Head of Unit (Emer Supply)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Head of Unit (Emergency Supply)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
In view of the increased emergency preparedness and response needs, for both refugee and IDP situations, in the context of complex humanitarian operations where UNHCR¿s leadership and coordination role is increasingly important, UNHCR¿s emergency capabilities have been adjusted and reinforced in keeping with today¿s emergency environments.  The Community-Based Protection approach, the new Refugee Coordination Model, and UNHCR¿s commitments under the IASC Transformative Agenda and L2/L3 emergency protocols underpin the Organization¿s emergency coordination, preparedness and response.

In order to keep abreast with these new challenges, the Supply Management and Logistics Service (SMLS) under the Division of Emergency, Security and Supply (DESS) reviewed its emergency response capacities and enhanced its emergency unit with a view to contribute to building a more robust and predictable emergency response and organizational preparedness based on effective leadership and coordination at senior level.

The incumbent will be based in Budapest and together with two G6, Supply Chain Associates (Roving) will form part of one of the Emergency Standby Teams (Contingency and Preparedness)  based and coordinated from the Emergency Services in DESS Geneva. The members in the Emergency Standby Teams are on permanent standby for emergency deployment.  The Head of the Emergency Supply Unit will be deployed with the team, or individually, to prepare and respond to refugee and/or IDP emergencies and provide coordination and operational support to the UNHCR Representative in the country or region, who will continue to manage the relations with the host government and oversee the operation. When not deployed the incumbent will support the coordination of emergency supply response being provided by Supply Management and Logistics Service and Procurement Management and Contracting Service.

With the guidance of the Principal Emergency Coordinator, the incumbent will work closely with the Regional Bureaux and familiarise him/herself with the operations in their region through field missions and will carry out capacity building and emergency simulation activities in the region and support emergency supply training activities, as required.  In an IDP operation where the cluster approach is activated, the incumbent may assist the Senior Emergency Coordinator in the coordination of the supply cluster at national/regional level.

While reporting directly to the to the Chief of Supply Operational Support Section of SMLS, the incumbent will retain dotted reporting lines to the Principal Emergency Coordinator (Contingency and Preparedness) of the Emergency Services in DESS Geneva.  When deployed on an emergency, the incumbent will receive specific ToRs for the mission, including reporting lines during the deployment.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- UNHCR has an effective and efficient local supply chain that enables the country operation to meet the needs of Persons of Concern by delivering quality goods and services from the onset of an emergency situation.
- Effective coordination is ensured with SMLS and PMCS for the use of Global Stocks in support of emergency operations and effective supply coordination with international and local players on supply activities contributes to maximized use of resources.
- Complementarity with other UN agencies and organizations on supply activities is ensured.
- UNHCR's country operation has a robust modus operandi for supply interventions that support delivery of protection and assistance by UNHCR and its partners to Persons of Concern.
- UNHCR's country operation has effective and efficient supply partners to support supply interventions.
- The supply chain in emergency operation is optimised and aligned with the evolving needs and management taking into account local and regionally available supply infrastructure.
- Effective support for emergency preparedness and contingency planning, including supply capacity building provided to emergency operations and Bureaux at HQs.
- Supply-related lessons learnt from emergency missions are systematized and disseminated for future preventive actions.

