Supply Unit Lead at World Health Organization

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• The ultimate mission of the supply unit lead (henceforth referred to as the “unit lead”) is to ensure that emergency-affected populations have access to timely and effective health services.
• This includes the procurement, supply, and transportation of materials and other medical and non-medical consumables for emergency preparedness, detection, and response activities.
• In the absence of the OSL manager, the unit lead may act as officer-in-charge.

Description Of Duties

The specific duties for the position include but are not limited to:

Strategic Planning, Coordination and Management

• Develop health supply chain management plans, processes, and tools to guide supply chain activities at the hub and country levels.
• Ensure that relevant staff within EPR are aware of and adhere to appropriate standards, procedures, and policies.
• Collaborate closely with counterparts at the respective hubs, regional office, headquarters (HQ), as well as other WHO partners.
• Manage and motivate staff.

Supply chain management (procurement, custom clearance, transport, distribution etc.)

• In compliance with the WHO rules and regulations, based on a comprehensive forecast of the supply needs, plan an end-to-end and timely provision of adequate supplies, equipment, and consumables for the health emergency operations.
• Facilitate customs clearance, reception, transportation, storage, and distribution of supplies to the respective areas and populations.
• Manage and minimize the risks (for example operational or reputational) that could affect or interrupt the supply chain.
• Develop new and existing relationships with suppliers.

Warehousing and stock management

• Oversee WHO warehouses and inventory; implement stock control mechanisms at hub level and country level.
• Maintain the required stockpiles of essential medical items and equipment at hub level and country level.
• Undertake regular field assessments to monitor supply management, stock movements, and storage conditions at hub and country levels.
• Collaborate with the health logistics unit lead to ensure all quality standards are met.

Operations support

• Collaborate with operations unit lead to ensure that adequate operations support is provided to emergency preparedness and response activities (i.e., Housing, transport, etc.).
• Collaborate with other OSL unit leads to set-up country offices, in coordination with other unit leads.
• Supervise the management of the fleet vehicles at hub level.

Monitoring, evaluation, and learning

• Monitor and report regularly to the OSL manager, drawing their attention to needs, gaps and problems, and proposing remedial actions.
• Document best practices for operations management processes and ensure lessons learnt are shared across the organization.
• Collaborate with M&E teams to ensure reporting in due time and form.

Required Qualifications

Education

Essential:

• A Master’s level university degree in supply chain or other related fields (i.e., business business administration, logistics, transport, etc.)

Desirable

• Training and Certification in ERP
• Professional certification in Supply Chain, SCOR, CIPS, etc.
• Leadership or management training

Experience

• At least 10 years of operational experience in managing supply chain in emergency operations context.
• Experience coordinating supply chain during major operations such as emergency outbreaks, peace operations, large medical and or food distribution industries.
• Prior work experience within a recognized humanitarian or international non-governmental organizations.
• Experience in using SAP/ERP systems in a large organizational setting.

Desirable

• Experience working in a regional setting in support of multiple offices is desirable.
• Familiarity with Incident Command System (ICS) and Incident Management System (IMS).

Skills

The candidate will have a thorough knowledge of:

• Emergency planning and preparedness at the local, and regional levels.
• The background and objectives of emergency management programs, administrative practices, and procedures.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated IT skills with emphasis on databases management to monitor supplies and inventory and forecast needs.

The Candidate Will Have a Strong Ability To

• Set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments with minimum direction.
• Communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with co-workers, high-level officials, public organizations, and the public to exchange or convey information.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Prepare clear, concise, accurate, and effective reports, correspondence, informational packets, and other written materials.
• Perform superior organizational, project management, problem-solving, and multi-tasking skills.
• Maintain composure and function effectively in potentially challenging circumstances.
• Logically analyze problems, interpret data, determine alternatives, and propose solutions.
• Engage with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Remain calm under pressure and maintain a reserved disposition when dealing with a crisis, so as not to provoke further worry in others.
• Be adaptable and able to make quick decisions as situations change/evolve.
• Anticipate hazards and issues that might arise during an emergency to prepare for contingency.
• Perform detailed data and information analyses and make recommendations.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use Of Language Skills

• Essential: Excellent knowledge of English
• Desirable: Knowledge of another UN official language would be an asset