Health Specialist, (Cold Chain and Logistics) at UNICEF Nigeria

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - In September 2014 UNICEF began implementing a joint programme with UN Women on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) funded by the European Union (EU). The programme will support the Nigerian Government (Federal level), three Northern Nigerian States namely Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau and selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) to strengthen women’s leadership, advance gender equality and improve protection for women and children in conflict settings.

UNICEF is responsible for implementation of Component 2 of the programme, namely ‘to increase access to reporting mechanisms and protective services for girls and women affected by human rights abuses, including gender based violence, in 3 states of northern Nigeria”. This will entail enhancing avenues for reporting of child rights violation and Gender Based Violence in Plateau and Gombe States, strengthening access to and quality of services for children and women who have experienced violence (including gender based violence (GBV), abuse, neglect and exploitation and strengthening the information management system for collecting data on violations.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Health Specialist, (Cold Chain and Logistics) NO-C #90854

Job Number: 494181
Location: Abuja
Work Type: Fixed Term Staff
Level: National Professional (NO-C)
Duration: Two years

Key End-Results

• Through leadership of the Logistics Working Group, strengthen mechanisms for supply of adequate bundled vaccines of good quality and for monitoring, analysing & reporting of key vaccine management parameters.
• Work with NAFDAC to facilitate timely registration for EPI vaccines for smooth procurement processes in line with the FGN/UNICEF Memorandum of Understanding.
• Provide technical support to the NPHCDA to improve functionality and operationalization of the cold chain including the zonal stores; strengthen maintenance and also strengthen mechanisms for dynamic inventory for cold chain and immunization transport.
• Provide technical assistance to NPHCDA to design and implement an LMIS from health delivery points, through LGA(s) and Zones to the Federal level. The technical assistance will focus on both the introduction of the LMIS and the transfer of knowledge and skills to government personnel at national and lower levels of the vaccine storage and distribution system.
• Facilitate assessments in cold chain and vaccine management as part of evidence generation to facilitate inputs for policy formulations & decisions. Three assessments planned are: national cold chain and EPI transport assessment, vaccine distribution assessment states & EVMA followed by developing implementation plans.
• Provide technical support to building capacities of vaccine security and logistics workforce at all levels including supportive supervision to zones and states for monitoring of logistics activities for immunization service delivery in planning, implementation, monitoring, supervision and evaluation of routine immunization and Supplemental Immunisation Activities
• Perform all other official tasks as may be assigned by the EPI Team Leader and the Chief of Health
• Facilitate the logistics and supply functions for the Health Section including Supply Planning and Warehouse stock monitoring.

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:

1.) Provide rapid and relevant responses to evolving supply needs and situations facing children and families, including emergency situations, with a priority on achieving value for money.

• Responsible for logistics/supply planning through coordination with Operations/Programme Sections.
• Provides technical advice on specifications, supply and logistics arrangements facilitating cost-effective efficient procurement, customs clearance, inventory management and distribution of oral polio vaccine, in support of the country programme implementation.
• Participate in the Country Programme strategy planning preview and reviews to advise on supply/logistics requirements for the of Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans.
• Develops Supply/Logistics component of the Country Programme, including systems for storage and distribution of polio vaccine to all sites.

2.) Ensure sound, accurate supply/logistics management systems, procedures and documentation as well as regular, accurate reporting to maintain the highest level of integrity, standards and accountability.

• Establish and maintain contacts with the CCL officer on the vaccine procurement and shipping policies.Interprets and advises the country office on policies and procedures impacting on offshore and local procurement and delivery.
• Act as member of the LWG.Establish and maintain a system of contact with customs and airport immigration authorities at national ports of entry on the clearance of UNICEF supplies, in keeping with established protocol.
• Ensure preparation of all immunization vaccines status reports required for donor reports, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, appeals, etc.
• Regularly create and communicate accurate inventory tracking and incoming supplies information.

3.) Ensure that effective support UNICEF and Government capacity-building efforts are provided in order to enhance efficient, effective and timely vaccine delivery,

• Plan, design and conduct training for UNICEF's staff/consultants and counterparts in supply management, customs clearance, distribution and inventory management of supplies and equipment in order to maximize supply delivery.
• Provide effective coaching to the staff/consultants as required.

4.) Supervise and manage effective procurement, local and/or offshore, with a goal to attain lowest cost without sacrificing quality.

• Conduct market research, identify and recommend potential local suppliers.
• Gather and maintain data on and evaluate local supply sources' overall performance, (competitive pricing, cost-effectiveness and timely delivery,).
• Monitor and assess supply operations and control mechanisms and advises on appropriate actions to take.
• Communicates and reports quality issues with respect to oral polio vaccine.