Responsibility
- In the event of an emergency, be ready for deployment within 72 hours. 
- Develop a result based supply chain strategy and plans for immediate, medium term and protracted emergency interventions (as appropriate) as well as supply structure in accordance with the global and operational priorities integrated in the country operations plan.
- Provide guidance and advice to establishing/revising the composition of the supply functions and workforce of the emergency operation.
- Evaluate the feasibility of partners for supply chain projects based on objectives, priorities, strengths and resources of the implementing partner and/or contractor, according to criteria consistent with UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Prepare implementation plan for timely delivery of relief items/services according to UNHCR's operational requirements.
- Plan and develop an effective procurement strategy taking into account the procurement of important commodities and services in advance and monitor its effectiveness.
- Coordinate the work of the supply unit and partners so as to achieve the operational objectives and targets in a timely and cost-effective manner as well as prevailing UNHCR's rules and regulations.
- Provide supply inputs and take part in development of country contingency plans.
- Implement supply projects in RBM fashion to improve supply performance and monitor the project execution against the plans and take action when actual implementation deviates from plans.
- Implement appropriate management tools to overcome operational supply difficulties and bottlenecks and strive to apply innovative solutions.
- Coordinate and support emergency supply chain activities, including planning, sourcing, transport, shipping, customs clearance, warehousing, asset and fleet management in the operation.
- Maintain an up-to-date overview of UNHCR's region level supply chain capacity and preparedness, as well as, that of its partners to ensure that adequate capacity exist also to cover emergencies.
- Sustain the supply chain's capacity throughout an emergency and ensure an efficient flow of relief items to the persons of concern. Rapidly respond to changing needs and quickly reallocate resources when required.
- Coordinate and support the emergency procurement process to ensure timely, cost-effective and adequate delivery of commodities and services to support operational needs.
- Implement effective asset and fleet management that regularly monitors the asset/fleet pool, saves cost and safeguards the investment of the organisation.
- Coordinate the analysis of quality of commodities and services delivered in relation to the emergency needs of the operation and established quality standards.
- Apply distribution control techniques to optimise stock levels and ensure effective liaising with SMLS and PMCS on timely delivery of supply support to emergency operations.
- Ensure effective information flow in the supply chain and adapt process and documents to the prevailing environment.
- Monitor the quality and accuracy of supply chain related data in relevant business systems.
- Compile and analyse statistical information, identify trends and developments in supply chain related matters that will assist in decision making.
- Build the supply capacity of national and local government, partners and civil society through supply training.
- Ensure timely, accurate, systematized and analytical reporting on supply interventions and regular sharing of this information with the appropriate stakeholders/fora.
- Undertake assessment and preparedness planning missions in conjunction with relevant Bureaux and Divisions, in order to determine and guide appropriate protection interventions before the emergency occurs.
- Perform other relevant duties and responsibilities as requested.

Authority
- Chair and represent the supply logistics cluster in inter-cluster meetings at sub-national level.
- Convene and chair meetings with partners to coordinate the supply emergency response.
- Propose allocation of resources in compliance with the resources allocation framework and determine the country operation's supply chain structure (including the location of warehouses, Supply officers, trans-shipment points and other infrastructure).
- Determine shipment methods, routes and delivery schedules to meet demand in the most timely and cost-effective manner.
- Award, approve and terminate local contracts and frame-agreements in accordance with delegated authorities, as well as, relevant UNHCR regulations, rules and procedures.
- Enforce local compliance with relevant UNHCR regulations, rules and procedures related to supply chain.
- Propose the criteria and profile for the country operation's supply chain workforce within standards established by UNHCR.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree in Economics, Business Administration, Logistics or related field.
- Minimum 10 years relevant professional supply-chain experience at professional level in refugee, internal displacement, in humanitarian emergencies or complex operation(s) at management level, field assignments, with 7 years in the international capacity.
- Capacity building and training delivery experience.
- Practical understanding and knowledge of internal UNHCR management systems and procedures.
- Good understanding of UNHCR¿s global strategies and priorities, in particular protection-related.
- Excellent analytical and drafting skills
- Fluency in English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Relevant training and proven skills in the area of emergency management; the Supply Chain Learning Programme (SCLP), UNHCR Management Learning Programme or specific training relevant to function.
- UNHCR learning programmes including Workshop on Emergency Management, Emergency Leadership Training Programme, and the Security Management Learning Programme.
- Experience developing training materials.
- Knowledge and working experience of PeopleSoft/MSRP Supply Chain applications.
- Working knowledge of French desirable. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in this addendum is Monday 7 December 2020 (midnight Geneva time).