Contracts Specialist, (P-3), Fixed Term, Amman, Jordan

Under the supervision of the Supply and Logistics Manager, the contracts Specialist will manage contracting for services of complex nature and impact under an emergency setup requiring strong professional technical expertise in support of operations and Programme.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

Purpose of the job

Under the supervision of the Supply and Logistics Manager, the contracts Specialist will manage contracting for services of complex nature and impact under an emergency setup requiring strong professional technical expertise in support of operations and Programme. The incumbent will be accountable for effective planning, contracting, procurement and monitoring of all service contracts for the Country Programme including its response to the Humanitarian Crisis (Syria Response).

How can you make a difference?

1. Provide rapid and relevant procurement support and guidance, with a priority on achieving value for money, to internal customers from Country Office

• Establish close collaboration with programme sections through involvement in programme 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.
• Analyze supply spend and establish procurement strategies based on category management in order to focus on strategic, essential supplies and services that contribute to results for children, including establishment of long term agreements (LTAs) where relevant
• Provide continuous and updated guidance on procurement for Services activities to all internal customers as required, and advise on the most appropriate procurement strategy.
• Support procurement planning through coordination with internal customers. Provide technical support in preparation of appropriate documents, and input on specifications, in particular on procurement of fundraising services, facilitating cost-effective and efficient procurement.
• Provide proactive procurement support, review ongoing and future procurement requirements.
• Collaborate efficiently and effectively with all members of the procurement team in order to maximize the outputs of the team and achieve the unit’s objectives.
• Ensure appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews are established and applied.
• 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.

2. Develop tender strategies, with a goal to achieve best value for money in contracting for goods and services for the organization.

• Compile lists of possible sources of procurement.
• Prepare and issue international tenders, manage 2-stage RFP evaluation process and tabulate results in a comparison matrix. Manage bidding processes using UNICEF web tendering tool, and orienting service providers/suppliers on the use of the tool.
• Prepare Contracts Review Committee (CRC) submissions for orders above the CRC threshold and present the cases to the CRC committee for review and approval.
• Develop and prepare complex contracts for procurement of both once-off and long-term requirements for routine and non-routine services.
• Effectively manage ongoing long term contracts for provision of goods and services to ensure that service provider/supplier’s performance is within stated service levels.
• Proactively initiate renewal of contracts before their expiry.
• Assist in the identification of new service providers/suppliers.
• Carry out other procurement related tasks as requested by the Supply and Logistics Manager.

3. Secure compliance with established UNICEF Financial rules & regulations to maintain the highest level of integrity, standards and accountability.

• Ensure a procurement plan is prepared and updated for each Section.
• Ensure that contracts are in place as a result of competitive bidding exercises, in a timely manner and in accordance with UNICEF Financial rules & regulations and procurement guidelines and processes.
• Maintain effective working relations and contact with the Supply Division, Copenhagen, to confer on procurement policies and procedures. Advise the internal customers on policies and procedures. 

4. Ensure that effective support to UNICEF and Government capacity-building efforts are provided in order to enhance efficient, effective and timely supply delivery, 

• Plan, design and conduct training for UNICEF's staff/consultants and counterparts in supply management, customs clearance, distribution and inventory management of supplies and equipment in order to maximize supply delivery.
• Provide effective coaching to the staff/consultants as required.
• Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• 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  

5. Ensure that effective support to UNICEF and Government capacity-building efforts are provided in order to enhance efficient, effective and timely supply delivery, 

• Plan, design and conduct training for UNICEF's staff/consultants and counterparts in supply management, customs clearance, distribution and inventory management of supplies and equipment in order to maximize supply delivery.
• Provide effective coaching to the staff/consultants as required.
• Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• 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 

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

• Education: Advanced university 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 first level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with seven (7) years of relevant work experience in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related technical field, may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Experience: 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.
• Language requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.  

For every Child, you demonstrate…

1. Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
2. Functional Competencies: 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)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Remarks: 

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.