The Position:

The Inventory Control and Accounting Specialist (Team Lead) position is located in the Inventory Control and Accounting Team within Pillar 4 – Support Services in the Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU). The position reports directly to the Head of Pillar 4 – Support Services. The Inventory Control and Accounting Specialist Team Lead will work closely with other SCMU colleagues, other HQ Business Units particularly with the Finance Branch, the Regional Offices and the Country Offices and with a number of external partners.

The Inventory Control and Accounting Specialist (Team Lead) is tasked with developing and maintaining processes and controls to ensure the accurate recording of inventory transactions and adherence to UNFPA policies and procedures.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA occupies a unique position in the sexual and reproductive health commodity ecosystem as a critical player in supply chain management, a leading public procurer of sexual and reproductive health commodities, a trusted partner to national governments, and one of the few organizations with the scale and partnerships necessary to build accountability for last mile delivery.

The UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) is self-funded and was made operational in January 2022. It is tasked with ensuring that UNFPA is able to effectively and efficiently support the delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and other programme supplies to the end user when and where they are needed. To achieve this, it is important to strengthen the capacity of governments and implementing partners to ensure coordination, end-to-end visibility and accountability on all supply chain and logistics management related activities, in particular for programme supplies, across all UNFPA programmes.

Job Purpose:

The Inventory Control and Accounting Specialist (Team Lead) plays a critical leadership role in overseeing the implementation of a robust inventory control mechanism, fostering a culture of accountability, and driving continuous improvement. The position will provide strategic oversight and management of a dedicated team.

You would be responsible for:

You will be responsible to support the Head of Pillar 4 – Support Services with:

A. Strategic leadership and management of Inventory Control and Accounting function:

• Perform cost accounting analysis and ensure accurate and timely recording of inventory transactions in UNFPA’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, including periodic account closure activities and year-end processes for Prepositioned Stock.
• Oversee compliance on inventory management in the Country Offices for programme supplies in accordance with UNFPA’s policies and procedures.
• Facilitate accounting closure and financial reporting for inventory management, liaise with auditors, prepare audit responses, oversee inventory adjustments, and write-off processes.
• Prepare and finalise inventory management performance reports, identify key risks and non-compliances, and recommend management actions to enhance inventory control and efficiency.
• Support and implement activities related to UNFPA’s Governance, Risk, Compliance and Reporting function.

B. Capacity Strengthening

• Developing and implementing UNFPA’s capacity-strengthening initiatives.
• Advocate for the training of supply chain professionals
• Coach and mentor UNFPA personnel to strengthen their capacity to provide informed technical guidance in the supply chain management function.

C. Thought Leadership, Knowledge Sharing and Advisory

• Champion UNFPA’s supply chain thought leadership through actively engaging with industry experts, participating in relevant forums, contributing to research and publications, and representing UNFPA’s expertise in various supply chain management discussions and initiatives.
• Support environment for knowledge retention and sharing and the creation of a community of practice for supply chain.
• Provide counsel and support on the full range of inventory and financial management issues, incorporating best practices and continuous improvement across UNFPA.

D. Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

• Contribute to the development of UNFPA’s value proposition and relationships with donors and partners.
• Support SCMU’s collaboration with the Division for Communication and Strategic Partnerships to diversify funding opportunities.
• Support SCMU’s oversight of resource mobilisation proposals for quality assurance purposes

E. Collaboration and Representation

• Establish effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders within UNFPA to ensure coordinated and effective tailored solutions for each area of intervention.
• Support relationships with key supply chain partners with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of UNFPA’s supply chain function.
• Represent SCMU and UNFPA in meetings related to inventory and financial management functions.

F. Team Management (if applicable)

• Create a conducive working environment aligned with UNFPA’s 2030 People Strategy.
• Lead and supervise team.
• Support all team members with a collegial approach towards achieving a common goal.

G. Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Chief, SCMU.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree is required. An advanced degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Risk Management, or other related fields is an added advantage.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant, progressively responsible experience in financial management; inventory management, accounting, and control; and/or a related area. Candidates should demonstrate experience in the below key areas, with the understanding that these experiences may overlap:
  • At least three (3) years of experience in providing support and guidance to diverse and senior level stakeholder groups or multi-stakeholder partnerships in development and/or complex humanitarian operating environments in low-resource countries on inventory management, accounting, and control. Candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of the unique challenges and regulations specific to these contexts.
  • Additionally, at least two (2) years of experience in leading the business to redesign an ERP system development for inventory management, accounting, and control.
• Demonstrated expertise in change management, with a strong track record in guiding teams through significant organisational changes.
• Experience in managing a team, particularly within a remote and/or matrix organizational structure is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and capability to develop and maintain broad diversified partnerships is required.
• Professional written and spoken presentation skills, including for the development of reports, presentations, and the ability to synthesize complex supply chain documents for both technical and non-technical audiences is required.
• Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is required.
• Basic knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of sexual and reproductive health commodities in global development and humanitarian setting is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Organizational leadership and direction,
• Ensuring operational effectiveness and accountability for results,
• External and internal communication and advocacy for results mobilization,
• Managing the organizations financial resources,
• Providing procurement services,
• Aligning human resources management with the organization’s strategic direction

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging staff and partners,
• Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance,
• Making decisions and exercise judgement

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.