Background

 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.


The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations. 

As a trusted, long-term partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund, GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management. Within the HHD Group, the Global Fund Partnership and Health Systems (GFP-HST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices implementing health and development programmes. 

In Afghanistan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient (PR) for the three diseases.  For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Afghanistan has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems. The GF resources are implemented in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the GF and in close coordination with the national partners, including NGOs, CSOs, communities, technical partners and UN entities, and the Local Fund Agent. 

The PSM Specialist works in close collaboration with the sub-recipients (SRs) of the Global Fund project, the operations and project teams in the PMU in ensuring successful implementation and oversight of GF activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The PSM Specialist reports directly to the Project Coordinator.

Ensures strategic leadership, programme planning, and effective management and oversight of Global Fund funded procurement and supply chain management activities for health products and for other commodities and services focusing on achieving the following results:

  • Ensures full compliance of procurement activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and strategies including elaboration of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system.
  • Ensures the GF procurement business processes mapping and elaboration/enhancement of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in procurement, control of the workflows in the PSM Unit, harmonization of the workflows in the PMU.
  • Conceptualizes, elaborates, and implements contract strategy for the GF funded procurement including tendering processes and evaluation, contractor appraisal, evaluation, and negotiation of offers, management of the contract and contractor, legal considerations and payment conditions, risk assessment.
  • Conceptualizes, elaborates, and implements the strategic procurement for GF funded non health commodities including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management, e-procurement introduction and promotion, performance measurement.
  • Leads substantive monitoring of procurement and supply chain for health products and proactively leads on reviews for underperformance, bottlenecks and ensures the accountability for the timely implementation of corrective actions to ensure timely supply of health products to achieve the grant programmatic objectives according to international standards. 
  • Collaborates with national authorities and other PSM partners on supply planning and quantification processes for health products, stock and consumption monitoring and all other aspects related to supply chain management.   
  • In coordination with the Project Coordinator, manages the procurement and supply chain team to ensure UNDP is resourced to deliver its commitments, fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and builds the technical, managerial and leadership capacity of staff for promotion of organizational excellence.
  • Ensures strong collaboration with UNDP regional and headquarters, GFP-HST, etc. towards implementing efficiently procurement and supply chain management activities for health products and achieving the programmatic objectives of the grant.

Ensures proactive and efficient procurement and health product management, oversight, and a robust risk management approach for the GF project, focusing on achieving the following results:

  • Leads on the timely preparation and implementation of quality procurement and supply chain management documents and reports required by the donor, including procurement and supply management plans, and quality control plans.
  • Supports the Project Coordinator in the negotiation of grant agreements and timely reprogramming requests and identification of cost savings.
  • Establishes and implements proper monitoring system and control of procurement processes including organization of tender documents, receipt and evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations and according to established and up to date SOPs.
  • Elaborates and implements the internal control system which ensures that Purchase Orders (PO) are duly prepared, approved in Quantum and dispatched. Ensures timely corrective actions on POs with budget check errors and other problems.
  • Supports the Project Coordinator in the preparation of audits in procurement and supply chain, including quality control activities, reviews audits document and contributes to the development of recommendations related to PSM and ensures timely implementation and regular reporting as required of agreed audits recommendations.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts, focusing on achieving the following results:

  • Leads on the coordination, building strategic partnerships and maintains strong working relationships with the national programmes, programme implementers, national stakeholders, technical partners, and UN entities to ensure transparent and effective procurement and supply chain management of health products and equipment.
  • Supports the national procurement planning processes (including quantification) for the programmes based on evidence gained during implementation of the programmes.
  • Maintains close coordination between the programmes and other health and development initiatives in the country, to promote partnership building and avoid duplication of procurement and supply chain management of health products activities and to exchange critical and technical information and resolve implementation issues.
  • Leads on the engagement with the Global Fund PSM Specialist and develops a strong professional relationship based upon mutual trust and respect and support during missions.
  • Leads on developing funding requests to complement UNDP’s PR role with other health and development activities and the development of project documents and initiation of the programmes in the context of procurement and supply chain management of health products, including logistical management information systems, waste management etc.

