UNICEF seeks to recruit a temporary appointment, supply & Procurement specialist, P-3, Brazzaville, Congo

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 :

The Republic of Congo is at cross roads towards a huge transformation through learning and seizing the current economic and financial crisis to Build Back Better and accelerate child survival and development through improved health systems and immunization services. In December 2017, the Republic of Congo graduated from GAVI. Since then, substantive efforts and dialogue have continued between the Ministries of Health and Finance; parliamentarians; development partners including the UN, civil society and private sector, with the view to prioritise domestic resources to save lives through effective quality health systems and services. In this regard, UNICEF and other UN agencies including WHO and UNFPA have been playing a critical in strengthening evidence based advocacy to mobilize government to sustain commitments for children through prioritized domestic financial allocations to the social sector. These and other efforts have resulted in an increase of the Health national budget from 5% in 2017 to 13% in 2018.Â

Recently, in June 2018, the Minister of Health has signed with UNICEF a “Letter of Exchange” confirming its commitment to procure vaccines and essential medicines through UNICEF SD for the value of US$ 20 million.  This was an important and bold statement clearly demonstrating government’s leadership and political will to prioritise domestic resources to save lives, despite the severe financial and economic challenges facing the country.

To meet Government’s expectations, UNICEF Congo needs additional capacity for PS-related work and this why the CO is UNICEF is looking for a professional for the Supply and Procurement Specialist P3.

 

How can you make a difference?

The Supply and Logistics Specialist reports to the Operations Manager. He is responsible for managing Congo-Brazzaville country office supply chain in support of government’s robust efforts to strengthen health systems. 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. He/she provides technical and advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management, including capacity development :

• Provides technical advice, support and strategic guidance on procurement and contracting to government ;
• Provides leadership, technical advice, training, support and guidance to Programme section, on applications of supply related contracting procedures, regulations, systems and best practices ;
• Advises on appropriate, cost effective, timely and innovative supply and procurement approaches and systems to improve programme delivery and transparency. Support resolving complex supply and procurement related operational issues in problem areas ;
• Provides technical support and guidance the office to enhance the office capacity and knowledge in supply and procurement related strategies such as category management, market shaping, establishment of LTAs, procurement of services etc…;
• Contributes the development and delivery of supply and procurement related trainings of government counterparts ;
• Supports Country Office to establish and develop the contact with relevant government counterparts in respect of procurement planning for essential supplies for children. Provides advice on modalities of support, including but not limited to the provision of Procurement Services ;
• Assists Country Office to establish the necessary partnership frameworks to provide Procurement Services, including necessary risk assessment and mitigation. Provides advice to Country offices on the appropriate steps required to phase in the Procurement Services modality ;
• Facilitates the initiation of transactional activity by Country Office and oversees smooth implementation of PS support to partners. Coordinates communication with Supply Division and other stakeholders as required ;
• Identifies pre-financing needs and liaises with Supply Division to propose and develop viable solutions, including both internal and external ;
• Guides Country Office to proactively identify operational complexities related to PS engagement, such as in-country logistics, import requirements, compliance with regulatory frameworks, special documentation or issues of intellectual property rights.

 

Establish linkages with Supply System Strengthening and other Country Priorities :

• Supports Country Office to detect system and capacity gaps in any segments of the supply chain (including planning and supply financing) that may require technical assistance from SD. Liaises with Supply Division to identify most suitable type of support, including possible funding options ;
• Establishes linkages between PS and the development and resilience agenda. Contributes to emergency preparedness efforts in Country Office ;
• Supports Financing and Planning efforts with particular focus on selected commodities (Vaccines, RUTF, Education) ;
• Explores other relevant avenues to facilitate country’ access to markets and reduced prices.

 

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

• A Masters Degree in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field, or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is required ;
• A minimum of five (5) 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. Emergency experience an advantage. Health supply chain management experience an advantage ;
• Fluency in English & French required.  Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate :

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are :

• Leading and supervising (II) ;
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II) ;
• Analyzing (II) ;
• Applying technical expertise (II) ;
• Planning and Organizing (II) ;
• Relating and Networking (II) ;
• Coping with set-back and pressure(II).

View our competency framework at : http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 

Remarks :

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

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