Regional Chief of Supply & Procurement at UNICEF

The Regional Chief of Supply and Procurement advises and provides guidance, oversight, and direction to the Regional Office and all County Offices within Eastern and Southern Africa Region on supply chain issues, including procurement services, through direct support, capacity building, development of the supply community, and strategic promotion of supply-program integration in support of the Country Programme.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Technical Assistance and Oversight

• Provide leadership, technical advice, logistical support, oversight, and guidance on the application of procurement, supply chain, and procurement services procedures, regulations, systems and strategies, and best practices for the management and improvement of the supply chain in ESAR countries. Promote knowledge of and compliance with supply procedures.
• Track and monitor all COs key performance indicators and provide support for improvements.
• Conduct supply function management oversight and peer reviews and/or follow-up on audit observations to assist in the improvement of supply procedures and practices in ESAR Country Offices.
• Support Country Offices to identify, define and determine innovative supply solutions for children, such as the use of procurement services; supply financing solutions; local market development; supply chain digitalization, private sector engagement, market shaping, and support for innovation in product development.
• Conduct analysis of supply spending and related procurement strategies, run initiatives to ensure local market development where possible and appropriate.
• Support HR in supply competency analysis and propose appropriate staffing strategies to address gaps, in particular training new supply professionals and encouraging on the job training designed to improve the operational performance and efficiency of personnel. Assist and support the recruitment of supply and logistics staff in ESAR.
• Support the RMT and standing committees meetings as and when necessary to identify supply trends and requirements.
• Provide support to COs to comply with sustainable procurement objectives including conducting inclusive procurement, ensuring disability and gender inclusive considerations.

 Emergency preparedness and response

• Ensure CO preparedness efforts include required Supply and Logistics components being put in place, including emergency preparedness strategy and supply plans, relevant service and goods LTA’s established contingency stocks are maintained where required, and in-country logistics arrangements established. Explore possible supply sources from within the region to support sustainable procurement initiative.
• Ensure strong coordination between CO, RO, and SD and inter UN Agencies collaborations, including for the mobilization of human and financial resources.
• For L3 and L2 level emergencies, provide direct operational support to facilitate procurement of emergency supplies, regional and in-country logistics and manage sub-regional response where multi-CO efforts are required. Ensure response plans are aligned with the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCC).
• Monitoring of supply and logistics response and providing oversight for at-scale delivery modalities. 
• Support COs to put in place private sector partnerships and CBO/CSO agreements in support of the emergency response.

Support systems strengthening of national supply chain systems

• Provide technical assistance to country offices to support systems strengthening of the government supply chain systems.  
• Implement capacity-building initiatives in an efficient and effective supply chain for children, in close collaboration with programme sections. Support supply component of Health System & Nutrition Strengthening (HSS) and integration.
• Provide technical assistance and support for the humanitarian-development continuum.
• Liaise and work with all stakeholders especially WHO and donors to support/strengthen Government’s institutions such as the National Medicines and Control Authorities/NRAs etc in the region to ensure that children have timely access to quality and cost-effective life-saving supplies. Liaise with key stakeholders to advocate, promote and strengthen manufacturing base to facilitate local and regional procurement in contribution to the UNSDGs and UN Sustainability Strategy.
• Support COs to resolve complex supply operational issues in supply chain problem areas including construction projects, disability inclusion, ethical challenges etc. Promote knowledge of and compliance with supply procedures.

Capacity building of supply community in the region

• In collaboration with Supply Division, develop training modules and guidelines for supply and logistics staff and as appropriate, facilitate country training courses for Country Offices, national counterparts, and UN, and NGO partners. Strengthen regional and inter-regional professional networks.
• Establish a strong regional supply community and build the capacity of COs supply capacity to implement the global supply function strategies and regulatory framework.
• Build staff capacity to carryout procurement activities in support of the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, UNICEF Strategic goals among others. and UN Disability Inclusion strategy.

Collaboration and Partnership with internal and External Stakeholders

• Promote the work of UN Inter Agencies collaboration, partnership and ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Regional Logistics Working Group effectively to support the UN Cooperation Framework.
• Support COs to build strong supply-programme integration and promote effective partnership and collaboration with all sectors in the delivery of results for children.
• Ensure close working relationship with key external stakeholders like the Africa CDC, Rwanda Supply Chain Centre of excellence, and Governments and sub regional bodies like SADC

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Business Administration, Management or related field.
• A minimum of ten of relevant professional experience in supply, procurement, shipping and logistics activities, preferably with UNICEF or an international/government/commercial organization some of which should be in a senior management capacity.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.