Vacancy Announcement - Senior Supply Associate, G-7 (FT), Patna, India, SAR Post No 64212 (Open for Indian Nationals Only)

Contract

This is a G-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 1,363 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, AN ADVOCATE

In an effort to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver better results for children, there is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens addressing inequity not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Click here to learn more about what makes us proud working for UNICEF!

How can you make a difference?

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

Job Organizational Context & Purpose for the job:

The Senior Supply Associate performs highly skilled work on UNICEF supply chains, and manages the more complex cases and client requests, which frequently requires the evaluation of difficult situations and adaptation of procedures and processes to resolve such cases. This is the senior GS level for more specialized supply chain work and requires advanced knowledge acquired through formal training and experience.

The function is characterized as highly independent and provides opportunities for Associates to lead and carry out responsibility for end-to-end supply chain management from the beginning to the end of the process and provide input into the design and development of improved supply chain services and delivery mechanisms.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

Supply Chain Service Delivery and Response

Planning:

• In consultation with supervisor, provide input to the Country Programme Action Planning and advise on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Participate in the forecasting, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the supply chain operations, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose and end-user verification/monitoring of products and services.
• Support supply and logistics emergency preparedness and response activities including establishment of Long-Term Arrangements (LTAs), Procurement and Logistics Capacity Assessment and Contingency Plan update, and pre-positioning of stock.

Procurement/contracting:

• Provide input to and advice on the annual supply plan. Conduct data review and analysis for category management and development of procurement strategies. In collaboration with supervisor, develop procurement management strategies and best practices which help to strengthen supply chain systems which significantly contributes to Programme results. Conduct market research in relevant areas for UNICEF and advice on best approaches to obtain best value for money and sustainable procurement. Support product innovation and market shaping initiatives for specific categories of supplies and services.
• Liaise with clients in planning procurement and contracting initiatives, supporting development of appropriate specifications, terms of reference, and logistics arrangements and timelines. Identify opportunities to strengthen sustainability of supply chains.
• Ensure establishment of Long-Term Arrangements (LTAs) and act on specific procurement requisitions as might be required. In consultation with supervisor, review and provide inputs on Terms of References for service contracting and specifications for goods. Review technical evaluations to ensure equal assessment of suppliers and that scores are commensurate with comments. Prepare and process Request for Quotations (RFQs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), as might be requested by the Supervisor. Organize bid openings and conduct technical and financial analysis of offers as might be required, as well as coordinate sample evaluations and supplier sites inspections. Conduct pre-bid meetings, clarifications and negotiations with suppliers and contractors. Maintain highest level of integrity, ethical standards and accountability in the procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction work. Support potential suppliers to register through the United Nations Market Place platform (UNGM).
• Prepare requests for award including submissions to Contract Review Committee. Prepare purchase orders and Institutional Services contracts in SAP (ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning system), and submit for relevant approvals, ensuring completeness of documentation in UNICEF systems.
• Keep stakeholders/partners informed on the progress. Liaise with suppliers and contractors, ensuring timely follow-up on delivery schedules and coordinate quality assurance inspections. Implement appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews. Monitor expiry of contracts and take timely action for renewal and/or closure.
• Ensure appropriate filing of procurement cases and maintain up to date records for future reference including for audit.
• Prepare procurement and supply reports (open SO, PR and Institutional Services Contracts), goods and services delivery reports. Conduct procurement analysis and provide inputs to reporting to management and programme colleagues on procurement status, timelines, trends and KPIs.

In-country logistics:

• Provide logistics input to the supply plan, including advising on infrastructure constraints (e.g., customs clearance, port capacity, transport options and warehousing capacity, warehouse security and warehouse handling services) and different delivery mechanisms. Advise on budget requirements for various delivery modalities and ensure establishment of budget with clients.
• Liaise with supply colleagues as well as clients and using supply dashboards to ensure pipeline monitoring and establishment of appropriate logistics capacity. Monitor progress of offshore and/or regional procurement and take action to ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country. Perform research, collect data and conduct analysis, produce reports and ensure information accuracy in corporate systems to enable informed decision-making.
• Provide specialized support in the area of logistics, following standard processes and contributing, directly or indirectly, to the effective delivery of programme supplies. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to support logistics operations management and contribute to effective service delivery.
• Identify needs for contracting of logistics third party services (e.g., customs clearance, warehousing, transport, distribution) and support contracting of such service providers including establishment of KPIs and performance monitoring mechanisms. Liaise closely with service providers to ensure smooth flow of supplies into the country and through in country logistics delivery modalities.
• Manage documentation processing for execution of logistics operations (e.g., customs clearance, invoice verification), and take appropriate actions to resolve operational issues, escalating complex issues to the supervisor.

