Supply Assistant
Provide support in supply management and inventory control tasks.
Overview
Provide support in supply management and inventory control tasks.
You have:
- 3 years of progressively responsible experience in inventory and supply management, property management, logistics, warehousing, procurement, administrative services, or related areas is required.
- Experience in working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as Umoja, is desirable.
- Experience working in a United Nations (UN) field mission or UN agency is desirable.
Contract
This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.
Assignment is non-family (GOMA).
Until 30 June 2027, with possible 12-months extension, this pending renewal of mandate
Under the direct supervision of the Chief, General Supply Unit a.i., the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Receives authorized online requisitions for stores' supplies from Chiefs of Section and Heads of Units; verifies requisitions in accordance with sections'/units' monthly requirements;
- Ensures that supplies are issued to requesting offices/sections as per approved requisitions without delay.
- Monitors stock of supplies in the stores; conducts regular stock-taking of expendable items in the supply stores; informs the supervisor of discrepancies observed and supplies which require stock replenishment in a timely manner. Ensures that items in the supply stores are arranged in an orderly manner and that supplies are issued to requestors before the expiration date of the products;
- Assists in raising requisitions for services and items required by the supply stores; coordinates with offices and sections about the requests received. Provides updates on requisition status on a regular basis.
- Assists the Receipt and Inspection Unit (R&I) in receiving and inspecting goods delivered by vendors and managed by the Supply Unit. Processes internal R&I reports for goods in the Supply Stores and forwards them to the R&I Unit for processing records of the goods in the system, and issues goods to end users according to established procedures. Updates and monitors stock cards for acquired products;
- Participates in the acquisition and drafting of preliminary specifications for requirements; participates in the preparation of technical evaluation committees and presentations to the Local Committee on Contracts.
- Assists in conducting periodic inventory of UN Non-Expendable Property and attractive Property managed by Supply Stores and updates records in the system by processing issue vouchers to individual end users of UN property for the purposes of transparency and accountability.
- Prepares write-off requests for property that is lost, obsolete, or damaged. Receives technical evaluation reports from technicians on damaged property or property which has become obsolete and raises requests for write-off in the system to facilitate submission by the Claims Office.
- Ensures that property approved for write-off and disposal is handed over to the Property Disposal Unit in a timely manner. Provides updates on the status of write-off requests regularly.
- Assists in preparing a variety of monthly, yearly, and ad hoc inventory reports of the field mission's property. Maintains, updates, and ensures the accuracy and completeness of computer database recordings of requisition details, purchase orders, delivery, and other supply-related actions; monitors reports.
- Familiarizes new staff with work requirements and applicable UN guidelines and office procedures;
- Assists in budget projections by providing input for items and costs projected at a given time during the budget period and assists in the compilation of budget estimates;
- Performs other duties as required.
• Client orientation • Communication • Creativity • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams
- 3 years of progressively responsible experience in inventory and supply management, property management, logistics, warehousing, procurement, administrative services, or related areas is required.
- Experience in working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as Umoja, is desirable.
- Experience working in a United Nations (UN ) field mission or UN agency is desirable.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse. Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, were, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.
Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative.
All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma.
Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up to date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis.
The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad.
In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.
Potential interview questions
| Describe a time when you had to manage the inventory of supplies effectively. | This question assesses your experience and approach to inventory management. | Provide an example demonstrating how you tracked inventory levels and ensured timely replenishment. |
| How do you ensure accurate reporting of inventory and supplies? | This question looks for your attention to detail and reporting skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of how you've successfully worked in a team? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you employ to meet tight deadlines in supply management? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you handle discrepancies between stock records and physical inventory? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your experience with ERP systems in your previous roles. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure compliance with procurement procedures? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What would you do if you were tasked with preparing a budget estimate under tight constraints? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |