Supply and Logistics Officer

Supply & Logistics Officer, NOB, Fixed Term, Kathmandu, Nepal, #124118 (Open to Nepal nationals only)

Job no: 567788
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Duty Station: Kathmandu
Level: NO-2
Location: Nepal
Categories: Supply Management, Operations

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.

For every child, a future

How can you make a difference?

The Supply and Logistics Officer, is responsible for coordinating, leveraging, and channeling UNICEF’s supply chain systems strengthening technical assistance under the guidance of Supply & Logistics Specialist. The supply chain technical assistance encompasses planning, procurement, contracting, customs clearance, warehousing, in country transport and distribution, as well as monitoring of supplies funded through procurement services mechanism, especially in the health (e.g., vaccines, medical supplies, nutraceuticals, etc.) and for other supply & logistics area as and when required.

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.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Supply Chain Service Delivery and Emergency response

• In consultation with supervisor, provide input to the Country Programme Action Planning and advice on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Ensure appropriate 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.
• Analyse supply spend and develop 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.
• Ensure effective procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction works, while maintaining the highest level of integrity, ethical standards, and accountability.
• Ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country. Ensure appropriate warehousing, inventory management and in-country transport in support of the country programme implementation.
• Ensure appropriate vendor management practices e.g., supply performance reviews are established and applied.
• Analyse 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.
• In consultation with supervisor, develop an emergency supply & logistics strategy based on risk assessment analysis and Programme assumptions. 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).
• Participate in high level emergency coordination, implementation and monitoring meetings with internal and external partners and establish close collaboration with Logistics Cluster/National Logistics Working Group if such is activated/existing.
• In collaboration with supervisor, establish strong working relations with Regional Chiefs of Supply/Regional Chief of Operations, as well as Supply Division, to align with global and regional approaches and initiatives in supply chain management.

2. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems

• Promote/drive supply chain system strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children, adolescents, women, and men.
• Provide input to capacity development initiatives around health sector supply chain management, and health systems strengthening, in close collaboration with health sector supply chain partners, NCO supply team, UNICEF regional supply team, and SD supply chain strengthening centre.
• Advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply solutions for children, adolescents, and women such as use of procurement services; supply financing solutions; local market development; private sector engagement.

3. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners

• In collaboration with supervisor, develop close collaboration with supply and operations sections through involvement in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply chain systems strengthening functions management, monitoring, and evaluation. Establish accountability framework with programmes, and operations for delivery of results for children.
• Provide supply input to donor dialogue, and support development of supply components of proposals to donors including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies and services.
• 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 supply and logistics activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement.

4. Capacity Building of the Logistics team

• Prepare the annual work plan for the capacity development of Logistics teams at UNICEF; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• In collaboration with Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the teams.

5. Innovation, products and markets

• Contribute to pilots for last-mile programme delivery especially in health supplies and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with supervisor and Supply Division and relevant centres.
• 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…

• University degree is required in Supply Chain, Management, Logistics, International Development, business or public administration, or related recognized qualification in Supply and Logistics.
• A University degree or higher professional recognized qualification in Pharmacy will be an added advantage.
• Advanced university degree in relevant field of study, an asset.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in public sector supply chain management and systems strengthening functions including setting-up of logistics, procurement, and contracting systems, and/or other directly related technical fields.
• Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) and Health sector supply chain management experience, an asset.
• International level professional experience, an asset.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
• Fluency in English (both oral and writing) and Nepali language is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN 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

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.

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 candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

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.

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

Deadline: 07 Jan 2024 Nepal Standard Time