Senior Procurement Services and Financing Specialist (P-4), #102915, Geneva - Switzerland, ECARO

In line with the principle of deploying supply-related support close to where it is required, the position will be located in the Regional Office (RO) in close coordination with Supply Division Procurement Services Centre. Under the technical supervision of the Regional Chief of Operations and reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, this position will provide technical advice on supply-related issues as well as guidance, oversight and direction to the RO and all Country Offices within the Europe and Central Asia region on Procurement Services, including work related to national budgeting for essential supplies for children and supply financing solutions. Directly related to this support, the position will serve as focal point to identify opportunities on adjacent areas such as market access and national supply chain strengthening.

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,

Located in Geneva, Switzerland, the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (RO ECA) coordinates and supervises UNICEF’s work in 22 countries and entities to ensure that no child is left out in our efforts to realize their rights.

The Regional Office advocates at regional level for investment in children and for children-centred social policies. And we aim to develop regional partnerships for the achievements of the Millenium Development Goals and push for sustainable development beyond 2015.

Through the Regional Knowledge Management and Leadership Agenda, UNICEF is supporting governments to address common challenges across the region, to galvanize horizontal cooperation and mutual learning and to document impact level results for children in multiple countries which share a similar historical context.

UNICEF liaises with major international governmental bodies on regionwide children ‘issues such as the European Union, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe.

We provide technical support, policy guidance and oversight, and intellectual leadership on children's issues to the UNICEF Country Offices. We coordinate UNICEF's engagement in the UN Coherence process in the region, as well as support resource mobilization efforts for Country Offices.

The work of the Regional Advisors is organised around UNICEF’s key priorities in the region: Health and Nutrition, Children and AIDS, Basic Education and Gender Equality, Child Protection, and Emergency Preparedness and Response. A range of cross-cutting programmes support these priorities, including Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships for Children’s Rights, Communication for Development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation as well as IT, HR and Operations.

How can you make a difference?

In line with the principle of deploying supply-related support close to where it is required, the position will be located in the Regional Office (RO) in close coordination with Supply Division Procurement Services Centre. Under the technical supervision of the Regional Chief of Operations and reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, this position will provide technical advice on supply-related issues as well as guidance, oversight and direction to the RO and all Country Offices within the Europe and Central Asia region on Procurement Services, including work related to national budgeting for essential supplies for children and supply financing solutions. Directly related to this support, the position will serve as focal point to identify opportunities on adjacent areas such as market access and national supply chain strengthening.

The various functions will include:

1. Foster the strategic utilization of Procurement Services (PS) in the Region

a) Provides leadership, technical advice, support and strategic guidance on PS matters to country offices in the EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA (CEE/CIS) region, especially in the context of broader country transition from donor support to self-financing of supply purchases;

b) Provides input to Country offices on the potential of Procurement Services and related activities as part of the different phases of the Country Programme planning and implementation cycle;

c) Monitors PS activity in the Region and general market dynamics; identifies patterns and opportunities for collaboration.

2. Support COs as they engage in Procurement Services and Supply Financing Solutions

a) 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;

b) 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;

c) Facilitates the initiation and follow-through 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;

d) Identifies pre-financing needs and liaises with Supply Division to propose and develop viable solutions, including both internal and external;

e) 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.

3. Internal and External Awareness about Procurement Services

a) Increases understanding about Procurement Services amongst partners, including through participation in relevant workshops, conference and regional meetings;

b) Develops the capacity of Country Offices in PS matters, both in terms of operational implementation, as well as on the integration with Country programmes;

c) Facilitate sharing of knowledge on Supply and Procurement Services across countries in the Region.

4. Establish Linkages with Supply System Strengthening and Other Regional Priorities

a) 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;

b) Identifies opportunities for PS to serve as an entry point for new initiatives at Regional or sub-regional level (pooled procurement, harmonization, etc) that would require technical support and close follow up;

c) Explores other relevant avenues to facilitate countries’ access to markets and reduced prices.

5. Provide rapid and relevant responses and advice to evolving supply needs and situations facing children and families, including emergency situations, with a priority on achieving value for money.

a) Responsible for logistics/procurement planning through coordination with the Regional Operations Section, the Supply Division and with Country Offices in the region by providing technical advice on procurement specifications and supply administration as well as providing advice on supply requirements in the development of the supply component of the Region;

b) Participate in the Regional Office strategy planning and reviews to advice on supply/logistics requirements for the Annual Work Plans;

c) Interprets and advises the Regional office for Europe and Central Asia (CEE/CIS) and country offices on policies and procedures impacting on offshore and local procurement and delivery. Maintains links with Copenhagen on transnational shipments, deliveries, claims and appropriateness of supplies;

d) Monitor progress of offshore and/or regional procurement through regular contacts with the Action Office(s);

e) Communicates and reports quality issues with respect to supplies and/or service agreements;

Advice the Regional Office management and the respective Country Offices in the Region on best practices and processes to ensure maximum and efficient use of available supply/procurement and human resources.

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

• An Advanced University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management or related field. In lieu of masters degree additional 2 years of relevant experience can be considered.

• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience in public procurement management, supply chain management or related field, with 2-3 years’ experience working with humanitarian development.

• Fluency in English and working knowledge of Russian required.

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.