ASSOCIATE SUPPLY OFFICER

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNHCR has 7 offices in CAR: 1 Representation (Bangui), 1 Sub-Office (Bouar) and 4 Field Offices (Bambari, Kaga-Bandoro, Paoua, Obo); in addition to a Field Unit in Berberati. The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation, social unrest and grievance in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing. interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid sala-ries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about cases of criminalities as a direct result of the crisis. The coun-try is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport situated 1,500 kms away causing regular short-age of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages 4 days to a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 3 and 5 restricting movement to official travel only. Currently the cur-few applies from 10 pm to 5 am. This situation puts great stress on staff members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel. Staff upon arrival are accom-modated in UNHCR guesthouse until they arrange their own private accommodation inside the approved security perimeter in Bangui.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Supply Officer the UN Volunteer will under-take the following tasks:

Strategy:

• Prepare plans for delivery of relief items according to operational needs. • Apply UNHCR's procurement strategy when planning for purchase of important com-modities and services. • Through regular physical verification of Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) establish their status, propose old and obsolete PPE for disposal and plan for the arrival of re-placement items. Operational Support:

• Contributing within the Multifunctional team to Identify partners, in particular for supply chain projects, based on objectives, priorities, strengths and resources of the partner and/or contractor, according to criteria consistent with UNHCR rules and regulations. • Resolve difficulties in the local supply chain by finding solutions to problems and bot-tlenecks, and provide regular reports on supply chain activities, the status of requests and the availability of items in the supply chain. • Ensure timely customs clearance of consignments, and manage storage of goods ac-cording to "best practices" and UNHCR rules and regulations. • Maintain an efficient system for the release, distribution and redeployment of goods. • Coordinate transportation and distribution of relief items. • Maintain accurate and comprehensive records on logistical activities and provide time-ly reports and updates both periodically and on request. • Coordinate activities of implementing partners and/or contractors performing supply re-lated activities, and ensure that they understand and adhere to relevant UNHCR rules and procedures. • Through regular physical verification of PPE establish their status. • Propose old and obsolete PPE for disposal and plan for arrival of replacement items. Infrastructure Support:

• Evaluate purchase requisitions to ensure that specifications, delivery dates and all other requirements are in order. • Draft and dispatch quotation requests and/or tenders, assist in the evaluation of offers and draft bid-tabulations, and prepare proposals for award of contracts to the Commit-tee on Contracts. • Prepare Purchase Orders and send confirmations, requests for inspection and other correspondence; • Monitor the manufacture/transport of ordered goods to ensure timely delivery. • Analyse matters relating to procurement activities, and deliver information on all pro-curement activities within area of responsibility. Provide guidance and advice on UN-HCR procurement policies and procedures to support and assist requesting sections. • Implement effective asset and fleet management that regularly monitors the asset/fleet pool, saves cost and safeguards the investment of the organisation including receipt, inspection, registration and marking of new PPE, and organisation of the physical veri-fication of PPE. • Ensure that PPE agreements are properly issued and signed. • Ensure proper preparation of disposal forms and cases for the Asset Management Board. • Organise the disposal of PPE, according to Asset Management Board decisions. • Provides asset management reports, customised reports, and gathers information on all assets and provides in-depth reports periodically and when requested. • Analyse the quality of commodities and services delivered in relation to the needs of the location and established quality standards. Establish a local quality assurance pro-cess. Business Support:

• Analyse the existing infrastructure and ensure that it is optimally aligned with the oper-ational needs. • Implement practical projects to improve supply performance that has clear objectives, timescales, tasks and resources defined. Monitor the project implementation and report on progress. • Monitor the quality and accuracy of supply chain related data in relevant business sys-tems. Compile and analyse statistical information, identify trends and developments in supply chain related matters that will assist in decision making. • Disseminate, promote commitment to and monitor compliance with UNHCR's global policies, standards and guidance on supply chain management. • Adapt local supply chain structures to be consistent with the operational needs. Ensure effective information flow in the supply chain and adapt local process to the prevailing environment.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work inde-pendently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organi-zational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and abil-ity to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to es-tablish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work un-der pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent pro-jects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presenta-tions, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommenda-tions; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse back-grounds; ; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort,

• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position such as the Supply Chain Learning Programme (SCLP) is an asset. • Other UN procurement and logistics trainings – such as IAPSO and UNPD – is an asset. • Knowledge and working experience of PeopleSoft/MSRP Supply Chain applications is an asset. • CIPS certifications, is also an asset.

The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about increasing cases of criminalities as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by SELEKA – a coalition of rebel groups and recent events in December 2013 that carried country into a chaos. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport situated 1500 kms away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 4 and 5 restricting movement to official travel only. The curfew applies from 10pm to 5am due to the current state of emergency and will certainly go back to the normal which is from 10pm to 5am. This situation puts tremendous stress on staff and their family members. There are very limited medi-cal infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel and the UN is building a hospital for its staff to be concluded in May. Four airlines officially recognized by UN System serve the country: Air France and Kenya Airways (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc and Asky (three times a week).

Flights are subject of cancellation when security situation volatility increases. UN flights are also avail-able to move towards UN operation areas in the country. R&R cycle in the entire Central African Re-public 6 weeks. The Living conditions are becoming more and more difficult due to the prices increase and scarcity of basic products and food. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. Pri-vate accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house according to the security measures can take about 4 weeks or more. Nevertheless, currently all serving UN Volunteers have a decent accommodation ensuring minimum and above the minimum standard of comfort. The average cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD, for a small apartment with no furniture and no power generator, to 1700 USD with all commodities.

For the sake of rewarding experience, UN volunteers in CAR carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply.

Important consideration during COVID-19 pandemic: As we continue to deliver services to the beneficiaries amidst COVID-19 pandemic, the later can pre-sent a heightened risk to people over the age of 65 and to those with pre-existing medical conditions, some of which are listed below, and candidates are strongly encouraged to consider them before applying to this IUNV Assignment in Central African Republic, where medical facilities are very poor in general, and the need for physical presence at the duty station for this assignment: • Poorly controlled diabetes (Hb1AC above 7%); A history of cardiac failure. • Unstable angina or a myocardial infarction in the past 6 months; • Chronic obstructive lung disorder or asthma requiring daily use of inhaler; • Ongoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy for cancer treatment; • Long-term treatment with immunosuppressive drugs; Dialysis patients; any type of organ transplant; HIV with detectable viral load and CD4 count under 500; Pregnancies