Chief Procurement Services Center, P-5, FT, Copenhagen, Denmark

Overview

Lead and direct procurement services for UNICEF programs.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Political Science, International Relations or other related field.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Ten to twelve years of progressively responsible managerial experience in complex and large operations involving planning, organizing, marketing and senior advisory support.
• Varied experience in UNICEF or other development agencies including demonstrated strategic vision to provide leadership in the development of procurement services.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in specialized field of UNICEF work.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 193,577 USD and 242,596 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their full potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Care

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does - in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life - in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions - her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens - addressing inequity - not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also accelerating the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director, Supply Programme, the Centre Chief directs the activities related to Procurement Services (including work with key divisions/offices and stakeholders to roll out a comprehensive and coherent pre-financing strategy for essential supplies for UNICEF supported programmes, assisting external partners in relevant countries with increasing access, through procurement and supply management activities, to essential, strategic products required for advancement of children’s lives), building partner relationships, screening and assessing scopes of engagement, and overseeing management of transactions.

The incumbent will be overseeing financing of Vaccine Independence Initiative (VII) of above $300 million, Supplies Financing Facility (SFF) of $1 billion, forecast accuracy, support to procurement services with WB, including COVAX participants, support increase more domestic resources allocation for supply for children, etc.

Key functions and responsibilities:

1. Leads a dedicated team to ensure effective and coordinated implementation of procurement service activities throughout UNICEF.
2. Develops and maintains relationships with key development financial and procurement services partners, including external partnerships primarily at global/HQ level. Supports UNICEF Country Offices in relationships at field level.
3. Leads efforts to ensure that capacity building and sharing of know-how is embedded in the design of procurement services activities, to facilitate procurement services exit strategies.
4. Develops and maintains a work-plan that serves as the basis of the activities, including monitoring of throughput, income, and budget.
5. Works actively and in coordinated manner within SD as well as Field Offices to support global planning, procurement, and delivery of supplies. Ensures activities are cost effective and efficient.
6. Establishes and implements monitoring and evaluating systems to ensure compliance with SD target goals and objectives. Ensure active surveillance of activities and arrange appropriate follow or trouble shooting of team as needed.
7. Monitors customer satisfaction and needs, anticipates and plans changes to ensure SD meets expectation from clients and services delivered effectively. Recommends any policy or procedural changes to meet customer-changing needs.
8. Establishes with other center Chiefs specific objectives, performance indicators and analysis of procurement and supply chain trends in priority areas.
9. Designs and undertakes workshops, arranges meetings and events to consult clients and partners to improve level of engagement as well as service operations.
10. Active member of SD management team.

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

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Political Science, International Relations or other related field.
• *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Work Experience

• Ten to twelve years of progressively responsible managerial experience in complex and large operations involving planning, organizing, marketing and senior advisory support. Varied experience in UNICEF or other development agencies including:
• Demonstrated strategic vision to provide leadership in the development of procurement services.
• Capacity to diagnose and resolve multiple, concurrent problems; a conceptual and strategic analytical capacity.
• Knowledge of current trends, practices in specialized field of UNICEF work.
• High level of leadership, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Ability to articulate and conceptualize ideas and influence policies, strategies and priorities.
• Ability to express clearly and concisely, ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Management of diverse professional and support staff.
• Strong problem-solving orientation.
• Ability to plan, co-ordinate and manage multiple activities. Experience with project management work.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

The value and competencies required for this post are (CRITA)….

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, leads and manages people (3)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
• Works Collaboratively with others (3)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (3)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF is committed to achieving gender balance at P5 level by end 2021 and will prioritize eligible and suitable female candidates, especially from programme countries.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

• This vacancy announcement is open to all internal and external candidates.
• For UNICEF FT staff, the 1-year time in post must be observed in order to apply for another position.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• Female candidates, especially from programme countries, are highly encouraged to apply for this role and will be prioritized.

Potential interview questions