UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child,  support.

Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path. Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Supply/Logistics Specialist, the incumbent administers the Procurement Services operations of the office and is responsible for effective planning, and strengthening national capacity development mechanisms that provides access to UNICEF’s supply networks, in support of the Country Programmes and operations. She/he contributes to the collaboration with all other UN agencies to accelerate implementation of the Harmonized Business practices for supply chain initiatives in line within Reform/coherence.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Procurement transactional support

• Manages on-going and new UNICEF Procurement Services (PS) transactions in collaboration with programme sections and UNICEF Supply Division (SD).
• Monitors overall PS transactions and facilitates an efficient and effective PS workflow, by addressing the bottlenecks and gaps and improving the processes, in close coordination with UNICEF Uganda programme section, SD and national counterparts.
• Coordinates the importation process of health supplies under all Procurement Services projects, including the liaison with National Drug Authority, Pharmacy Division and national implementing partners
• Contributes to SD Workshops and any other events relevant to Procurement Services. Provides training on PS as required, particularly with regards to transaction management.
• Contributes to the implementation of Business Operation Strategy (BoS) with other UN agencies in the area of procurement, including the development and management of PS partnerships with UN agencies in Uganda
• Other ad-hoc procurement tasks, as deemed necessary by the supervisor

1. Partnerships

• In coordination with Supply Division, manages PS Key Accounts as well as complex and large requests and projects.
• Develops and maintains a framework for the identification, planning and implementation of procurement services projects. Ensures appropriate linkage of the PS engagement with Country Programme results frameworks and workplans.
• Liaises with UNICEF programme staff on PS issues relevant to their areas of work and introduces PS to their government counterparts as needed.
• Coordinates the development of new operational frameworks (e.g. Memorandum of Understanding - MoU) for procurement services, or the amendment of existing ones, in close collaboration with Supply Division, government and other concerned parties.
• Explores with relevant counterparts (internal and external) possible expansion of Procurement Services to other commodities and programmes not previously supported by this mechanism in Uganda.
• Prepares materials for response to external inquiries, information and questions on all aspects of Procurement Services in close consultation with the relevant programme section, Procurement Services Centre (UNICEF SD), and CO management.

1. Technical assistance and supply system strengthening

• Contributes to national vaccine forecasting exercises, taking into consideration current stock levels, shipments in pipeline, introduction of new vaccines, etc.
• Works with MoH EPI (UNEPI) department in strengthening the monitoring of vaccine stock monitoring, reordering and distribution to lower levels in the supply chain.
• Participates in relevant national Technical Working Groups, Committees and other taskforces or advisory bodies on supply chain management for health commodities.
• Provides advice and facilitates training on links and synergies for Cold Chain logistics and Vaccine Management with the procurement and supply management of routine immunization and, where appropriate, other essential health commodities.
• Supports vaccine management assessments to identify gaps in supply management and cold chain and means to rectify them. Provides support in undertaking the Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessment, and in developing and implementing the EVM-based Improvement Plan.
• Ensures that, while providing Procurement Services, UNICEF contributes to capacity building of the relevant government entities responsible for different segments of the supply chain, both at central and subnational level.
• Provides technical assistance to government counterparts, in collaboration with programme sections, Supply Division and other partners, with respect to: procurement planning, quantification/forecasting, supply financing, procurement execution, warehousing, distribution.
• Supports relevant programme sections in policy and advocacy dialogue with Government, development partners and other stakeholders in issues related to the strengthening of the national supply chain for Health and Nutrition programmes

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Pharmacy, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Management, International Economics, International Development, Marketing, Contract/Commercial Law, or areas directly related to logistics operations or UNICEF programme areas, with an emphasis on health supply chain.
• Minimum two years of relevant professional work experience. Both national and international work experience in supply, logistics, purchasing of health supplies.
  • Experience in technical assistance and systems strengthening for essential medicine and immunization supply chains, including supply financing.
  • Experience in coordinating Technical Working Groups relevant to supply chain management would be an asset.
• Exposure to UN and Development partner funded programmes is also desirable
• Knowledge of Supply Management for health commodities, preferably in a developing country context.
• Understanding of health programmes in a developing country context, in particular child health, immunization and nutrition
• Knowledge of supply procurement process from procurement planning to execution to contract management and administration, including procurement methods and tools for good procurement and supply chain management practice.
• Knowledge of general principles and processes in risk management in procurement, including risk analysis and evaluation techniques.
• Knowledge of financial and legal implications in procurement process.
• Technical knowledge of relevant products and services (e.g., vaccines, medical supplies, etc.).
• Knowledge of relevant Information Technology software.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

• Applying Technical Expertise
• Following Instructions and Procedures
• Planning and Organizing