Supply and Logistics Specialist, NO3, Assignment of 364 days, Beijing, China #115423 (Open for Chinese Nationals only)

Contract

This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 contracts.

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 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, passion

UNICEF in China promotes policies and laws that better deliver on children's rights. We have about 100 staff members working with the Government of China and other partners to ensure that the benefits of the country's development reach the most impoverished children. And we share what we learn with others.

The Supply Section manages the supply components of the China Country Programme and supports UNICEF Supply Division in shaping the market for essential supplies for children from China.

How can you make a difference?

The Supply and Logistics Specialist reports to the Dep Rep – Operations as per the Country Office (CO) set-up as well as Supply Division (SD) activities in China facilitating various SD engagement in China market, one of the biggest suppliers of UNICEF purchased goods. Having insiders understanding of Chinese market, direct contact and communication with Chinese authorities, vendors, market influencers, logistics providers, other UN Agencies, especially during the Covid pandemic and limited travel movements, should provide more efficient access to desired products and expedite procurement processes.

The ability of the Supply and Logistics Specialist to successfully plan, manage and oversee the effective and efficient supply chain management of goods, services and construction works for UNICEF programmes and the Government, directly impact on program goals and results for children. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility of UNICEF as an effective and responsible manager of funds entrusted to the organization and to furthering UNICEF image as a competent organization for delivering cost effective and sustainable program results for children.

Key functions, accountabilities and functional duties

1. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems

• Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.

• Provide input to capacity development initiatives in the area of supply chains for children, in close collaboration with programme colleagues. Support supply components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context. • Advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply solutions for children, such as use of procurement services; supply financing solutions; local market development; private sector engagement.

• Provide support in developing and implementing Supply and Logistics workplan for the China CO and also in collaboration with SD and other CO develop procurement plan for country-to-country procurement.

• Provide technical advice and support covering logistics aspects, including customs clearance, warehousing, and transport.

2. Innovation, products and markets

• Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with Supply Division.
• Identify which supplies are not available, gaps, and barriers to access for essential supplies for children in China. Use innovation for fit for purpose supplies for children in China.
• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices on supply chain management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient supply chains for children.
• Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, in collaboration with supervisor run initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.
• Facilitate identification of potential Vendors for development of fit-for-purpose and value-for-money products that respond to the unmet needs of children. By working with field partners and programmatic experts to understand those needs, businesses and academia to map the local market to identify capacities to make products that meet those needs, and with programming partners and donors to bring those new products to scale, product innovation at UNICEF is having a tremendous impact for children.

3. China market intelligence

• Interpreting and closely monitoring Government procurement and market/supply related regulations providing SD and China CO with regular updates timely emphasizing changes and key opportunities and limitations.
• Explore market and product updates highlighting trends in supply, demand, shortages, surplus and availability of key strategic products procured by UNICEF in China
• Assist SD in buying the right products at the right price and quality via detailed specifications, competitive tendering, smart contracting, and innovating funding mechanisms

4. Networking and knowledge sharing

• In close coordination with the SD and China CO establish and follow up with the relevant government authorities networking facilitating smooth processes in various areas of logistics, product production and warehousing.
• Establish and maintain regular contacts with Vendors (including direct manufactures) of various products of UNICEF global (and local) procurement interest.
• Provide, when required, training and informative sessions to interested Vendors about UNICEF/UN procurement framework
• Provide, when required, training and information sessions to the SD and China CO Supply community regarding China market specific context and how to navigate various tendering processes to reach broader Vendors audience in China.

5. Supply chain service delivery and emergency response

• In consultation with supervisor, participate in high level emergency coordination, implementation and monitoring meetings with internal and external partners and establish close collaboration with SD Transport Center to ensure effective and efficient logistics initiatives for children.
• Conduct root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges in the context of China engagement, contribute to the development of improved practices and approaches with a view to drive to achieve impactful results.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree is required in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field, or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is required.
• *A first level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with seven (7) years of relevant work experience in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly related technical field, may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
• Emergency experience an advantage.
• Health supply chain management experience an advantage.

Language:

• Fluency in English and Chinese is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Skills:

• Ability to resolve difficult, complex, and sensitive situations often under pressure.
• Ability to initiate and manage change in a diverse environment.
• Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and material resources.
• Ability to supervise and direct a team of professional and support staff.
• Ability to work strategically to realize organizational goals, develop strategies, set clear visions.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working
• relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to identify and analyze systemic issues, formulate opinions and make conclusions and recommendations to resolve same.
• Skill in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges in the field and propose changes.
• Strong knowledge of latest developments and technology in supply chain management.
• Strong understanding of supply chain processes, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, logistics and delivery, monitoring, and evaluation.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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 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:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.