Head of Procurement, Supply and Logistics Section

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Head of Procurement, Supply and Logistics Section reports to Chief, Central Support Services Division.

Responsibilities

- Leads the development of the procurement, supply, and logistics strategy; oversees the annual planning with different field offices and HQ divisions and advises on supply and procurement requirements for the annual work plans. Ensures appropriate planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the procurement, supply chain operations and monitors work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. Provides technical advice on specifications, supply and logistics arrangements, customs clearance, warehouse inventory management and distribution of supplies and equipment. - Leads the development of Supply and logistics dashboards and analyzes supply and procurement dashboards, implementing rates of key performance indicators and supply information/ data from various systems and conducts root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, with the view to drive improvements and ensures efficient and effective supply chains. Establishes internal control mechanisms and follows up operationally on progress of closure of different audit recommendations, and evaluations reports. - Develops the emergency supply and logistics strategy based on risk assessment analysis and operations and program assumptions. Ensures the emergency supply and logistics preparedness action plans are established (establishment of relevant LTAs and frame agreements for emergency response, prepositioning of stock, solutions, and strategies). Serves as focal point for the field offices for all supply logistics emergency related issues and conducts support missions to the field to support all supply logistics operations. - Develops and prepares complex contracts, issues tender invitations, evaluates responses to tender and makes recommendations for finalization of purchases and award of contracts; signs procurement orders up to the authorized limit and, in case the amount exceeds the authorized signature authority, prepares submissions to the Contracts Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official. Serves as a senior procurement and contracting expert with responsibility for the procurement of a wide variety of supplies and services associated with complex (technically and legally) contracts and procurement activities. Plans, develops, and manages the various procurement and contractual aspects of projects of diverse services and commodities (e.g., medicines, health related equipment, food, general services, vehicles, etc.). - Conducts research on supply and procurement chain initiatives with different stakeholders; identifies and recommends innovative approaches jointly with partners. Promotes innovative approaches and good practices on supply chain management within the organization to ensure effective and efficient supply chains. Contributes to the actual roll-out of new systems, products, and services, in close collaboration with field offices and HQ divisions. Represents the organization in different events and presents analysis and reports to senior management as required. - Provides operational support on fleet and fuel management to headquarters and field offices to ensure efficient use of resources and provide technical direction to staff in HQ and field offices in all fleet management issues. Develops tools to monitor and reduce fuel consumption. Addresses open audit recommendations and enhances compliance in fleet and fuel management in coordination with field offices. - Ensures compliance with the Inventory management policy and contributes to the development of dashboards for inventory management and monitoring key performance indicators. Assists with coordinating bi-annual stock-take and provides support to field offices. Acts as HQA chair of the survey boards for inventory, loss, impairments, write-offs related to inventory management and logistics. - Establishes and maintains operational capacity to handle supply chains and procurement, including staffing (appropriate staffing structure, timely recruitment, clarity of roles and responsibility). Supervises and coaches Procurement, Logistics and Supply Unit staff, ensures timely performance management of staff. - Conducts training to staff on supply and procurement emergency procedures and collaborates with Procurement, Supply and Logistics field colleagues to ensure that knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized to continuously build the capacity of staff.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Applying Technical Expertise Coping with Pressure and Setbacks Deciding and Initiating Action Leading and Supervising Delivering Results Managing Complexity and Change For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in Supply and Logistics management, procurement, business administration, public administration, or a related field.

Job - Specific Qualification

CIPS qualification is desirable.

Work Experience

At least eight years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in supply , logistics, procurement, contract management, supply chain or administration in the public or private sector, is required. At least five years of professional experience directly related to first-hand supply logistics and procurement preferably at the international level is required. Procurement experience in the provision of medicines and/or food commodities and/Supply Logistics is required. Knowledge of and skills in use of procurement, Supply and Logistics related functions in ERP and other related information management systems is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number, is required. Experience in providing support services to Field Offices under humanitarian, development, or conflict context is desirable. Experience in conducting logistics, Supply, and procurement at the international level for an intergovernmental organization, governmental organization, or a large multi-national organization is desirable. Emergency preparedness and response training, Emergency leadership certificates is desirable. CIPS qualification is desirable. Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in Supply and Logistics management, procurement, business administration, public administration, or a related field is required.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in Inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.