Supply & Logistics Manager, P-4, Fixed Term, Post#88985, Bangui - CAR

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF. For every child, the right to Education How can you make a difference? Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 1. Management of the Supply section 2. Supply Chain service delivery and emergency response 3. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners 4. Technical, advisory support to government/national systems 5. Innovation, products and markets 6. Construction management and coordination 7. Cold chain and Vaccine Team management 8. UN80 alignment and positioning of the CAR Country Office 1.Management of the Supply section

• Establish the annual work plan for the Supply section; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Supervise and coach section staff, ensure timely performance management of staff. In collaboration with Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team.
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of operational capacity to handle CO supply chains, including staffing (appropriate staffing structure, timely recruitment, clarity of roles and responsibilities) and contracting of third party services if applicable (e.g. customs clearance, warehousing, transport, distribution) 2. Supply chain service delivery and emergency response
• Participate in the Country Programme Action Planning and advice on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Ensure appropriate 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.
• Analyze supply spend and establish procurement strategies based on category management in order to focus on strategic, essential supplies and services that contribute to results for children, including establishment of long term agreements (LTAs) where relevant.
• Ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country and establish appropriate warehousing and inventory management practices, including appropriate in-country transport.
• Ensure appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews are established and applied.
• 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.
• Develop an emergency supply & logistics strategy based on risk assessment analysis and Programme assumptions. Ensure an 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).
• Participate in high level emergency coordination, implementation and monitoring meetings with internal and external partners and establish close collaboration with Logistics Cluster/National Logistics Working Group if such is activated/existing.
• Establish strong working relations with Regional Chiefs of Supply/Regional Chief of Operations, as well as Supply Division, to align with global and regional approaches and initiatives in supply chain management. 3. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners
• Establish 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.
• Provide supply 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).
• Develop and maintain partnership 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
• Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Implement capacity development initiatives in the area of supply chains for children, in close collaboration with programme colleagues. Support supply components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context.
• 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 Supply Division.
• 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, run initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant. 6. Construction management and coordination
• Plan, manage and coordinate construction and rehabilitation works supporting programme delivery in the CAR Country Office, in line with UNICEF policies, national regulations and context requirements.
• Ensure end to end oversight of construction projects, from planning and procurement to supervision, certification and handover, ensuring quality, compliance, cost control and timely delivery.
• Coordinate closely with programme sections, government counterparts and implementing partners to align construction activities with programme priorities and country needs.
• Ensure proper documentation, reporting and handover of completed works in accordance with UNICEF accountability and audit standards. 7. Cold chain and Vaccine Team management
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for vaccine and cold chain supply chain management, including forecasting, procurement planning, inbound logistics, storage, distribution and monitoring of vaccine-related supplies.
• Supervise and support the Cold Chain/Vaccine team; ensure clear roles, workplans, performance management and continuous capacity development.
• Strengthen cold chain equipment management, including inventory and asset tracking, preventive maintenance planning, repair workflows, spare parts management and end-to-end functionality monitoring.
• Ensure effective temperature monitoring and quality assurance practices (including data review and follow-up) and drive actions to reduce wastage, stock-outs and exposure to temperature excursions.
• Coordinate with Government EPI, programme sections and partners on vaccine distribution planning, last-mile delivery solutions and emergency preparedness for immunization responses. 8. UN80 alignment and positioning of the CAR Country Office
• Contribute to Country Office planning and implementation efforts aligned with UN80, including operational efficiency, harmonization and common services opportunities impacting supply and logistics.
• Represent/coordinate supply and logistics inputs in inter-agency forums as requested (e.g., UNCT/OMT working groups), and help position UNICEF CAR with evidence-based operational improvements and results.
• Identify and drive opportunities for joint procurement, shared warehousing/transport, and harmonized vendor management with UN agencies and partners, ensuring compliance with UNICEF policies and risk management requirements.
• Track, document and report on UN80-related supply/logistics initiatives, including benefits realization (cost avoidance, lead time reduction, service quality) and lessons learned to inform decision-making and reporting. To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Minimum requirements: Education: An advanced university degree is required in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field, or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is required. *A first level university degree (Bachelor's) 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 taken in lieu of an advanced university degree. Work Experience: A minimum of eight (8) 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. Understanding of development and humanitarian work. Emergency experience an advantage. Health supply chain management experience an advantage. Skills : Ability to resolve difficult, complex and sensitive situations often under pressure. Ability to initiate and manage change in a diverse environment. Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form. Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and material resources. Ability to supervise and direct a team of professional and support staff. The ability to allocate appropriate time and resources for successful achievement of goals, and foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning. Ability to implement clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, identify priority activities and assignments, adjust priorities as required. Ability to work strategically to realize organizational goals, develop strategies, set clear visions. Advanced communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders. Skill in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges in the field and propose changes. Strong understanding of supply chain processes, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, logistics and delivery, monitoring and evaluation. Strong overall knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of supply chain issues, ethics and risk management of supply chain operations. 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. Desirables: The ability of the Supply and Logistics Manager to successfully plan, manage and oversee the effective and efficient supply chain management of goods, services and construction works for UNICEF programmes and the Government, directly impact on program goals and results for children. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility of UNICEF as an effective and responsible manager of funds entrusted to the organization and to furthering UNICEF image as a competent organization for delivering cost effective and sustainable program results for children. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. (This criteria is essential as a desirable and should be included in all job postings.) 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 (8) Leads and manages people. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels. UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance. 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially. 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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible Person with a disability 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. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities. 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. Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.