UNOPS LICA 5 Senior Supply Assistant

Title: Senior Supply Assistant
Duty station: Santiago, Chile
Section/Unit: Supply Unit
ICA Level: LICA 5
Duration:         from 01/10/2021 to 31/12/2021
Supervisor: Supply Associate

1. General Background
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.  

In Chile, particularly, UNHCR works and coordinate together with government institutions, civil society organizations, municipalities and the private sector to ensure protection, humanitarian assistance and durable solutions for nearly 500,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants (it has become the third most frequent country of destination for Venezuelans in Latin America after Colombia and Peru), as well as 13,000 refugees, asylum-seekers and others of concern of other nationalities (PoCs), who have found in the country a safe place to build a new home and continue their lives.

In the specific frame of COVID-19, UNHCR is working with the Chilean authorities and other UN agencies to ensure that the national response to the crisis includes the needs of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants. As borders have remained closed since March 2020, irregular border crossings in the north of the country have been on the rise, exposing refugees and migrants to increased protection risks of trafficking, SGBV and exploitation, etc. UNHCR is working with partners to inform about risks and to provide assistance and protection where cases had approached. UNHCR is complementing the national response with much-needed food and hygiene kits, housing support, basic medical attention and cash assistance in various locations in the country.

Pursuant to the request by the UN Secretary-General to UNHCR and IOM on 12 April 2018, to lead and coordinate the response to refugees and migrants from Venezuela, UNHCR and IOM co-lead the National Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela in Chile and works closely with other UN sister agencies on ensuring holistic responses to their plight.

The operation in Chile has a workforce of 25 persons approximately, composed of staff members (both national and international), and affiliates. The National Office (NO) is located in Santiago de Chile, and there is field presence in Arica and Antofagasta. The NO Chile is under the scope of the Multi-country Office (MCO) Argentina, located in Buenos Aires.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The incumbent is supervised by the Supply Associate and works in close coordination with him/her and the  Associate Supply Officer based in Buenos Aires and will be in charge of:

- In compliance with supply chain rules and procedures, support the related supply activities to facilitate UNHCR end to end processes resulting in a timely and quality delivery of goods and services to persons of concern.
- Apply UNHCR's sourcing & procurement strategy when planning for purchase of important commodities and services.
- Initiate custom clearance of consignments, draft exemption requests, and liaise with local agents.
- Support warehouse management, and assist with planning of goods & services deliveries, and provide information on the status of requests and the availability of items in the supply chain.
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive records on supply activities and provide reports and updates periodically, and on request.
- Examine purchase requests to ensure conformity and liaise with requesters.
- Prepare quotation requests and tenders, produce bid-tabulations from tenders and prepare Purchase Orders for approval.
- Dispatch approved Purchase Orders, and follow-up with the delivery of ordered commodities and services.
- Provide information on all procurement activities within the AoR.
- Produce standard asset management reports and other asset information, periodically and when requested.
- Maintain accurate data in all relevant business systems. Compile statistical information on supply chain related matters that will assist in decision making.
- Ensure local liaison to effectively support the supply activities.
- Assist in the management of the storage of goods according to "best practices" and UNHCR rules and regulations;
- Assist in managing Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) effectively according to UNHCR rules and regulation, including registration and marking of new PPE, physical verification of PPE, preparation of agreements and disposal forms (including submissions to LAMB/AMB), and assistance with disposal of PPE.
- Perform other related duties as required.


All UNHCR staff members and affiliated workforce are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members and affiliated workforce are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.


3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The incumbent will be supervised by Supply Associate and his/her  performance will be monitored on a monthly basis according to the objectives that will be set during the initial period of the contract.


4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

Preferred area of education: trade, business administration, economics, marketing or related field

b. Work Experience

2 years  of relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1-year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

c. Key Competencies

IT-Computer literacy (MS Office and PeopleSoft/MSRP)
IT-PeopleSoft Supply Chain Management;
SC-Supply Chain Management
SC-Planning
SC-Procurement
SC-Customs formalities
SC-Logistics
SC-Warehouse Management
SC-Asset & Fleet Management


Other Competencies:
- Good knowledge of Spanish and English.
- Computer skills (in MS office) including advanced Excel skills 
- Nationality: Chilean or Temporary or permanent Labour VISA with residence in Chile

Desirable
- Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.
- Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
- Background knowledge on migrations and forced displacement


Additional Information

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application,interview, processing or any other fees).
UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Closing Date
Please note that closing date is 19th September inclusive (midnight Geneva time). No late applications will be accepted.