Supply Chain Specialist at UNICEF

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 chance…

UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2019-2023) is aligned with the Government of Malawi’s Growth and Development Strategy (MDGS III) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The programme supports the Government of Malawi to meet its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights in line with international conventions and standards. The country programme is guided by the principles of children’s rights, equity, gender equality, inclusion and resilience, and supports evidence-based, integrative and innovative programming. The vision is that ‘all girls and boys in Malawi, especially the most disadvantaged and deprived, realize their rights’.  The programme focuses on: early childhood (parenting, high-impact social services, early stimulation and learning), middle childhood and adolescence (learning, multi-sectoral services, active citizenship), communities (decentralized services and systems, community ownership, social norms), programme effectiveness (monitoring, evaluation, HACT, Innovation, Social Protection and Social Policy and External Communication.  The programme is based on ‘leaving no child behind’, realizing ‘rights for all children in Malawi’.

UNICEF supports the Government of Malawi in the implementation of the Master Supply Chain Transformation Plan (MSCTP) 2021-2026 that serves to leverage the supply chain management gains made in Malawi and to support the achievement of supply chain integration. As Supply Chain Specialist, you will be expected to provide technical guidance and operational support to the Government of Malawi towards its effort to strengthen systems that improve the quality of care for women and children.

How can you make a difference?

The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic Supply Team where you will be responsible for fulfilling UNICEF contribution in the implementation of the Master Supply Chain Transformation Plan (MSCTP) 2021-2026 through the provision of systems strengthening advisory services and the management of strategic supplies and equipment. In your role, you will  be under the overall guidance and supervision of the Supply and Procurement Manager.

This job therefore presents a unique and significant opportunity for a qualified, vibrant, motivated and committed person to contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children with professional excellence and by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to – you are however encouraged to read the attached and detailed job description   in order to  view the full role and its requirements:

1. Manage the end-to-end procurement system for strategic and essential supplies and equipment, including through procurement services mechanism.
2. Manage the National Supply Chain System Strengthening agenda in line with the National Strategic Plan.
3. Manage the National Health Supply Chain System Strengthening training needs through defining training needs, developing strategies to achieve targets and coordinating training activities.
4. Manage partnerships and collaborative relations with Government, the UN, and bilateral counterparts in the Supply Chain System Strengthening portfolio.
5. Act as secretary to the National Drugs & Medical Supplies Technical Working Group.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Management, Business Administration, Management, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics or a directly-related technical field(s) is required.
• A valid professional certification from an accredited supply management institution is considered an asset*.

*A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with seven (7) years of          relevant work experience in supply, procurement, logistics, purchasing, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related              technical fields, may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree (Master’s).

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional work experience, at the national and international levels, in programme planning, management, monitoring and evaluation, supply, logistics and/or procurement, particularly within the pharmaceutical and supply management systems is required.
• Previous work experience in the Sector-wide Approach to programming or Planning (SWAP) framework and arrangements for procurement services and supply chain management is highly desired.
• Previous hands-on experience liaising with major donors involved in procurement and, especially relative to the provision of technical support and to effectively represent the organization in related technical working groups, will be considered and asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset.

Technical knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of national supply chain systems strengthening programmes in developing context is required.
• Knowledge and experience in managing pharmaceutical supply chain is required.
• Technical skills in supply chain programme development and planning is required.
• Technical skills in procurement strategies is required.
• Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset
• Proven networking and partnership building skills are an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English, both strong verbal and written skills, is essential.

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://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

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.

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.

Remarks:

The position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

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

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID).

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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 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/.

This vacancy announcement is open to all internal staff and other UNICEF personnel, including individuals holding Temporary Appointments (TA) and Individual Contractors (IC) who perform staff functions on a full-time basis and UNVs.

Priority consideration will be given to staff on the mobility lists, staff on abolished post and staff returning to service and on SHA.

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

UNICEF Malawi is seeking individuals who are motivated to make a real difference and serve the children of Malawi with resourcefulness, resilience, creativity, and professional excellence.