts, and recommend strategies and approaches to achieve measurable improvements in overall SCSS maturity, performance, and delivery.
• Engage with ROSA programme teams for identifying programmatic priorities requiring robust national supply chains and define a joint strategy and road map for strengthening national capacities in areas where UNICEF has an interest or comparative advantages. Establish collaborations with HQs, financial and technical partners, and partnerships for both supporting and complementing ROSA efforts.
• Establish technical and operational capacity at the RO level for supporting supply chain system strengthening initiatives in priority areas (to be defined), through technical expertise and fund mobilisation. Engage with COs and relevant national counterparts and stakeholders for strengthening national capacities in the defined priority areas, or for relaying global supply chain system strengthening initiatives. Coordinate requests for country support on supply chain system strengthening and provide adequate guidance, technical support, and oversight.
• Adopt a risk management approach to anticipate and mitigate programmatic, financial, and reputational risks which could result in weak national supply chains or UNICEF not meeting partners’ expectations of delivering assistance in this area. Specific attention and support should be given to countries in an emergency, where national supply chain resilience to shocks is critical for continuing to deliver programme results.
• Related to SCSS, support conceptualisation, and piloting of products, systems, and process innovation and lead scale-up of viable products, systems, and process innovations.
• Participate in field missions for specific technical assistance when required.

2. Development of partnerships and donor engagements

• Contribute to or represent UNICEF in global and regional supply chain strengthening initiatives, groups, and partnerships.
• Provide technical advise and support to South Asia country offices in the identification, oversight, and development of Procurement Service (PS) partnerships, ensuring SCSS is closely linked to these partnership relationships.
• Identification and development of potential fund-raising avenues to provide a sustainable level of funding for SCSS activities for governments within South Asia and to represent UNICEF in donor and IFI engagements on SCSS.
• Development partnerships with other key organisations (People that Deliver, UN agencies, etc) to support the collaboration of initiatives and efficiency of engagements through the South Asia countries.

3. Capacity building of UNICEF Country office staff

• Provide technical oversight and support to develop regional and country office capacity in SCSS knowledge, experience, and best practices.
• Lead in the documentation or publication of empirical case studies, best practices, and lessons learned, related to implementation of SCSS strategies and initiatives.
• Led in the designing, planning, and organizing of SCSS-related training programmes and knowledge-sharing events with UNICEF staff, and external partners including governments, UN agencies, and other partners.
• Develop and deploy guidance and tools for national supply chain strengthening including (but not limited to) maturity assessments, supply chain design, and planning, systems optimization; HR and capacity building, operations management (procurement, in-country logistics, and service delivery), mobilisation, deployment, maintenance and decommissioning of equipment’s, digitalization.
• Maintain data and information on supply chain strengthening initiatives in ROSA and generate evidence of supply chain strengthening initiatives contributing to programmatic results.

4. Innovation, products, and markets

• Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with Supply Division and COs.
• 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 the analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, support initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.
• Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

Education:

Advanced university degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics Management, Health Systems, or a related field.

*A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with ten (10) years of relevant work experience in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration, and/or other directly related technical field, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• Minimum eight (8) years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in a professional capacity in supply chain management in the public sector, with experience in the use of evidence-based methods to identify supply chain gaps, develop strategies to address these, implement supply chain strengthening activities working with a broad range of in-country health systems partners and document evidence from implementing these activities.
• Strong experience with equitable access approaches in development programming.
• Two years of international developing country work experience in the relevant field area.
• Familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset.
• Demonstrable experience with global, regional, and national partner coordination and collaboration, including with ministries of health/government.
• Professional experience in humanitarian emergencies is preferred.
• Professional experience in working directly with governments and other high-level external partners is preferred (Development Banks, donors, other UN agencies, etc).

Technical Knowledge

• Knowledge and experience in leading SCSS in developing countries
• Technical experience in all elements of the supply chain including from forecasting, to monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience of national supply chain systems needs assessment and planning, addressing supply chain bottlenecks, programming, and implementation of supply strengthening initiatives.
• Good understanding of information systems and how to undertake data analysis to provide informed decision-making using data.
• Ability to write reports and prepare presentations for both high-level and technical audiences.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, French, Chinese, 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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

Functional Competencies

(1) Analysing (2) Applying technical expertise (3) Planning and Organizing

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 candidates are encouraged to apply.

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

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.

[CO/ HQ specific: visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

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.

To be eligible for the position, nationals should possess two (2) years of international work experience gained outside of the country of nationality.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.