Warehousing and inventory management:

• Manage UNICEF central and peripheral warehouse facilities and operations in line with UNICEF policies and procedures. Assess warehousing capacity including facilities, conditions of equipment, manpower, and processes. Propose corrective actions to supervisor. Assess new warehouse facilities when required. If necessary, implement and organize new warehouse facilities which may include installation and assembly of temporary warehouse structures (e.g., Wiik-Halls/Rub Halls).
• Maintain appropriate warehousing and inventory management processes in support of the country programme implementation. Ensure accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are in place, and relevant records are properly maintained.
• Assess availability of space and prepare stacking and storage plans to ensure appropriate storage and optimize use of space.
• Supervise receipt of consignments and dispatch of supplies.
• Prepare stock reports. Monitor inventory to track trends and account for the inventory status from source to beneficiary. Carry out regular physical counts of inventory in the warehouse. Prepare documentation for commodity disposal through Property Survey Board committee.
• Support Warehouse and Inventory assessments and capacity building of partners and counterparts

Alternative delivery mechanisms and procurement services:

• Support assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society, for 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 UN organizations to support harmonized and collaborative procurement and logistics arrangements.
• Facilitate Procurement Services (PS) transactions in collaboration with programme sections and UNICEF Supply Division (SD). As appropriate, support CO counterparts on forecasting and costing of PS-channel supplies. Monitor the issuance of Purchase Orders (POs) and/or Copenhagen Warehouse Stock Transfer Orders on PS Sales Orders. Follow up with SD and UNICEF freight forwarders as needed on timely delivery/shipment of PS orders. Support communications and follow up with COs with regard to partnership requests and negotiations as required.
• Maintain up-to-date files for all Procurement Service transactions, including a system for monitoring the different stages of each transaction.
• Monitor the incoming pipeline of PS shipments. If required based on the division of responsibilities agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cost Estimate (CE), supervise the arrival, customs clearance, storage, packing and in-country distribution of PS commodities to the agreed delivery point.
• In collaboration with Supply colleagues and Programme Sections, identify opportunities for capacity building of Government counterparts and improving the supply chain process to make it more effective.

Partnership, coordination and collaboration:

• Support effective working relations with other agencies, local authorities and implementing partners through information exchange, collaboration, and harmonization. Cooperates with other UN agency counterparts in the UN reform initiatives (including common LTAs, bulk procurement, etc.).
• Support national emergency logistics coordination structures and ensure alignment of UNICEF supply contribution and technical assistance with processes, systems and principles established under the same.
• Supporting in designing and delivering training, capacity building for external IPs (PCA partners, government counterparts, etc.) and internal stakeholders.

Other duties/responsibilities:

• In cases where the incumbent has managerial responsibility of lower level GS staff, the incumbent will ensure timely and effective performance management of staff, providing practical advice and guidance to ensure individual and team objectives are met.
• Provides practical input on implementation of guidelines in the area of supply and logistics, in close coordination with the supervisor and/or Dep Rep Ops.
• Supports supervisor and eventually Dep Rep Ops, and updates staff on supply and logistics policies, procedures rules and regulation. Implements the appropriate application and interpretation of S&L rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Contributes to recommendations on the improvement of internal controls systems taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.
• Keeps supervisor abreast of potential problem areas, prepares reports on supply and logistics matters as required.
• In collaboration with supervisor, Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, provide input to help ensure knowledge exchange and learning is prioritized to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team. Develop and facilitate training of newcomers, establish processes or manuals to support effective workflows.

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

Education:

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to supply chain, procurement, logistics, business administration, contract/commercial law, or another relevant technical field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain management or a commercial context is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://www.unicef.org/careers/get-prepared#Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Core Competencies:

• 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)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

• The position is based in Patna, India.
• This vacancy announcement (VA) is open for Indian Nationals only.
• The selected applicant will have an initial two (2) year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited / recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.
• UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

For more information about UNICEF India, please refer to the link below: - http://unicef.in/Wherewework