Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist (Health products)

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva and country-specific programs from its operations and project centers located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Global Fund does not have a country-level presence outside of its central Secretariat in Geneva. Instead, it hires third party Local Fund Agents (LFAs) to oversee, verify and report on grant performance. LFAs are selected through a competitive bidding process.

The Global Fund typically engages one LFA in each country where its grant funds are disbursed. The LFA provides access to local knowledge that is relevant to grant performance. The Global Fund adheres to the principles of performance-based funding in making disbursement decisions. The aim is to ensure that investments are made only where funding is managed and spent effectively on programs that achieve impact in fighting the relevant diseases. The LFA is a crucial part of the Global Fund’s system of oversight and risk management. Its principal role is to provide informed and independent professional advice about the capacity of fund/grant recipients to manage the implementation of activities funded by grant funds (including the recipient’s capacity to oversee implementation of activities by implementing parties), to make recommendations concerning periodic disbursement of grant funds, to review grant performance when a grant is being considered for renewal, and to provide the donor on an on-going basis with relevant information on issues or risks which might affect grant performance.

The LFA is expected to have an up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of relevant diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), how they are prevented, transmitted and treated, and their impact on a specific country. The LFA team assesses the recipients’ institutional and health/programmatic capacities and arrangements to ensure adequate health expertise (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and/or malaria) in the implementation of the donor grant funds. The LFA team also determines whether the recipient has adequate infrastructure and information systems to support grant implementation, including the monitoring of performance of implementing partners and outsourced entities in a timely and accountable manner. The Global Fund has adopted an intensive risk management approach to services with enhanced effort toward in-depth verifications and reporting. The identification of financial and programmatic risks with ongoing updates shall be provided the donor with special attention to the overall context of the relevant diseases and grant implementation in country. Since 2020, the scope of the LFA work was broadened to encompass assurance of activities delivered by implementers with additional funding from the Covid 19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) of the Global Fund.

Functional Responsibilities

The international Procurement/Supply Chain Specialist (Health products) will be based in Islamabad, Pakistan and will report to the LFA Team Leader. The incumbent will lead the technical area of procurement and supply management for health products and ensure that all PSM work delivered to the client, including reviews conducted by the Junior PSM professional, is of high quality and completed within the timeframes set with the client. The incumbent may be required to travel to regions as necessary.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. The incumbent is required to perform the function of procurement/supply chain specialist (health products) for the UNOPS LFA in Pakistan by carrying out the following activities:

Report reviews: Review progress update reports and disbursement requests, as well as reprogramming requests submitted by the grant recipients as per the following:

• Review the performance of the procurement work plans and assess their efficiency and effectiveness, identify weaknesses and strengths and make recommendations for necessary follow-up by the grantees;
• Review the resources allocation plan (funds and personnel), assessment of targets and achievement, storage and delivery aspects and its implementation, identify weakness and success relating to procurement and make recommendations for necessary follow up by the grant recipients;
• Review and clearance of the recipients’ PSM plans, using the template for assessment and advise whether the grant recipients meet the required minimum capacities for implementing the programme as listed in the PSM assessment guidelines and framework. This will include compiling information on supply procurement and distribution system from various documents, discussing with the grant recipients and visiting various offices located in-country.
• Debrief grant recipients and implementing partners’ staff members on the main findings from the verifications;
• Cross verification of PSM data with M&E and health/programmatic, management and financial data/information;
• Conduct comprehensive PSM analysis and reflect in the PSM-related section of the mandatory reporting template.
• As required conduct verification and analysis of the drugs forecasts drawn by the grant recipients.