5.) Collaboration and Partnership

• Coordinate with the Health Section on providing technical advice on procurement specifications of the oral polio vaccine as well as providing advice on requirements in the development of the vaccine component of the Country Programme.
• Provide advice to the LWG on procurement policies and procedures, delivery and utilization of oral polio vaccine.
• Team with the Health Section and other members of the Operations Section to facilitate procurement as well as efficient customs clearance, storage and distribution of the oral polio vaccine.
• Develop and maintain partnership and collaborative relations with UNICEF, Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts in supply and logistics activities including distribution, monitoring polio vaccine inputs, and inventory.
• Inform Programs of slow moving inventory, upcoming field distributions or deliveries, incoming materials and quality issues to ensure maximum use of available transportation, warehousing space, manpower and other resources.

Job Grade Factors [1]

NOC

• Manage all immunization vaccines supply operations.
• Make technical/operational decisions relating to policy application at the country level. Advice on all immunization vaccines supply requirements and assist in developing the supply component.
• Make technical/operational decisions on urgent issues relating to oral polio vaccine specification, timing and budgeting.
• Conduct market research to identify and recommend potential local suppliers.
• Identify training needs of UNICEF staff, consultants and counterparts and develop training activities.
• Act as member of the LWG.
• Maintain the oral polio vaccine monitoring system and participate in report compilation.
• Proactively strengthen the supply chain of the oral polio vaccine.
• Liaise with the LWG on changes in the supply chain e.g. deviations from the delivery schedule or changes to the material constitution.
• Analyze and submit all immunization vaccines vaccine arrival report to the Immunization manager.

Qualification and Competencies
Education:

• University Degree in Physical Sciences or Engineering and Advanced degree in a related area of study.
• Equivalent educational qualification in relevant areas (transport or logistics operations/management, supply management, etc.)

Work Experience:

• Five years of relevant professional work experience at national providing technical support in the area of logistics, supply chain management, cold chain and similar activities.
• Fluency in English is a requirement.
• Knowledge of Supply Chain Management preferably in a developing country context
• Mastery of technical knowledge (product knowledge, market research/analysis) required for Supply Management/Purchasing/Contracting (e.g., vaccine, equipment, medical supplies, contracts, customs function, taxation, insurance, etc.)
• Knowledge of managing inventory, transport, and diverse logistics operations (e.g., programme supply & logistics) in the international environment
• Experience in managing temperature sensitive pharmaceutical products (private or public sector) across the country
• Experience in successfully managing maintenance programmes for refrigeration equipment at scale will be considered an advantage
• Experience in the expanded programme on immunization or management of health commodities will be considered an advantage.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English is requirement.

Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer to the UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)

i.) Core Values (Required)

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

ii.) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication [II]
• Drive for Result[II]
• Working With People [II]

iii.) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Applying Technical Expertise [II]
• Deciding and Initiating Actions [II]
• Following Instructions and Procedures [II]
• Leading and Supervising [II]
• Planning and Organizing [II]

iv.) Technical Knowledge

a.) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)

• Knowledge of Supply Chain Management preferably in a developing country context
• Mastery of technical knowledge (product knowledge, market research/analysis) required for Supply Management/Purchasing/Contracting (e.g., vaccine, equipment, medical supplies, contracts, customs function, taxation, insurance, etc.)
• Knowledge of relevant Information Technology software

b.) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

• Knowledge of managing inventory, transport, and diverse logistics operations (e.g., programme supply & logistics) in the international environment
• Knowledge of supply/contracting/logistics policies, goals, strategies,and approaches
• Knowledge of public procurement principles and processes
• Knowledge of procurement process from procurement planning, to execution to contract management and administration, including procurement methods and tools of good procurement practice
• Knowledge of establishing strategic, long term and sustainable procurement arrangements
• Knowledge of general principles and processes involved in risk management in procurement, including risk analysis and evaluation techniques
• Knowledge of financial and legal implications in procurement process-
• Knowledge of category management.

c.) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

• UNICEF Supply Function goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies. (E.g., SUPDIRs, PROs, Executive Directives, )
• Rules and regulations of supply and programme manuals and instructions. (E.g., Supply Field Manual, Programme, Policy and Procedures Manual).
• Financial circulars and rules, regulations and manual.
• Administrative and Human Resources Rules and Manuals.
• Information and Communication Technology administration.
• UNICEF emergency programme and operations policies, strategies, procedures and approaches.
• Rights-based and Results-based management and programming approach in UNICEF.
• Mid-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP); Country Programme Management Plan (CPMP).
• International Code of Conduct
• UN and UNICEF policies and approaches on supply issues involved in harmonization of operations in the common system.
• UN and UNICEF security operations and guidelines.
• Government regulations and laws in the locality (e.g., customs clearance, VAT and other taxation systems).

Application Closing Date
15th March, 2016.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidate should:
Click here to apply online