UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, hope
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. 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 all 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.
How can you make a difference?
Under the direct supervisor of the Regional Chief of Supply, The Supply and Logistics Specialist will manage collaboration with programmes at countries level and with Centers of Excellence in defining supply interventions to meet programmatic needs primarily for emergency response, and achieve results for children, and provide technical and advisory support to MENA country offices, governments, national systems, and partners on all aspects of supply chain management.
Key Functions:
1. Management of the Supply Work Plan
Contribute to the annual work plan for the MENARO Supply team. In consultation with the team, we determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress in areas related to emergency preparedness and response. In consultation with supervisor, ensure establishment and maintenance of operational capacity to handle CO supply chains and contracting of third-party services if applicable (e.g. customs clearance, warehousing, transport, distribution).2. Supply chain service delivery and emergency response
In consultation with supervisor, advise on supply requirements for country office plan of operations and annual work plans, particularly as relates to emergency preparedness. Support the effective procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction works, and establishment of LTAs while maintaining the highest level of integrity, ethical standards, and accountability. Support to ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering countries and working with Cos and SD to identify bottlenecks and solutions to streamline the process. Ensure appropriate vendor management practices and due diligence. In collaboration with supervisor, establish strong working relations with MENA Supply Managers, CoE, Regional Humanitarian Section, CO Programme teams, as well as Supply Division.3. Service contracting for construction, rehabilitation and infrastructure projects
Manages procurement of services; including proposal of supply strategy and method of purchase; LTA’s, Institutional Contracts, analysis and evaluation of procurement requests and appropriateness of Terms of References/Scope of Services. Makes recommendations for finalization of contracting processes and award of contracts; signs procurement orders/contracts up to the authorized limit, and, in cases where the amount exceeds authorized signature authority, prepares/reviews submissions to the Contracts Review Committee for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official. Supports contracts management to ensure supplier compliance to LTAS and contractual terms and conditions. Provides technical advice and best practice on procurement and contracting for services to SD, Headquarter Divisions and COs on all phases of the procurement cycle. Supports review of procurement strategies and transactions from SD centers and other offices4. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners
In collaboration with supervisor, develop close collaboration and coordination with SD on all emergency preparedness and response activities as well as with RO and CO supply and programme sections. 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). Develop and maintain partnership and collaborative relations with Government, UN organizations and counterpar in supply and logistics activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement.5. Technical and advisory support to country offices, government/national systems
Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with country offices, governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children. Provide input to capacity development initiatives in the area of supply chains for children, in close collaboration with programme colleagues. Support supply components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context including for sustainability and resilience in the event of shocks. Advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply solutions for children.6. Innovation, products, and markets
Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with programmes and Supply Division, particularly as relates to last mile supply monitoring and streamlining supply operations for more effective emergency response. Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices on supply chain management. Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, in collaboration with supervisor run initiatives to ensure local market development for critical supplies where relevant.To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
An advanced university degree is required in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field, or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is required.
A first level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with seven (7) years of relevant work experience in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly related technical field, may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree, (this flexibility only applies to internal UNICEF staff on FT, Continuing or Permanent appointment holders on abolished post).
Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related technical fields is required.
Experience in Service contracting for construction, rehabilitation and infrastructure projects is required. Understanding of development and humanitarian work. Emergency experience is an advantage. Health supply chain management experience is an advantage. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Arabic is considered as a strong added advantage.For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates with disability are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
Visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.