Re-advertisement: Supply Chain Manager (Health), P4, Fixed Term, Kabul, Afghanistan Post#127477, (Open to Non-Afghan Nationals)

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, Health

The Supply Chain Manager will work closely with the Principal Health Advisor and the Senior Health Advisor, along with both health managers, this post is part of the senior management team of the Health Emergency Response Programme. This post will work in collaboration with the Supply Section to ensure the critical supplies for Afghanistan health system are of high quality, are readily available in adequate amounts and the healthcare service providers are well capacitated to manage their supplies.

How can you make a difference?

The Supply Chain Manager (Health) reports to the Principal Health Advisor/Chief of Health asper the Country Office (CO) set-up and is responsible for managing the supply chains of a medium to large-sized health program and emergency response operations. The supply chain operations include planning, procurement, contracting, customs clearance, warehousing, in country transport and distribution, as well as monitoring of supplies, services for health programmes. This work includes programs supported by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, and encompasses immunization, health in emergency, primary health care and maternal and child health. The incumbent collaborates closely with Supply Section in defining supply interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children, and provides technical and advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management.

Key functions/accountabilities:

Management of the supply component of the health section

Establish the annual work plan for the supplies for the health section; determine priorities and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. Supervise and coach Health supply staff, ensure timely performance management of staff. In collaboration with Supply Section, Supply Division and Regional Office ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team.

Supply chain service delivery and emergency response

Participate in the Country Programme Action Planning and advice on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Health Annual Work Plans. Ensure appropriate planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the supply chain operations, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of products and services. Analyze Health supply spend and establish procurement strategies in consultation with Supply Section based on identified needs, in order to focus on strategic, essential supplies and services that contribute to results for children.

Collaboration with programme and implementing partners

Establish close collaboration with implementing partners including WB, ADB, ISDB among others and other national stakeholders such as MOPH, AFDA, AFIAT, etc through involvement in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of health supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Establish accountability framework with health programmes, for delivery of results for children. Provide supply input to donor dialogue, and support development of supply components of proposals to donors including budgeting for health supplies and services. Support assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society, establishment of Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs), and monitoring of supply components under Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT).

Technical and advisory support to government/national systems

Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective health supply chains for children. Implement capacity development initiatives in health supply chains for children, in close collaboration with Supply colleagues and other programmes. Support supply and logistics components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context. Advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply solutions for children.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Masters) is required in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Pharmaceutical Sciences, International Development, Health or related social science field.  

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly related technical fields is required.

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

• Health supply chain management experience and/or experience in pharmaceuticals supply chains is an advantage.

• Fluency in English is required. 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 of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. 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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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 candidates are encouraged to apply.

 Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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 that 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.