The Position:
The Last Mile Assurance Associate position is located in the Country Support Team in the UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU). You report directly to the Last Mile Assurance Analyst. The Last Mile Assurance (LMA) process aims at obtaining visibility on how UNFPA programme supplies are managed at different levels of the supply chain, allowing for better programming, targeted supply chain systems strengthening interventions, increased UNFPA and Implementing Partner (IP) accountability, and improved ability to discharge UNFPA's fiduciary obligations to donors.
The position requires the ability and willingness to travel on short notice as part of its core responsibilities. Acceptance of the job offer signifies agreement to comply with this requirement.
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 Last Mile Assurance Associate will provide foundational support and ensure a smooth day-to-day LMA process.
Main Task and Responsibilities
. Support the LMA process to achieve:
● Review and propose updates to the LMA process and guidelines, including data collection, processing, analysis, and reporting systems, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
● Develop and monitor the annual LMA work plan and calendar, including Supply Chain Overview, Quarterly Stock Review, and Risk Assessments, while managing budgets and ensuring the implementation of action plans.
● Identify third-party service providers and consultants, managing their engagement and ensuring quality deliverables for LMA activities.
● Develop training materials and facilitate workshops for UNFPA Country Offices and partners, supporting them in LMA processes and addressing audit recommendations.
● Collaborate with Country Offices and partners to develop and monitor remedial action plans and supply chain strengthening recommendations.
● Aggregate LMA results, maintain dashboards, and prepare regular reports for internal and external stakeholders, maintaining continuous communication and coordination.
● Review and assess the implementation of Transformative Action activities and supply chain interventions, regularly following up with Regional and Country Offices on progress.
B. Capacity Strengthening
• Support the implementation of UNFPA's capacity-strengthening initiatives.
• Train supply chain professionals whenever possible and support their development through sharing knowledge and experience.
C. Thought Leadership, Knowledge Sharing and Advisory
• Appreciate UNFPA's supply chain thought leadership through awareness and incorporating such initiatives into the overall approach to day-to-day activities.
• Actively contribute to an environment of knowledge retention and sharing by following best practices for supply chain implementation.
• Support improved supply chain execution by incorporating best practices and continuous improvement into day-to-day activities.
D. Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
• Support UNFPA’s value proposition and relationships with donors and partners.
• Assist with the preparation of SCMU’s resource mobilization proposals in particular with data and analysis.
E. Collaboration and Representation
• Maintain effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders within UNFPA to ensure coordinated and effective tailored solutions for each area of intervention.
• Maintain relationships with supply chain counterparts with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of UNFPA’s supply chain function.
• Attend and participate as required in SCMU and UNFPA in meetings related to supply chain management functions.
F. Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Chief, SCMU.
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
● Completion of secondary education is required.
● A University degree at Bachelor Level in Medical Science, Pharmacy, Supply Chain Management, Public Health, International Development, Logistics, Business Administration, Economics, Data Science, Accounting and Audit is an asset
● A professional certification such as professional Supply Chain Management certification such as Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) at Level 2 Certificate and/or Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT-UK) at Level 2, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), GDP/GMP certification, and/or professional certifications in quality management systems such as ISO 9001 would be an asset.
Knowledge and Experience:
● A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience covering areas such as supply management, quality assurance of medical products in the supply chain particularly involving storage and distribution, supply chain monitoring and evaluation and logistics information systems is required. Candidates with experience in the below key areas, with the understanding that these experiences may overlap have added advantage:
○ Advanced knowledge of relational databases, spreadsheets, and data analysis and visualization tools, such as Tableau and/or Power BI.
○ Experience in supporting the development of standard operating procedures.
○ Experience in delivering in-person and remote training.
○ Experience in SCM data analytics and assurance activities
● Strong interpersonal skills and capability to develop and maintain broad diversified partnerships is required, team management skills is an asset
● 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) is required.
● Experience working in a matrix organizational structure is an asset.
● Basic knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of sexual and reproductive health commodities in global development and the humanitarian community 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 Functional Competencies:
• Ability to collaborate with relevant stakeholders within UNFPA to ensure coordinated and effective tailored solutions for each area of intervention.
• Ability to maintain relationships with supply chain counterparts
• Attend and participate as required in SCMU and UNFPA in meetings related to supply chain management functions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and capability to develop and maintain broad diversified partnerships is required.
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
• Communicating for impact
• Client orientation
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