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Supply Specialist Procurement Services, (P-3), ESARO, Nairobi, Kenya, #103098

Nairobi

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Nairobi
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Logistics
    • Procurement
    • Supply Chain
  • Closing Date: Closed

Under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Supply & Procurement, the incumbent will provide guidance, oversight and direction to the Regional Office and all country offices within ESAR (with particular focus on BNLSS-A sub region) on Procurement Services, including work related to national budgeting for essential supplies for children and supply financing solutions. The incumbent will support the development and implementation of country led Procurement Service strategies including with focus on introduction of appropriate financial tools and establishment of linkages to broader national supply chain management (SCM) strategies. This would include direct provision and mobilization of technical support and facilitation of south to south exchanges between countries, working with partners and counterparts to share experiences, lessons learned and good practices rolling out Procurement Service strategies. Additionally, directly related to this support, the position will identify opportunities on adjacent areas such as market access and national supply chain strengthening and liaise with colleagues to maximize institutional leverage.

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.

For every child, hope

Under the supervision of the Regional  Chief of Supply & Procurement, the incumbent will provide guidance, oversight and direction to the Regional Office and all country offices within ESAR (with particular focus on BNLSS-A sub region) on Procurement Services, including work related to national budgeting for essential supplies for children and supply financing solutions. The incumbent will support the development and implementation of country led Procurement Service strategies including with focus on introduction of appropriate financial tools and establishment of linkages to broader national supply chain management (SCM) strategies. This would include direct provision and mobilization of technical support and facilitation of south to south exchanges between countries, working with partners and counterparts to share experiences, lessons learned and good practices rolling out Procurement Service strategies. Additionally, directly related to this support, the position will identify opportunities on adjacent areas such as market access and national supply chain strengthening and liaise with colleagues to maximize institutional leverage.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance and leadership of the Chief of Supply, ESARO and in close collaboration with the Procurement Service Centre in Supply Division:

Foster the strategic utilization of PS in the region

• Provides technical advice, support and strategic guidance on PS matters to country offices in the Eastern and Southern Africa region, with specific focus on countries in the BNLSS-A and Eastern Africa sub-regions.
• Monitors PS activity in the region and general market dynamics; identifies patterns and opportunities for collaboration
• Develop and maintain strategic frameworks in collaboration with Country Offices for the identification, planning and implementation of procurement services projects. Ensure appropriate linkage of the PS engagement with Country Programme results frameworks and workplans. 

Support COs as they engage in Procurement Services

• Supports Country Offices 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 Offices 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.
• Provide assistance and technical support to Country Offices, government and partners in respect to specific Procurement Service modalities and procurement planning for products to be procured from SD. Liaise with UNICEF Programme staff on Procurement Services issues relevant to their area of work and promote Procurement Services with their govt partners.
• Facilitates the initiation of transactional activity by Country Offices and oversees smooth implementation of PS support to partners. Coordinates communication with Supply Division and other stakeholders as required.
• In collaboration with the ESARO EPI team, closely monitor Gavi funded vaccine procurement managed by UNICEF in key countries to ensure timely processing of annual co-financing obligations. Provide advice and facilitate training on links and synergies for Cold Chain logistics and Vaccine Management with the procurement and supply management of routine immunization and, where appropriate, other essential health commodities.
• Work with Country Offices and government partners to address financial issues constraining an effective and timely procurement process. This would include advocacy for and mobilization of national budget lines for essential supplies as well introduction of commercial bridge financing tools as feasible.  
• Identifies pre-financing needs and liaises with Supply Division to propose and develop viable solutions, including both internal and external.
• Guides Country Offices to proactively identify operational complexities related to PS engagement, such as import requirements, compliance with regulatory frameworks, special documentation or issues of intellectual property rights.

Internal and External awareness about Procurement Services

• Increases understanding about Procurement Services amongst partners, including through participation in relevant workshops, conference and regional meetings.
• Advocate for UNICEF Procurement Services in ESAR and particular in the Southern part of the region and engage with potential new PS partners on how UNICEF can provide procurement assistance for their projects and programmes.
• Develops the capacity of Country Offices in PS matters, both in terms of operational implementation, as well as on the integration with Country programmes.
• Facilitate sharing of knowledge across countries in the region

Establish linkages with supply system strengthening and other regional priorities

• Acting as focal point, work with regional and country teams to mobilize technical assistance to national systems to meet minimum required standards. Ensure that, while providing Procurement Services, UNICEF contributes to capacity development of the relevant government entities responsible for different segments of the supply chain, both at central and subnational level.
• Supports Country Offices to detect system and capacity gaps in any segments of the supply chain (including planning and supply financing) that may require technical assistance from UNICEF. Liaises with Supply Division to identify most suitable type of support, including possible funding options
• Establish linkages between PS and the development and resilience agenda by capitalizing on efforts linked to Nutrition sector
• Explores other relevant avenues to facilitate countries’ access to markets and reduced prices
• Upon request, participate and advise in the process to prepare ToRs, identify, select and evaluate candidates and/or companies for the implementation of supply chain capacity development activities as required.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) in the area of supply chain management, business, social science, public health, financing or other related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in procurement and supply chain management
• Proven conceptual understanding of and strong practical experience with applying system strengthening principles preferably in the area of procurement or financing.
• Proven experience working with developing country governments
• Experience in humanitarian assistance and development programmes, and a mix of field and regional or headquarters postings are advantageous.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

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

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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