Senior Logistics Associate, G-7, Fixed-Term Appointment, Kenya Country Office, Nairobi #131179 (Open to Applicants with authorization to work in Kenya)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, reimagine the future.

How can you make a difference?? 

Supply Chain Service Delivery and Response

Planning:

· In consultation with 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 establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose and end-user verification/monitoring of products and services.

· Support supply and logistics emergency preparedness and response activities including establishment of Long-Term Arrangements (LTAs), Procurement and Logistics Capacity Assessment and Contingency Plan update, and pre-positioning of stock.

In-country logistics: (specialized)

· Provide input on the logistics component of the supply plan, logistics costs calculations, including advising on infrastructure constraints (transport options) and different delivery mechanisms. Keep track of demurrages and detention charges. Negotiate with transporters for waiver of demurrage/detention charges whenever required. Calculate budget requirements for various delivery modalities and ensure establishment of budget with the colleagues from the respective programme sections.

· Liaise with supply colleagues as well as clients and using 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 the area of logistics, following standard processes and contributing, directly or indirectly, to the effective delivery of programme 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 support contracting of such service providers including establishment of KPIs and performance monitoring mechanisms. Liaise closely with service providers to ensure smooth flow of supplies into the country and through in country logistics delivery modalities.

· 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.

· Prepare dispatch and acknowledgement reports. Monitor dispatches to track trends and account for the dispatches status from source to beneficiary. Carry out regular review of dispatches and prepare documentation required where complexities arise during dispatch processes 

Warehousing and inventory management: (specialized)

· Manage UNICEF central and peripheral 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 supervisor. Assess new warehouse facilities when required. If necessary, implement and organize new warehouse facilities which may include installation and assembly of temporary warehouse structures (e.g. Wiik-Halls/Rub Halls).

· Maintain appropriate warehousing and inventory management processes in support of the country programme implementation. Ensure accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are in place, and relevant records are properly maintained.

· Assess availability of space and prepare stacking and storage plans to ensure appropriate storage and optimize 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 Property Survey Board committee.

· Support Warehouse and Inventory assessments and capacity building of partners and counterparts

Alternative delivery mechanisms and procurement services:

· Support assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society, for establishment of Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs), and monitoring of supply components under 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.

· Facilitate Procurement Services (PS) transactions in collaboration with programme sections and UNICEF Supply Division (SD). As appropriate, support CO counterparts on forecasting and costing of PS-channel supplies. Monitor the issuance of Purchase Orders (POs) and/or Copenhagen Warehouse Stock Transfer Orders on PS Sales Orders. Follow up with SD and UNICEF freight forwarders as needed on timely delivery/shipment of PS orders. Support communications and follow up with COs with regard to partnership requests and negotiations as required.

· Maintain up-to-date files for all Procurement Service transactions, including a system for monitoring the different stages of each transaction.

· Monitor the incoming pipeline of PS shipments. If required based on the division of responsibilities agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cost Estimate (CE), supervise the arrival, customs clearance, storage, packing and in-country distribution of PS commodities to the agreed delivery point.

· 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.

Partnership, coordination and collaboration:

· Support effective working relations with other agencies, local authorities and implementing partners through information exchange, collaboration, and harmonization. Cooperates with other UN agency counterparts in the UN reform initiatives (including common LTAs, bulk procurement, etc.).

· Support national emergency logistics coordination structures and ensure alignment of UNICEF supply contribution and technical assistance with processes, systems and principles established under the same.

· Supporting in designing and delivering training, capacity building for external IPs (PCA partners, government counterparts, etc.) and internal stakeholders.

Other duties/responsibilities:

· In cases where the incumbent has managerial responsibility of lower-level GS staff, the incumbent will ensure timely and effective performance management of staff, providing practical advice and guidance to ensure individual and team objectives are met.

· Provides practical input on implementation of guidelines in the area of supply and logistics, in close coordination with the supervisor and/or Dep Rep Ops.

· Supports supervisor and eventually Dep Rep Ops, and updates staff on supply and logistics policies, procedures rules and regulation. Implements the appropriate application and interpretation of S&L rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

· Contributes to recommendations on the improvement of internal controls systems taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.

· Keeps supervisor abreast of potential problem areas, prepares reports on supply and logistics matters as required.

· In collaboration with supervisor, Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, provide input to help ensure knowledge exchange and learning is prioritized to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team. Develop and facilitate training of newcomers, establish processes or manuals to support effective workflows.

IV. Impact of Results

The Senior Logistics Associate’s 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, Senior Associates are accountable for the achievement of overall service delivery results to clients. Their client interface focuses on handling of advanced and complex supply chain processes and delivery of services with 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. The Senior Associate’s work relationships require skills to promote understanding and acceptance of regulations, rules and procedures and/or otherwise improve client services. External contacts involve liaising with similar organizations for collaboration, research and data/information gathering to compile and assess best practices. Furthermore, extensive external contact with suppliers is required, including to negotiate or clarify unique, complex issues or processes. Collaboration with partners and Governments is also applicable.

UNICEF values and competency Required (based on the updated Framework)

i) Core Values

· Care

· Respect

· Integrity

· Trust

· Accountability

· Sustainability

Core Competencies 

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

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to supply chain, logistics, business administration, contract/commercial law, or another relevant technical field.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain management or a commercial context is required. Understanding of development and humanitarian work is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

Skills

· In-depth knowledge of the concepts, methodologies relevant to the area of work including the relevant supply chain policies, partnership mechanisms, rules and regulations, as well as general knowledge of other related fields.

· High level of proficiency or skill is required in the interpretation and application of specialized rules and regulations to particular circumstances of complex individual cases.

· Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF office tools.

· Demonstrated understanding of the relevant supply chain processes and ability to consistently apply relevant policies, procedures and good practices in the daily work. Good judgement in order to handle complex cases including considerations for exceptions.

· Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, suppliers, contractors and colleagues and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor.

· Ability to use supply related modules within UNICEF ERP system.

· 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 and logistics related decisions on key issues.

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

The 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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. 

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.