Contracts Officer, P-2, WSEC, Supply Division, Copenhagen, Denmark, Temporary Appointment (364 Days) #130366

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, an Education

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

 Strategic office context:

The Water, Sanitation and Education Centre (WSEC) is part of Supply Division and centralises the contracting and procurement of WASH, Education and Project Support commodities for all UNICEF offices, and SD warehouse hubs focusing on optimizing emergency response and access to affordable and quality assured goods on timely manner. WSEC is responsible for establishing global long term procurement arrangements for respective portfolios.

The role will be providing pro-active independent coordination of contractual support in respective team, being responsible to end-to-end supply chain transactions and ensure accurate and timely completion of transactions and tasks on daily basis, focus on emergency response in compliance with procedures and coordination with appropriate parties. Special focus of the post will be to provide oversight and data analytics to the transactional cone of the work, including reporting, past procurement trends by supplier and commodities, analyses on the market and future trends etc.

 How can you make a difference?

The Contracts Officer reports to the Contracts Manager, WASH (water, Sanitation and Hygiene) in WSEC, Supply Division.

The contracts officer provides contractual and transactional support and is responsible for managing the procurement and supply chains of WASH contracting team that includes planning, procurement, contracting, inspection, delivery, warehousing, transport, as well as monitoring of supplies and emergency orders.

 You will be accountable for: 

1. Supervision of the supply team

• Preparation of the annual work plan for the contracting team; assist in determining priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitoring work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Supervise and coach team members, ensure timely performance management of staff. In collaboration with Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team.
• In consultation with supervisor, ensure establishment and maintenance of operational capacity to handle workload and priorities, including staffing (appropriate staffing structure, timely recruitment, clarity of roles and responsibilities).

2. Procurement and supply chain service delivery and emergency response

• In consultation with supervisor, provide input to Annual Work Plans, mid-year review, mid-term review and OMP preparation. Participate in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the operations, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of products and services.
• Monitor and review supply spend and draft procurement strategies/notes based on category management in order to focus on strategic, essential supplies and services that contribute to results for children, and support the establishment of long term agreements (LTAs) where relevant. Maintain highest level of integrity, ethical standards and accountability in the procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction work.
• Monitor progress of WASH procurement and take action to ensure timely delivery of supplies entering the country. Maintain appropriate stock level in SD warehouse and SD controlled hubs, including Emergency Supply list stock at Sd and with suppliers. Keep relevant partners informed on the progress. Implement appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews.
• Analyze supply dashboards, implementation rates of key performance indicators and supply information/data from various systems and conduct root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, with a view to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Participate in the development of an emergency supply list and strategies to support emergency response. Ensure monitoring of emergency orders and timely delivery of supplies.

3. Collaboration with UN agencies, UNICEF offices and Divisions

• In collaboration with supervisor, develop collaboration with other UNICEF offices and division, other UN agencies in designing and implementing best solutions for WASH procurement and ensure value for money in delivering results for children.
• Prepare supply documentation, reports, data analyses to facilitate dialogue with suppliers, partners and country offices.
• Build strong working relations with other centres and units in Supply Division, Regional and country offices to align with global and regional approaches and supply plans management.
• Participate in events/meetings that build partnerships and collaborative relations with suppliers, UN organizations and bilateral counterparts in WASH procurement activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement.

4. Technical and advisory support to country offices and partners

• Provide input to promoting of supply chain strengthening and WASH procurement management initiatives with country and regional offices, to ensure efficient and effective delivery of WASH commodities for children.
• Provide input to capacity development initiatives in the area of WASH procurement in close collaboration with the team.
• Prepare relevant supply reports to facilitate advisory support to supervisor and management in defining and determining supply solutions for children, such as use of procurement services; procurement modality and instruments, local procurement etc.

5. Innovation, products and markets

• Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products in close collaboration with supervisor, Technical Manager and Product Innovation Centre.
• Support initiatives for promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices on procurement and supply chain management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient supply chains for children.
• Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, support initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant, including in collaboration with MSFC on market shaping initiatives, price increase for raw materials etc.

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

Education

• A university degree is required in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related technical fields is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
• Emergency experience an advantage.
• Supply chain management experience an advantage.

Required technical knowledge and skills:

• Good analytical skill and negotiating skills.
• Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and material resources.
• Ability to supervise and direct a team of professional and support staff.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organisation.
• Fast learner, adapts and responds to change, tolerates ambiguity.
• Ability to contribute to formulation of strategies and policies.
• Good knowledge of latest developments and technology in supply chain management.
• Good understanding of supply chain processes, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, logistics and delivery, monitoring and evaluation.
• Good knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of supply chain issues, ethics and risk management of supply chain operations.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

 For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The core competencies required for this post are:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

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

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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). 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