Supply & Logistics Officer (WASH), NO-B, Kabul, Afghanistan, Afghan Nationals Only

Contract

This is a NO-2 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-2 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, Clean Water

Afghanistan is one of the most poorly served countries in the world in terms of WASH services, with more than one-third of people without access to improved drinking water. Nearly 60 per cent of the same population lacks access to improved latrines. Studies also show contamination of water services both at source and household level is significantly high in both urban and rural areas. Safe hygiene practices, such as hand washing, are very low across the country, especially in rural areas. According to UNICEF’s Water Security for All report, 93% of children in Afghanistan (15.6 million children) live in areas of high, or extremely high, water vulnerability. Groundwater overextraction for agriculture and cash crops like poppies is exacerbating water scarcity. Even before taking into consideration the escalating security situation, and rapid collapse of the government during August last year, the 2021 HRP estimated that a total of about 8.8 million people would need safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and services. Meanwhile the drought has compelled people to temporarily move their families from their places of origin to other nearby communities to seek access to water. Furthermore, the recent escalation in conflict with the resulting upheaval and seizing of power by the de facto authority has further exacerbated the high needs for critical WASH services in urban centres, where a significant number of people moved to seek a safe haven and escape possible clashes. This has placed increased pressure on existing WASH services and on the host communities as they accommodate new arrivals. There are early signs of a ‘brain drain’ occurring in the country, amongst trained WASH experts and officials following the takeover of power and this is already impacting the maintenance of existing WASH systems and services which collapse soon as a result leaving millions in cities, towns and rural communities without water and sanitation services.

The impact of these multifaceted issues is illustrated by the current outbreak of AWD/Cholera, which began in September 2021, less than one month after the regime change. These early warnings that existing WASH systems and utilities may soon collapse particularly in urban areas serving large, overcrowded populations, requires urgent action to stabilize the sector and ensure continuity of safe WASH services. Meanwhile hard to reach areas, which have already been underserved for many years, are now accessible and because of drought, returnees and malnutrition there is a significant potential that AWD/Cholera and other communicable disease outbreaks will occur. At the same time, it is critical that existing health facilities and schools do not become point sources of infection for communicable diseases given the high vulnerability of the population at this time and improving their WASH infrastructure and providing IPC training and materials are critical to mitigate communicable disease outbreaks.

How can you make a difference?

The Supply and Logistics officer provides technical and operational support to WASH Section and is responsible for managing the WASH supply core pipelines, supply chain operations, supply plan utilization and reporting. The incumbent will be main focal person between WASH section and supply section in coordinating all matters related to WASH supplies and include planning, procurement, contracting, customs clearance, warehousing, in country transport and distribution, as well as monitoring of supplies, services and construction works. The incumbent supports WASH programme team in defining supply interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children, and provides technical and advisory support to implementing partners, and other sections on supply chain management.

1. Supervision and management of the WASH supplies

• Support operationalization and/implementation of WASH section supply for the WASH team; assist in determining supply priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitoring WASH scale up progress in relation to supplies to ensure that HAC 2022 results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• In collaboration with WASH Program Associates, support in follow up with SO, PO and other related supply procurement processes to ensure timely release and distribution of supplies. In collaboration with Supply section team, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team.
• In consultation with supervisor, ensure establishment and maintenance of operational capacity to handle WASH supply chains and contracting of third-party services if applicable (e.g., customs clearance, warehousing, transport, distribution).

2. Supply chain service delivery and emergency WASH response

• In consultation with supervisor, provide input to the WASH Supply plan and advice on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and WASH scale up Plan. Participate in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the supply chain operations, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of products and services.
• Monitor and review supply spend, and draft procurement strategies based on category management in order to focus on strategic, essential supplies and services that contribute to results for children and support the establishment of long-term agreements (LTAs) where relevant. Maintain highest level of integrity, ethical standards and accountability in the procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction work.
• Monitor progress of offshore and/or regional procurement and take action to ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country. Maintain appropriate warehousing, inventory management and in-country transport in support of the country programme implementation. Keep stakeholders/partners informed on the progress. Implement appropriate vendor management practices e.g., WASH supply plan/ performance reviews.
• Analyze supply dashboards, implementation rates of key performance indicators and supply information/data from various systems and conduct root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, with a view to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Participate in the development of WASH supply core pipeline & logistics strategy based on risk assessment analysis and Programme assumptions. Ensure WASH emergency supply and logistics preparedness action plan for the CO is established in line with Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCC) and implemented (establishment of relevant LTAs and frame agreements for emergency response, prepositioning of stock, and training of staff in the country office).

3. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners

• In collaboration with supervisor, develop close collaboration with programme sections through involvement in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Establish accountability framework with programmes, for delivery of results for children.
• Prepare supply documentation to facilitate input to donor dialogue, and support development of supply components of proposals to donors including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies, services and construction works.
• Support assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society, establishment of Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs), and monitoring of supply components under Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT).
• Participate in events/meetings that build partnerships and collaborative relations with Government, UN organizations and bilateral counterparts in supply and logistics activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement.

4. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems

• Provide input to promoting of 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 supervisor and programme colleagues. Support supply components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context.
• Prepare relevant supply reports to facilitate 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.

5. Innovation, products and markets

• Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with supervisor and Supply Division.
• Support initiatives for 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, support initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.

6. Reporting

• The Supply and logistic officer will report to the WASH Specialist- Operations, Reporting and Budgeting (P3). Although the key roles are stated above but they are not exhaustive in nature the manager needs to participate and play an active role in representing WASH section in any Supply and logistic discussion forum.

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

• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or another related social field is required.
• A minimum of two (2) 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.
• A good understanding of developmental and humanitarian work is highly desirable.
• WASH supply chain management experience is an advantage.
• Prior experience in emergencies is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and local languages (Dari & Pashto) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

* Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

* Kindly note that this is a non-family duty station.

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

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offer of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.