Supply Chain Specialist

UNICEF

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job ? it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Love

The Organizational Context

Under the supervision of the Supply Chain Manager, Traceability, and Digitalization, the incumbent will work closely with colleagues in SCSC, Supply Division, Programme Division, Regional Offices, Country Offices, and stakeholders.

Purpose of the Job

The Traceability and Verification System (TRVST) is a digital solution that enhances traceability and verification processes for health products across the supply chains. UNICEF developed it in collaboration with the Verification and Traceability Initiative (VTI) stakeholders to combat the risks associated with falsified products and strengthen national supply chains. TRVST has been successfully implemented in Nigeria, Rwanda, and Nepal, with plans for deployment in other countries. Partners have pledged additional funding to UNICEF to sustain its operations. UNICEF seeks to engage a supply chain manager to support the TRVST deployment across targeted countries. The manager will implement TRVST, ensure integration with existing systems, and provide training and support to local stakeholders.

How can you make a difference?  

Summary of Key functions/accountabilities

The incumbent will use his/her technical knowledge and specialized experience to support deploying the TRVST system in countries with a specific focus on the African region. The Supply chain specialist will be involved in other activities to ensure the smooth operation of TRVST. Additionally, the incumbent will work closely with his/her supervisor to foster alignment with global best practices, streamline processes, and enhance interoperability to optimize efficiency and traceability throughout supply chain operations in support of countries where we work.

Key accountabilities include:

• Deployment of TRVST.
  • Collaborate with UNICEF country/regional offices and stakeholders at national and regional levels to assess the requirements for TRVST deployment.
  • Develop deployment plans tailored to each country's needs and context, ensuring alignment with overall project objectives.
  • Coordinate the implementation of TRVST deployment activities, including Enterprise Agreement signing, system setup, configuration, data upload, and user training.
  • Provide technical support and guidance to stakeholders throughout the deployment process, addressing any challenges or issues that may arise.
• Capacity building.
  • Conduct training sessions for relevant personnel on using and managing the TRVST system.
  • Develop training materials, manuals, and guidelines to support capacity-building initiatives.
  • Facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development to enable local teams to utilize and maintain the TRVST system effectively.
• Monitoring and operations.
  • Establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact and effectiveness of TRVST deployment.
  • Collect and analyze data on system usage, performance, and user feedback to identify areas for improvement.
  • Generate regular reports on the progress of TRVST deployment, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and recommendations for future actions.
• Technical support.
  • Collaborate with technical teams to address system bugs, enhancements, and customization requests as needed.
  • Stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices in traceability and verification to inform continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaboration and Coordination.
  • Work closely with the Supply Chain Manager and other relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with digitalization and traceability initiatives.
  • Participate in meetings, workshops, and conferences to share insights, lessons learned, and best practices related to TRVST deployment.
  • Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among countries and partners.

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

The following minimum requirements:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Information Technology, Public Health, Supply Chain Management and Logistics Management, or Project Management is required.

*A first University degree may be considered in lieu of Advanced university degree in conjunction with two additional years of relevant work experience.

Work Experience:  

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in a professional capacity in supply chain management in the public or private sector.
• Proven experience deploying digital solutions, preferably in the context of supply chain management or public health in Africa.
• Knowledge of GS1 standards and electronic logistics management information system (eLMIS).
• Strong technical skills, including proficiency in database management, software implementation, and user training.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders at various levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team with a proactive and solution-oriented approach.
• Knowledge of information systems and data management in resource-limited settings
• Ability to write reports and prepare presentations for high-level and technical audiences. 

Desirables:

• Work experience in an international setting and/or development cooperation is advantageous.
• Being familiar with traceability and verification systems, supply chain processes, and public health programs in low-resource settings, particularly in Africa.
• Fluency in French (written and oral)
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (written and oral)

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: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are?

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

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, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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 appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF's active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and all suitable are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

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Sector: Community/Social Services/Nonprofit

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100%

Job type: Staff (Temporary)