Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS IICA3
Target Start Date2024-06-01
Job Posting End DateMay 1, 2024
Terms of Reference1. General Background
UNHCR annually procures and delivers approximately $1.5 billion worth of goods and services, the majority of which are procured locally, across the more than 120 country operations. To meet the ever-growing needs of forcibly displaced people, SMS is committed to propel UNHCR’s supply chain to a new maturity level. Our vision is to deliver high-quality goods and services better and faster across UNHCR and to people forced to flee, by making it Simple, Swift and Sustainable. The new Supply Strategy is supported by a new ERP system (Oracle Cloud), and a new Supply Operating Model that, inter-alia, introduces a category management approach to procurement of goods and services.
By implementing its Operational Strategy on Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability (2022-2025),1 UNHCR aims at improving the sustainability of the end-to-end supply chain. SMS is implementing this innovative strategy placing a specific focus on sustainable procurement, with a lifecycle view of “Value for Money” in product contents, specifications and manufacturing process, through proactive product knowledge, market intelligence, evaluation criteria and contract management of selected goods and services.
In addition, SMS offers extensive logistics backing to UNHCR’s global humanitarian operations, ensuring swift responses pre- and post-disasters. Transport and logistics are pivotal in the humanitarian sector but contribute to the global CO2 emissions. Additional focus is required to reduce source markets concentration, CO2 emissions from international freight, and inventory ageing in country operation warehouses; while improving the reliability of our procurement strategies, the quality and durability of our goods, as well as the internal ownership and lifecycle cost-benefit for all goods and services.
1 Operational Strategy on climate and environmental sustainability (2022-2025)
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2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
In the context described above, this broad agenda calls for bold and organization-wide thinking, as incremental improvements no longer suffice. To this end, UNHCR seeks the professional services of an expert Senior Category Manager to lead a small team of Category managers in delivering the requirements for growing our Procurement maturity levels towards an effective and comprehensive Category Management approach. The scope of this role includes the following key elements:
• Analyze UNHCR procurement model, including spend analysis, sourcing and suppler risk analysis, key performance gaps, as well as other market-related vulnerabilities, and identify key strategic improvements.
• Identify key established markets and products for strengthening UNHCR positioning, as well as untapped or emerging markets and suppliers for further engagement.
• Verify suppliers’ compliance with sustainable practices and provide recommendations of improvement and innovation.
• Cooperate with UN entities and other humanitarian organizations in achieving sustainable development goals, focusing on innovation, learning, and enhancing procurement efficiencies, through Mutual Recognition or other arrangements.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures related to procurement, supply chain management, and sustainability.
The incumbent will contribute to further embed efficiencies and sustainability in SMS supply, ensuring technical knowledge of sustainable measures and practices in procurement, and promoting increased adherence to sustainability of UNHCR supply chain and regular coordination with other Units in addition to other daily activities guided by Head of Unit.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The incumbent will report to the Chief of Section, who will monitor the progress of following major activities and milestones:
• Track and identify trends and best practices to improve sustainability in sourcing strategies. Make recommendations for improvements to procurement documentation and processes by proposing sustainable and streamlined solutions.
• Review different products and suppliers, to evaluate product composition, quality, sustainability, and durability, analyze manufacturing and marketing strategies, and proactively inform relevant internal decision-makers for increased efficiency.
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• Review UNHCR’s market positioning of selected non-competitive markets and/or products, and advise, in a clearly documented manner, on procurement strategies that can ensure UNHCR achieves a competitive outcome and best value for money even through non-competitive processes.
• Advice requesters on the most appropriate sustainable practices and verification methods to select suppliers for the procurement of specific goods and services.
• Support the development of innovative procurement tools to select suppliers and monitor their performance such as requirements, evaluation criteria, indicators, practices and procedures, with a focus on sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct aggregate spend analysis globally, to identify cost and time saving opportunities.
• Support local and regional sourcing analyses and identify opportunities for expanded market intelligence and diversification of sourcing strategies, within local and regional contexts.
• Review outlier or trending procurement practices and decisions systematically, to evaluate UNHCR procurement risk and, in consultation with SMS Compliance team, evaluate the opportunities for proactive risk mitigation mechanisms.
• Develop and conduct regular briefings, information sharing, and training sessions for relevant UNHCR personnel on relevant category management topics, and as applicable, to external audiences.
• Contribute to conducting supplier surveys to identify sustainable and ethical practices, available standards and certificates, quality and traceability methods.
• Assist in identifying methods and tools to measure and improve sustainable procurement actions.
• Assist in risk management assessment to identify, prevent and mitigate actual and potential adverse impacts which can be related to employment, human rights, the environment, bribery, and others.
• Maintain all relevant internal databases providing reliable and accurate information enhancing data quality and preparing reports as requested.
• Contribute to evaluating and monitoring the performance of suppliers and service providers to ensure that they meet sustainability criteria, including respect for human rights and environmental standards.
• Support preparation of tender documents, contracts, submissions to the Contracts Review Committee and other procurement related documents
• Collaborate and work with UN Agencies and humanitarian organizations.
• Perform other related tasks as requested.
Skills:
Proven system-wide /big-picture analytics and technical writing skills and ability to articulate complex procurement requirements, balancing strategic needs within an ecosystem of commercial and humanitarian actors.
• Strong commitment to environmental preservation, circular economy, innovation and sustainable development.
• Strive to live up to high ethical and professional standards.
• Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
Work Experience (List number of years and area of required work experience. Clearly distinguish between required experience and experience which could be an asset.)
• Minimum of 9 years of experience at the professional level in progressively responsible functions, specializing in category management in procurement, sustainability and logistics; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
• In-depth knowledge of supply chain management.
• Solid leadership experience; within a context where the primary decision-making process is through influential / consultative approaches.
c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies, or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies.)
• Proven experience in category management or related roles
• Good understanding of Procurement operation management within an international context.
• Experience in working for humanitarian organizations/International organizations/NGOs/Public Sector.
• Knowledge of market research techniques and familiarity with market research tools.
• Outstanding analytical, problem-solving, and organizational abilities, with a high success rate as an influential leader.
• Strong commitment to environmental preservation, circular economy, and sustainable development.
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• Strive to live up to high ethical and professional standards.
• Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Advanced knowledge of a second UN Official language.
• Proficient in MS Office.
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Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Supply Chain Management, Bachelor of Science (BS): Engineering, Bachelor of Science (BS): Natural Science Management
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
Home-BasedNo