Background

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional Hubs and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes.  BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

The 2030 Agenda for SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development, including widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of health threats. The scope and scale of delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing. As affirmed in the Political Declaration of the 2019 High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and others are critical partners for delivering on the health-related goals of the 2030 Agenda.  Stronger Collaboration, Better Health: Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All outlines how a dozen multilateral health, development and humanitarian agencies, including UNDP, the Global Fund, Gavi and others will collaborate to be more efficient and effective in supporting countries to deliver UHC and achieve the health-related SDG targets. 

UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund, in line with UNDP’s HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021: Connecting the Dots, makes a vital contribution to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind. 

As a long-standing partner of the Global Fund, UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance to Global Fund grants in 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach in supporting to countries with significant national capacity constraints to manage large-scale health programmes. By providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management, UNDP is able to deliver results whilst sustainably transitioning to national entities. UNDP’s track record as PR over the last 17 years and capacity to deliver in challenging operating environments has been critical for strengthening its positioning as a health implementation support partner.

Based on demand from Country Offices, and building on the relationships, expertise, systems, partnerships, including across the UN family, and comparative advantage established through the Global Fund partnership, the GPN/BPPS/Global Fund Partnership/Health Implementation Support Team (GF/HIST, Global Fund Partnership Team) is providing support to Country Offices through three overarching modalities: 1) the Global Fund portfolio, 2) health procurement and supply chain management support, and 3) other health implementation support beyond the Global Fund, including Gavi-funded activities and Solar for Health. The GF/HIST provides its support through a country team approach to strengthen and integrate the different functional capacities (e.g., programmatic, procurement/SCM strengthening, finance, capacity development), leveraging technical assistance and policy support from the HHD Group and other GPN teams. This is done working in close collaboration with Regional Bureaux, Central Bureaux, including BMS and the Global Health Procurement Centre.

In line with established best practice, UNDP has a Quality Assurance (QA) Policy for all health products supplied by UNDP. The UNDP QA Policy is a key document for all parties involved in health procurement activities across UNDP as well as for national partners, suppliers and donors as it details UNDP’s requirements for health procurement, which are in line with international best practice.  Regular monitoring and oversight of the implementation of the QA policy, and support to its implementation, is under the responsibility of BPPS/Global Fund Partnership Team.   

Under the direct supervision of the Manager, GF/HIST and in close coordination with the Chief, Procurement Support Unit, the Senior Health Procurement and Supply Chain Management Advisor shall lead the strategic development, advisory and coordination support to UNDP Country Offices and governments in managing the specialized procurement and supply chain management requirements in line with UNDP rules, policies and procedures. S/he will have oversight of the development, implementation and monitoring of the UNDP QA Policy for health products and issues relating to non-compliance and corporate reporting. The Senior Health Procurement and Supply Chain Management Advisor promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations, contributing to the country team approach and support to the integration of capacity building activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Under overall supervision and guidance of the Manager, GF/HIST, the Senior Health Procurement and Supply Chain Management Advisor is responsible for the development of the overall strategy for procurement and supply chain management and quality assurance for Global Fund programmes and other health initiatives, with the following key responsibilities:   

  • Lead the development of the overall strategy for procurement and supply chain management that can be accepted by UNDP and by main partners, including the Global Fund which reflects UNDP’s rules, policies and procedures, audit recommendations and the objectives of UNDP’s HIV, Health and Development Strategy;
  • Guide and manage the priority goods and/or services required for health procurement programmes; analyzes the global market and identify potential suppliers and business partners to pursue new opportunities ensuring value for money and mutually beneficial terms;
  • Analyze and recommend solutions to complex problems frequently encountered in the implementation of procurement activities as reflected in progress reports, Office of Audit and Investigations audit recommendations and feedback from Country Offices and Bureau of Management;
  • Oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the UNDP QA Policy for health products and under the overall direction of the Manager, provide oversight for issues of non-compliance and corporate reporting and provide strategic guidance and technical support and oversight in quality assurance;
  • Develop, establish, maintain and monitor partnerships, global Long-Term Agreements for procurement and supply chain management (from quantification to distribution) and Service Level Agreements;
  • Develop and monitor key procurement and supply chain management programme results and set of performance indicators against which to regularly report progress; and
  • Working closely with BMS, ensure strong collaboration with the Global Health Procurement Centre.