Ensures provision of strategic policy advice and technical guidance in the context of procurement and supply chain management, focusing on achieving the following results: 

  • Provides strategic policy and technical advice to the national stakeholders, implementing partners at all stages of the PSM cycle and to the last mile. 
  • Participates in meetings and technical committees of the national disease programmes, coordinating mechanism such as technical steering committee, as required.
  • Leads the development and/or review of tools, processes and systems for the planning, management and monitoring of procurement activities to meet Sub-Recipients’ needs and UNDP’s deliverables vis-à-vis the Global Fund.
  • Oversees the preparation of procurement related documents, including contracts, communications, guidelines, instructions etc.
  • Oversees adherence to contractual agreements, recommends amendments and contract extensions, advise concerned parties with respect to contractual rights/obligations.

Ensures development and implementation of sustainable PSM related system strengthening activities, in the area of logistic information system, storage and distribution systems and regulatory services for health products and capacity building, focusing on achieving the following results: 

  • Leads on the engagement with the national partners, implementing partners, UN entities, donor and technical partners to strengthen national systems and health institutions, in the area of procurement and supply management, medicines regulations and medical laboratory services, including logistic information system, sustainable and optimized procurement storage, distribution and waste management systems and services for health products, developing, monitoring and amending improvement plans.
  • Leads on the engagement with national partners and oversees the development of capacity development strategies to support national entities in pharmaceutical management, procurement, and supply chain management, including logistic information system, sustainable storage and distribution systems and services for health products and ensuring access to appropriate tools and resources ensuring coordination with other donor initiatives.
  • Ensures Sub-recipients are well advised on procurement issues throughout the grant life cycle to ensure procurement plans are adequately scheduled, budgeted, and comply with contracts and is in line with UNDP rules, policies and procedures.
  • Identifies and supports development of communications (print, video) highlighting key programme achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt and contributes to information sharing with the national partners, implementing partners, CSOs, UN entities, financial and technical partners, the GF. 
  • Actively participates in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote the programmes and UNDP’s health and development work (e.g., conferences, community of practice) and represents UNDP in relevant technical meetings, working groups at country, regional and global level and gathers lessons learnt to apply to the programmes in procurement and supply chain management.
Competencies

Core competencies:
  • Achieve Results LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
  • Think Innovatively LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
  • Learn Continuously LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences 
  • Adapt with Agility LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
  • Act with Determination LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
  • Engage and Partner LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity. 

People Management competencies:  

  • UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

2030 Agenda: People – Health: 

  • Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM)
  • Procurement services for PPE and laboratory equipment for national COVID-19 responses
  • Procurement services of health products
  • National Strategic Plan / Policy for health

Business Management    

  • Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience  
  • Communication: Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
  • Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Direction & Strategy     

  • System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Required Skills and Experience

 Education:
  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in n Public Health, Pharmacy, Procurement, Supply Management, Business Administration, related field is required, or 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • CIPS level 4 or equivalent is mandatory, CIPS level above 4 is an asset.

Experience:

  • Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in procurement management.
  • Understanding and practical experience of issues related to procurement and supply chain management of health products and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations. 
  • Prior experience working with international and national organizations (UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs) and government partners.
  • Excellent communication and reporting skills.
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP.
  • Demonstrated experience in procurement and supply chain management policies and procedures of health products.
  • Knowledge of Global Fund policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrated experience in partnership building or strengthening. 
  • Prior UNDP experience and familiarity with its policies and procedures, particularly in the applicable job area, is an added advantage.

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Fluency in the local language of duty station Dari and/or Pashto, is required.
Travel:
  • The PSM Specialist is required to make travels to the provinces/regions for field visits.
Disclaimer

 

 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

 
Scam warning

 
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.