Chief, Supply Chain Management Unit

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Supply Chain and Procurement Section, Executive Office, in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Geneva, Switzerland. OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions

The Chief of Supply Chain Management Unit is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the supply chain support services, comprising procurement, logistical and asset management for OCHA field offices and Headquarters. The Chief of Supply Chain Management Unit reports to the Chief of the Supply Chain and Asset Management.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority the Chief of Unit for Supply Chain Management is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the supply chain support services, including procurement of goods and services, logistics support and asset management. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Provides effective and timely planning, oversight, management and coordination of supply chain and services support operations.
• Integrates and monitors the implementation of supply chain and services support plans at all field locations.
• Liaises between field locations and Headquarters staff on field supply chain and service matters and coordinates day-to-day support of supply chain and services operations.
• Plans and coordinates supply chain and services support to new, sustaining, expanding, contracting and liquidating field offices.
• Manages the Headquarters and the field supply chain and services operation.
• Undertakes detailed research and develops formal submissions/recommendations to senior management with respect to issues involving supply chain and services contract claims.
• Manages review of market research and best practices in contract development, identifies areas for improvement, trains staff and adapts such practices to OCHA requirements.
• Develops, reviews, evaluates and upgrades policy and procedures for use by headquarters and field supply chain and services staff.
• Authorizes and coordinates requirements for commercial procurement.
• Provides technical advice on procurement activities to officials of OCHA field offices and the Headquarters substantive units during all phases of the procurement cycle.
• Guides Requesting and Requisitioning Office on the acquisition planning.
• Coordinates meetings with relevant parties to find resolutions on complex procurement cases, including with the UN Procurement Group in NY, Geneva, OAHs, peacekeeping missions; and with the UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes (UNAFPs), in particular on the MOUs between OCHA and the UNAFPs; and with the Legal Offices concerned.
• Coordinates the periodic training of supply chains to OCHA field admin offices, including the preparation and/or updating of the training material. Carry out consultation or training missions to the field.
• Manages allocation and control of all equipment and stores received, stored and distributed by field offices.
• Supervises the team members responsible for the logistical support and asset management; ensures OCHA’s Fixed Assets and Equipment are properly managed, recorded and reported at the end of the year closing.
• Prepares reports, correspondence, analysis and other documents, as required, in connection to procurement and logistical activities.
• May perform other related work as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of supply chain management, ranging from internationally recognized procurement standards to the asset management. Ability to apply technical expertise to resolve a range of issues/problems. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.


COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.


PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.


MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES:

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff Appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, commerce, engineering, law or a related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain management, asset management, administration or related area is required.
Four (4) years of recent field experience in the areas of requisition, asset management, logistics and procurement is required.
Experience in using a supply chain enterprise resources planning system (such as UMOJA) is desirable.
Experience in United Nations procurement is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is also desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-general and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations 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. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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 DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.