UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

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, Our Future,

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Under the direct supervision of the Logistics Specialist, the Logistics Officer performs highly skilled work on UNICEF supply chains, and manages the more complex cases and client requests, which frequently require the evaluation of difficult situations and adaptation of procedures and processes to resolve such cases. This is the National Officer level for specialized supply chain work and requires advanced specialized knowledge acquired through formal training and experience. Responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring all aspects of warehouse, transport, and distribution operations and inventory management of program supplies at the Rumbek warehouse.

The function is characterized as highly independent and provides opportunities to lead and carry out responsibility for end-to-end supply chain management from the beginning to the end of the process and provide input into the design and development of improved supply chain services and delivery mechanisms.

The incumbent will have supervisory responsibility for all local staff at the warehouse to support the logistics operations, while ensuring adequate oversight for and control of all warehouse-related activities to strengthen accountability, warehousing and inventory control system for supplies procured by UNICEF

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS 

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end results.

Supply Chain Service Delivery and Response

Planning:

• In consultation with the supervisor, provide input to the Country Programme Action Planning and advise on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Participate in the forecasting, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the supply chain operations, including the establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of products and services.

In-country logistics:

• Provide logistics input to the supply plan, including advising on infrastructure constraints (e.g. customs clearance, port capacity, transport options, and warehousing capacity) and different delivery mechanisms. Advise on budget requirements for various delivery modalities and ensure the establishment of budget with clients.
• Liaise with supply colleagues as well as clients and use supply dashboards to ensure pipeline monitoring and establishment of appropriate logistics capacity. Monitor progress of offshore and/or regional procurement and take action to ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country. Perform research, collect data, and conduct analysis, produce reports, and ensure information accuracy in corporate systems to enable informed decision-making.
• Provide specialized support in logistics, following standard processes and contributing, directly or indirectly, to the effective receipt and delivery of program supplies. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to support logistics operations management and contribute to effective service delivery.
• Identify needs for contracting of logistics third-party services (e.g. customs clearance, warehousing, transport, distribution) and manage contracting of such service providers including establishment of KPIs and performance monitoring mechanisms.
• Manage documentation processing for execution of logistics operations (e.g. customs clearance, invoice verification), and take appropriate actions to resolve operational issues, escalating complex issues to the supervisor.

Warehousing and inventory management:

• Manage UNICEF warehouse facilities and operations in line with UNICEF policies and procedures. Assess warehousing capacity including facilities, conditions of equipment, manpower, and processes. Propose corrective actions to the supervisor. Assess new warehouse facilities when required. If necessary, implement and organize new warehouse facilities which may include the installation and assembly of temporary warehouse structures (e.g. Rub Halls).
• Maintain appropriate warehousing and inventory management processes in support of the country program implementation. Ensure accurate and complete accounting, reporting, and internal control systems are in place, and relevant records are properly maintained.
• Assess the availability of space and prepare stacking and storage plans to ensure appropriate storage and optimize the use of space.
• Supervise receipt of consignments and dispatch of supplies.
• Prepare stock reports. Monitor inventory to track trends and account for the inventory status from source to beneficiary. Carry out regular physical counts of inventory in the warehouse. Prepare documentation for commodity disposal through the Property Survey Board committee.

Alternative delivery mechanisms and procurement services:

• Support assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society, for the establishment of Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs), and monitoring of supply components under the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT).
• Participate in events/meetings that build partnerships and collaborative relations with UN organizations to support harmonized and collaborative procurement and logistics arrangements.
• In collaboration with Supply colleagues and Programme Sections, identify opportunities for capacity building of Government counterparts and improving the supply chain process to make it more effective.

JOB GRADE FACTORS

Level 1

– Administer the supply operations of a small size country office or assist a higher-level supply officer in a large country or area office.

– Provide professional assistance to the supply operations with responsibility of a less complex nature with a limited scope of impact on the quality and delivery of supplies and services.

• Provide technical and operational advice on proper interpretation and application of policy and procedures in consultation and coordination with supervisor, management, and/or Supply Division, as appropriate.
• Make recommendations of a technical nature on supply specifications, delivery, and methods of transport.

IMPACT OF RESULTS

The Logistic Officers’ impact is founded on the provision of input into the design and development of improved services, systems, and delivery processes. The impact directly affects the quality and timeliness of the delivery of a range of different specialized services for which the unit is accountable. Working with a high degree of operational independence and being accountable for the achievement of overall service delivery results to clients. Their client interface focuses on handling of specialized and complex supply chain processes and delivery of services to clients. They liaise with concerned clients and with suppliers to solve issues on purchase orders, contracts, delivery, and payments. These relationships are important to ensure that service standards and deadlines are met, and that proposals and actions adhere to policies and rules. Collaboration with partners and Governments is also applicable.

 QUALIFICATION and COMPETENCIES

Education

University degree in Supply Chain Management or Business Administration or Management or Logistics or Procurement or related areas of technical specialization.

Work Experience

• A minimum of one year of progressively responsible professional work experience in logistics operations and management.
• Experience of working within complex warehousing.
• Experience of supervising warehousing staff.
• Health supply chain management is an advantage.

• Experience of using excel to report and analyze data

Language Proficiency 

Excellent English skills, both verbal and written, are essential.

Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it;

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability and Sustainability

Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

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.

Remarks:

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.

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 are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees who 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.

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