2) Ensures strategic human resources management and supervision of the specialized health procurement staff, with the following key responsibilities:   

  • Facilitate effective collaborative work planning and implementation processes to meet the GF/HIST work plan objectives and outputs, including the QA Policy and the achievement of results within the resources allocated; 
  • Build and create a positive team environment where team members are able to perform optimally, respond to challenges creatively and collaboratively in line with the Country Team approach, and access coaching and mentoring as needed;
  • Establish schedules and priorities for procurement and supply chain management and QA activities in close cooperation with Country Offices, regional hubs, procurement counterparts, Global Fund colleagues and other technical partners;
  • Oversight of recruitment process and performance management systems ensuring link of job design with recruitment, performance management and career development;
  • Establish and maintain a roster of specialized consultants to support Country Offices, governments and civil society organizations achieve programme results and building capacity and health systems; and  
  • Ensure the compliance of procurement and operations with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, implementation of cooperate operational strategies, monitoring of results and effective collaboration with the Global Health Procurement Centre. 

3) Advisory and support services to Country Offices and governments in the area of health procurement and supply chain management, with the following key responsibilities:

  • As part of the Country Team, provides high level technical advisory services to Country Offices and governments, for health system strengthening, in the area of procurement of health commodities, quality assurance and supply chain management;
  • Provides strategic technical advice to Country Offices for the formulation of Project Documents, Procurement and Supply Management Plans, work plan and budgets for Global Fund funded programmes and other health initiatives;
  • Lead policy advice and technical support for Country Offices for CAP and ACP submissions; and
  • Provide capacity building (on procedures and best practices of procurement and supply chain management) to Country Offices and governments.    

4) Under the overall guidance and leadership of the Manager, GF/HIST, the Senior Health Procurement and Supply Chain Management Advisor supports partnership building and resource mobilization for UNDP, with the following key responsibilities:

  • Manage and lead overall resource mobilization of Country Offices, and the HIV, Health and Development Group with a focus on procurement and supply chain management and broader health system strengthening; 
  • Advocate for UNDP with government counterparts, donor community, international financial institutions, private sector and the UN;
  • Develop and maintain effective partnerships with the UN, Global Fund and other health and procurement agencies working on procurement and supply chain management; participates in an active network to exchange experience and solve common procurement-related issues; and Develop and maintain collaborative working relationship with colleagues in UNDP/BPPS, Bureau of Management – including the Global Health Procurement Centre, Office of Audit and Investigations, Legal Support Office and Regional Bureaus.

5) Ensures forward-looking information and communication management, with the following key responsibilities:

  • Promote knowledge management to ensure access to best available expertise and facilitate organizational learning;
  • Develop annual work plan for communication strategy for sharing of UNDP’s results on health system strengthening initiatives, specifically procurement and supply chain management;
  • Promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge sharing, information provision and learning including e-registry, web-based office management system etc;
  • Contribute substantially to the coordination of global, regional and country led initiatives for the identification of best practices in health system strengthening, in the area of procurement and supply chain management;
  • Formulate specific guidelines, tools, best practices for procurement and supply chain management for use by Country Offices, governments and other partners; and  
  • Actively participate in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote capacity development in procurement and supply chain management and asset management. 

6) Any other activity assigned by the Manager, Global Fund Partnership Implementation Support Team, HIV, Health and Development Group, BPPS.

Competencies

Core

 

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 6: Exercises stakeholder-centered design approaches for office / programme / division

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 6: Ensures teams are resourced for success  and empowered to deliver

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 6: Guides substantive specialists / teams and expands credibility and innovation capacity

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 6: Creates confidence among stakeholders by delivering authoritative positions, compelling analysis, and contextual acumen

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 6: Accepts accountability for the outcomes of programme delivery and facilitates improvement and innovation in the delivery of products and services

Technical/Functional

Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

 and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information

Primary

 

HIV, Health, and Development

Understanding and practical experience of issues related to HIV, Health, and Development and social determinants of health and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Quality Assurance

Knowledge of and practical experience of issues related to QA of health products and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations relevant to procurement of health products

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Supplier Management

Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Level 6: Integrate & Empower:Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Representation

Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues)

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies and forge productive working relationships

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Strategic sourcing

Knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Secondary

 

Trends and emerging areas analytics

Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design

Level 6: Integrate & Empower:Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Development Effectiveness

Knowledge of development effectiveness concepts, principles and issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, covering the economic, social and environmental dimensions

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in Procurement, Pharmacy, Business Administration, or related area.  
  • Complimentary qualifications in social science, public health, medicine or any development-related field of study is an asset.

Experience:

  • At least ten years of relevant experience in field of health procurement and supply chain management. 
  • Demonstrated expertise of at least 7 years in supply chain management in the health sector in developing countries.  
  • Demonstrated health procurement and supply chain management of at least 3 years in the public sector.
  • Knowledge of and/or expertise of UN or UNDP procurement policies and procedures highly desirable.  
  • Knowledge of Global Fund policies and procedures highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English both written and oral. 
  • Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Other

  • Willingness to travel frequently including visits to UNDP suppliers and Country Offices.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of web-based management system.


This vacancy is archived.

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