Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the Organization does — in programmes, 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 more 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.

Context

This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF Operations team to support all UNICEF programme delivery in The Gambia. The Gambia is one of the smallest countries in West Africa but one of the most densely populated countries in Africa facing logistics constraints due to its limited market. The Supply and Logistics officer position will ensure timely provision of supplies in The Gambia Country Office.

Task Description

The Supply and Logistic Officer reports to the Deputy Representative Operations for supervision and guidance and supervises the Supply Associate. In this role, s/he will provide technical and operational support as per the Country Office (CO) set-up and is responsible for managing the supply chains of the Gambia CO. The supply chain operations include planning, procurement, contracting, customs clearance, warehousing, in country transport and distribution, as well as monitoring of supplies, services and construction works. The incumbent supports management collaboration with programmes 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. Summary of key functions/accountabilities: a) Supervision of supply team b) Supply Chain service delivery and emergency response c) Collaboration with programme and implementing partners d) Technical, advisory support to government/national systems e) Innovation, products and markets a. Supervision of the supply team • Preparation of the annual work plan for the Supply 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 CO supply chains, including staffing (appropriate staffing structure, timely recruitment, clarity of roles and responsibilities) and contracting of third party services if applicable (e.g. customs clearance, warehousing, transport, distribution) b. Supply chain service delivery and emergency response • In consultation with supervisor, provide input to the Country Programme Action Planning and advice on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Participate in the 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. • Monitor and review supply spend and draft procurement strategies 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 offshore and/or regional procurement and take action to ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country. Maintain appropriate warehousing, inventory management and in-country transport in support of the country programme implementation. Keep stakeholders/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 & logistics strategy based on risk • assessment analysis and Programme assumptions. Ensure an emergency supply and logistics preparedness action plan for the CO is established in line with Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCC), and implemented (establishment of relevant LTAs and frame agreements for emergency response, prepositioning of stock, and training of staff in the country office). • Build strong working relations with Regional Chiefs of Supply/Regional Chief of Operations, as well as Supply Division, to align with global and regional approaches and initiatives in supply chain management. c. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners • In collaboration with supervisor, develop close collaboration with programme sections through involvement in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Establish accountability framework with programmes, for delivery of results for children. • Prepare supply documentation to facilitate input to donor dialogue, and support development of supply components of proposals to donors including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies, services and construction works. • 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). • Participate in events/meetings that build partnerships and collaborative relations with Government, UN organizations and bilateral counterparts in supply and logistics activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement. d. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems • Provide input to promoting of supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children. • Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with supervisor and Supply Division. • Support initiatives for promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices on 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. e. Innovation, products and markets • Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with supervisor and Supply Division. • Support initiatives for promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices on 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. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Competencies and values

i) Core Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) * • 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)

Living conditions and remarks

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.