Supply Specialist – Covid-19/COVAX, UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy 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, a future

How can you make a difference?

1. Background and Rationale:

The world is facing an unprecedented health, humanitarian, socio-economic and human rights crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. While its full impact and long-term fallout is still unclear, one thing is known: the impact of the pandemic on the lives of hundreds of millions of children and women is severe. UNICEF South-Asia Region is catering the needs of more than 1.87 billion people in eight countries (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan) and is ranked amongst the high burden regions in terms of reported Covid-19 cases and related deaths. To reduce the impact of the pandemic, acceleration of global efforts to interrupt COVID-19 transmission has geared up countries’ access to COVID-19 vaccines. Realizing the gravity of a massive vaccination target of nearly 1.3 billion people 18 years of age and above, innumerable resources are channeled to South Asia. With the rapid surge in access to COVID-19 vaccines, there is a need for a Supply Specialist to support the ongoing coordination efforts at Regional level in cooperation with other global partners, HQ and Country Offices.

2. Purpose:

The purpose of the assignment is to provide technical supply-related support to ROSA teams and South Asian country teams for acceleration of COVID-19 vaccination amid forthcoming surge in COVID-19 vaccine deliveries through better coordination and collaboration within UNICEF as well as with other partners involved.

3. Key Assignments/Tasks:

Under the direct supervision of ROSA Supply & Logistics Manager, the Supply Specialist will:

• Follow-up on COVAX allocations and related deliveries, report on any challenges, recommend and follow up on corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure Quality Control of the data reported in the global Covid-19 Dashboards for the 8 SAR Countries to ensure consistency and full accuracy in reporting;
• Update ROSA tracking sheets based on official correspondence from COVAX and/or recipient countries to ensure full-time accurate benchmark in data.
• Produce timely and quality content for Supply contributions to the ROSA Covid-19 SitRep;
• Represent ROSA in COVAX/Supply-related working groups as requested by the Supply & Logistics Manager;
• Actively participate in all bi-weekly meetings with country offices and regional stakeholders for roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines in the Region; follow up on requests and action points as needed.
• Produce and share minutes/notes and follow up on action points from meetings as needed.
• Assist in following up and reporting on implementation of regional grants by Country Offices (i.e. CCE grants).
• Liaise with ROSA Cold Chain Specialist and assist on any need for supply related data on CCE.
• Assist the Regional Supply Manager on ongoing initiatives in line with Covid-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response (i.e. Oxygen Therapy roll out, Cold Chain Expansion, etc.).

In addition to the above directly linked to C-19/COVAX implementation, the Supply Specialist will:

• Support the Regional Supply Manager in her/his initiatives in moving forward to the Supply Strategies among the Region.
• Engage in regional initiatives for nurturing SAR Supply Community network and related community of practice.
• Engage on broader SCSS initiatives in close cooperation with relevant programs and COs as needed.
• Assist ROSA Operations Team in their Q&A and oversight function on Supply related matters.
• Act as OIC for ROSA S&L Manager during leave periods and/or missions outside of the duty station.
• Undertake any additional related assignment as requested by the supervisor.

Remarks: This consultancy is home based with possible travels in the region.

Duration: 10 months – Consultancy expected to start ASAP in March 2022, until 31 December 2022

Note: Please send your application with financial proposal. Applications without the financial proposal (fees indicated) will not be considered.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development
• *A first University Degree in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with ten (10) years of relevant work experience in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related technical field, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or local languages in South Asia (such as Hindi, Urdu, Pashtun) would be an asset.
• Experience working in South Asia an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• Demonstrated experience in Immunization supply chain management required.
• Experience in health and health supply chain management an asset;
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
• Emergency experience is an advantage.
• Demonstrated prior experience working with UNICEF and full understanding of UNICEF Supply Procedures, Rules and Regulations required.

Language proficiency:

Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

• 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.

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.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.