Procurement Services Manager, (P-4) at The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Procurement Services Manager, (P-4)

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment type: Contract

Job Summary

• We are looking for a Procurement Services Manager, to become part of a highly motivated and committed team of over 400 staff who work to bring visible changes in the lives of the most disadvantaged children in Nigeria.

Job Description

• Under the supervision of the Chief Supply, the Procurement Services Manager provides strategic leadership, forecasting and procurement guidance, and coordination of technical support, financing, and fundraising to the Government for strengthening national supply chain systems and ensuring availability of key health and nutrition commodities.
• This position also works with local partners, such as the World Bank, USAID, the National Product Supply Chain Planning Team, the Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and the National Logistics Working Group to develop and update the national strategies, tools and guidance on supply chain policies, procedures and systems.
• This position works with Headquarters teams in Supply Division, the Regional Office, and Country Office colleagues to shape and coordinate technical assistance and trainings to national counterparts to meet and build upon minimum standards in relation to:
  • Forecasting, financing, procurement, and tracking of health and nutrition commodities, including vaccines, immunization devices, RUTF, micronutrient supplements, medical equipment, cold chain equipment, and oxygen systems;
  • Development of local manufacturing partners;
  • End user monitoring and stock management practices to prevent stock-outs, wastage, and pilferage;
  • International arrivals, customs clearance, transport and storage solutions, including outsourcing;
  • Overall design of supply chain systems, including alternative modes of transport and integration with other health programmes.
  • The function is characterized as highly independent, strategic, managerial, and experienced in system strengthening efforts, modalities, and opportunities.
  • The position will require a continuous improvement mindset, outlining, prioritizing, and implementing opportunities for improvement in internal controls and management.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide support and guidance to Key Counterparts at National levels and INGOs on PS  planning and transactions through regular communications, training and workshops and visits, as required.
• In coordination with Supply Division, deliver PS Key Accounts as well as complex and large requests and projects.
• Ensure proactive management of UNICEF Nigeria’s Procurement Services activities and relationship with the Government .
• Monitor overall PS transactions (Requests, Cost Estimates, Funding, Orders, and Shipments) and facilitates the efficient and effective PS workflow by addressing the bottlenecks and gaps and improving the processes, in close coordination with PS Centre in SD and National Counterparts.
• Contribute to SD Workshops, special/other events. Provides training on PS, particularly with regard to transaction management.
• Provide advice to the Country Office, Government and implementing partners on offshore and/or local procurement of goods and institutional services policies and procedures, Procurement Services and GAVI Co-financing; delivery and utilization of UNICEF supplies and equipment; coordinate with the Supply Division, Copenhagen, on supply policy and/or activities.
• Engage with Government partners, UNICEF Nigeria Field Offices, and SD on innovative financing opportunities, such as the Vaccine Independence Initiative pre-financing and the Child Nutrition Match Fund.
• Work with Programme Sections (such as Health and Nutrition), Supply Division and partners to develop/update tools and guidance on policies, procedures and systems; and provide support through ROs and COs to implement at country level.
• Provides support, as needed, in training counterparts and undertaking Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessments; and in developing and implementing the EVM-based Improvement Plan.
• On-going review of the tools and methods in the vaccine management for refining and improving them.
• Develop and maintain partnership and collaborative relations with UNICEF, Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts in supply/logistics and institutional services activities including distribution, monitoring supply inputs, and inventory.
• Participate in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.
• Manage the Procurement Services Unit in the Supply Section, overseeing data collection, quality control, resource management, budgeting needs, and career development of national staff.
• Serve as Supply Section Officer-in-Charge when needed to ensure proper policies and procedures are followed in the Supply Section, information is shared with the Country Management Team and Operations Leadership, and Human Resource needs are addressed.

Minimum Requirements
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Supply chain management or Public Health or Program management, or other academic qualifications in similar areas, and relevant experience.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in supply chain, logistics, immunization, or related areas; of which at least 2-4 years in developing countries.
• Knowledge of the UNICEF Procurement Services process from Forecast through Cost Estimates, Purchase Orders, and Funds Utilization.
• Demonstrated experience in supply chain system strengthening activities in support of governments
• 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.

Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of immunization supply chain topics, including forecasting, procurement, storage, and distribution of cold chain vaccines and related ancillary commodities, such as syringes.
• Strong knowledge of UNICEF logistics systems and processes, including the ability to use supply related modules within UNICEF ERP system, such as the Supply Chain Dashboard.
• Expertise with MS Excel, including calculations, pivot tables, and dashboards. Experience using other MS tools, such as Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, suppliers and colleagues and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor.
• Ability to establish priorities and plan his/her own work and plan, coordinate and monitor the work of those under his/her supervision.
• Ability to draft clear and concise reports or rationale for supply-related decisions on key issues.
• Ability to resolve difficult, complex and sensitive situations often under pressure.
• Advanced communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of latest developments and technology in logistics.
• Language Requirements: 
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

Application Closing Date
11st October, 2024.