Supply and Logistics Specialist

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in 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 are given opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination or, bias. 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. Therefore, the focus on equity and inclusion 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 Zimbabwe Vision 2030 is “working towards building a new Zimbabwe, a country with a thriving and open economy, capable of creating opportunities for investors and employment” .

The Zimbabwe Vision 2030 is “working towards building a new Zimbabwe, a country with a thriving and open economy, capable of creating opportunities for investors and employment”1. Section 75 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe 2013 provides that every citizen has a right to a basic state-funded education, including adult basic education, which means the basic education is supposed to be free to the user. The Education Amendment Act 2020 made landmark provisions based on the Constitution of Zimbabwe on the provision of State-funded basic education, retention in schools of girls who fall pregnant, abolition of corporal punishment and provision of sanitary wear to maximize girls’ attendance and participation. All this is in synchronize with Sustainable Development Goal 4 that
seeks to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all” as well as SGD 5 that seeks to achieve gender equality and empowerment for all
women and girls".

Overall, adolescent boys and girls in Zimbabwe are greatly challenged but the challenges are more compounded for girls, and these reduce their option in life and clearly in education. Problems faced by them include among other things, child marriages; where according to MICS (MICS, 2019) 1 in 3 (34%) women aged 20-24 were first married or in union before age 18; early pregnancies; lack of correct knowledge and resources to manage menstruation with dignity, limited access to comprehensive SRH information and services, gender based physical and sexual violence and sexual
exploitation. A key concern is the issue of teen pregnancies resulting in at least 6000 girls dropping out of school each year.

Data further shows that the highest proportions of male and female secondary school learners (45.59 percent, 26.99 percent, respectively) drop out of school on financial grounds. Data further shows that overall, the second major reason for girls’ dropout in both primary and secondary is marriage (17.14% and 11.63%) respectively. Learners with special needs especially girls are also dropping out of school thus increasing their vulnerability. In 2021, a total of 4.6% g and 0.96% girls with special needs dropped out of primary and secondary school respectively.

To ensure that no-one is left behind, the Zimbabwe education system provides for non-formal education. Non-formal education is not only for those who dropout, but it also provides a second chance education to children, youth and adults who have not been able to start school. This is a huge opportunity for girls and boys who drop out of school. EMIS 2021 data suggests that there are more girls than boys that enroll for non-formal education, which could be an indication that this is more flexible for learners who dropout especially due to pregnancy as they have an added role of being a mother. For primary level non-formal education there are 53 200 (21 290 males, 31 910 females) learners who were enrolled, and the total number of learners enrolled in non-formal education (NFE) at secondary level of education is 32 419 (14 434 males, 17 985 females).

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative Operations, the international volunteer, will be responsible for managing the supply chains of a medium sized country office, and/or small sized
emergency response operation, or elements of the supply chains of a larger supply operation. 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, and provides technical and advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply
chain management.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Deputy Representative Operations or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Supply and Logistics Specialist will:
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
• Supply Chain service delivery and emergency response
• Collaboration with programme and implementing partners
• Technical, advisory support to government/national systems
• Innovation, products and markets

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the
course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in
events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically
possible.

Results/expected outputs:
The ability of the Supply and Logistics Specialist to successfully plan, manage and oversee the effective and efficient supply chain management of goods, services and construction works for UNICEF
programmes and the Government, directly impact on program goals and results for children. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility of UNICEF as an effective and responsible
manager of funds entrusted to the organization and to furthering UNICEF image as a competent organization for delivering cost effective and sustainable program results for children.

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.
• Analyze supply plan 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 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.
• Analyze 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.

Collaboration with programme and implementing partners
• In collaboration with supervisor, develop close collaboration with programme sections through involvement in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Establish accountability framework with programmes, 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, services and construction works.
• 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.

Technical and advisory support to government/national systems
• Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Provide input to capacity development initiatives in the area of supply chains for children, in close collaboration with programme colleagues. Support supply components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context.
• Advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply solutions for children, such as use of procurement services; supply financing solutions; local market development; private sector engagement and supply chain systems strengthening of Country office and government national systems. Innovation, products and markets
• Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with Supply Division.
• 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, in collaboration with supervisor run initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.