On-site and off-site assessments: Conduct regular visits, including field visits, to the grant recipients and implementing partners offices and sites and provide independent opinion and analysis on the procurement/ supply chain management by the relevant parties. Such on-site and off-site assessments follow the donor framework approach, by using the forms, checklists and questionnaires provided by the donor as guides or tools. This includes:

• Organize and lead recipient assessments, and procurement/supply chain reviews to provide informed and independent professional advice to the donor about the capacity of recipients to effectively manage and implement the donor grant funds from a PSM-perspective;
• Identify whether the recipient is able to coordinate and otherwise manage pharmaceutical and health products management systems which can:

a) Collect, record and report programmatic data with appropriate quality control measures

b) Support the preparation of regular, reliable programmatic reports;

c) Make data available for the purpose of evaluations and other studies: and

d) Identify key weaknesses and risks of capacities on the recipient and provide specific recommendations for strengthening and level of enforcement.

Implementation Reviews and Quality Assurance:

• Identify PSM weaknesses and make recommendations with timeframes for necessary follow up by the grant recipients and implementing partners during capacity assessment or implementation monitoring;

• Suggest remedial measures on the potential weaknesses in the management of implementing partners, to ensure the optimum utilization of donor grant money and safeguarding the funds against any fraud;

• Undertake preliminary quality assurance of the LFA PSM deliverables to be submitted to the donor, to ensure that these are in line with contemporary professional standards;
• Discuss with the team leader any other institutional and PSM aspects to be reviewed and take action accordingly;
• Identify risks which may lead to diversion of health and non health products/frauds
• Identify if the products under the grant are used for the purpose for which they were procured
• Conduct desk review and physical verification of goods procured under the grants.
• Verify that all the procurements have been made in line with applicable quality assurance policies.
• Identify overstocking /under stocking situations in the supply chain which may lead to unwarranted expiration/out of stock situation.
• Assess that the health and non-health procurements have been carried out in transparent manner using competitive procedures in line with donor and national guidelines/regulations and bring adequate value for money.
• Carry out price quality reporting auditing for all covered pharmaceuticals and health products, whenever required.
• Immediately raise all suspicious acts, transactions and activities and processes which may pose potential risks, misconduct, mismanagement, misuse and frauds by grant recipients and implementing partners to the attention of the relevant team leader;
• Conduct quality assurance of PSM reports and analysis produced by other colleagues;
• In conducting the above tasks, ensure that relevant guidelines and policies are adhered to including the ones which are related to the PSM functional area. The respective international guidelines (e.g. WHO, UNAIDS, etc) shall be also consulted and followed.

Management & client relations:

• Foster an atmosphere of team spirit, mutual respect and professional independence when collaborating with LFA team members;
• Assist the donor in grant negotiations;
• Assist the donor in grant closure activities;
• Demonstrate an overall understanding of the grant architecture and in-depth knowledge of all team activities required to be performed as described in the donor manual;
• Remain updated on donor guidelines and procedures, timeframes for completion of team activities, and the forms and templates to be used in the field of work;
• Perform other duties as per the donor manual and/or as assigned/ required.

Progress against the work plans and overall performance will be routinely discussed with the team leader and the client. PSM-specific outputs of the LFA specialist will be assessed semi-annually by the Global Fund, and UNOPS according to their performance evaluation procedures.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

• A Masters degree of equivalent in Public Health, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Medicine or other related discipline is required.
• Professional complementary training in procurement and supply management (PSM) of health products, logistics and/or public health is desired.

b. Work Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in managing or advising on the procurement, distribution and supply of health products, particularly in developing countries and/or Pakistan, with expertise in:

1) supply and demand issues in the implementation of public health programs,

2) experience in assessing policies, systems and structures in the public and/or private health sector that are relevant for managing effective and efficient access to pharmaceuticals, and other health products, particularly for AIDS, TB and malaria focusing on identifying relevant strengths and weaknesses and on developing action oriented recommendations,

3) a strong understanding of AIDS, TB and malaria market dynamics and existing global supply challenges as well as international health products procurement and supply management processes, applicable national and international laws and recognized standards,

4) experience in quantification and forecasting of health products needs in public health programs and,

5) good writing and analytical skills.

c. Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French or other UN languages is desirable.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: IICA-2 / ICS-10

Contract duration: Ongoing

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.