Head of Category Management Unit

Hardship Level

H (no hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

PR4

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

• Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2023-11-30

Job Posting End Date

December 21, 2023

Standard Job Description

Head of Category Management Unit

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Supply Management Service (SMS) is expected to deliver improved Supply Chain services to clients such as HQ organizational departments and Sections as well as UNHCR field operations around the globe, especially those facing declared UNHCR emergencies.

For this purpose, SMS adopted a new strategy which includes a revised Service Delivery Model (SDM), in line with the functionalities offered by the new Cloud ERP System.

In this framework, the Procurement Section (PS) must ensure that high quality and sustainable sourcing is conducted with fast turnaround (from planning to contract). Precisely, the Procurement Section shall conduct complex and high risk/value procurement actions for goods and services, including works, while also contributing to policy development and capacity building in Procurement, and offering a general support on procurement matters to UNHCR operations.

The Category Management Unit is part of the Procurement Section, and it is aimed to support SMS in the dealings with its responsibilities within UNHCR Supply Chain, to be able to contribute to the adoption of strategic sourcing decisions, their implementation and monitoring from a technical standpoint. In detail, the Category Management Unit must provide, inter alia:

• Contributing to a strategic technical expertise and guidance in relation to procurement of key goods and services, in collaboration with the competent HQ Divisions and the Regional Bureaux.
• Technical support on product development, striving for innovation and sustainability.
• Technical specification development for the items under SMS’ responsibility.
• Contributing to the adoption and monitoring of technical standards.
• Global and regional markets research and analysis.
• Sustainable procurement and contracting advice.
• Contributing to supplier’s performance and quality/compliance content development.
• Establishment and maintenance of a network of category manager experts in HQ and the Regional Bureaus.

The Head of Category Management Unit will lead and manage the Unit which is made up of a number of staff and specialised AWF covering a variety of specific technical areas. S/he will manage relationship with the other technical units within the HQ Divisions, and Regional Bureaus, and the requesting functions in the technical areas under the responsibility of the Category Management Unit.

The incumbent shall lead the implementation of the agreed short, medium, and long-term strategy for each of the item categories (goods and services) in her/his portfolio with key focus on high technical standards, sustainability, material cycles and disposal, as well and cost optimization and savings.

The incumbent will closely collaborate with the Head of Sourcing and Global Markets Unit to ensure the respective responsibilities that strategic global procurement processes are conducted in a timely and cost-effective manner in conformity with UNHCR’s procurement rules and regulations.

The incumbent maintains impartial, ethical and customer-oriented relations with suppliers and Partner organizations; exchanges information with counterparts in other UN agencies and International Organisations within the limits established by UN /UNHCR Procurements Rules and manages joint procurement actions if, as and whenever necessary.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Develop a clear strategic vision for the category management unit, aligning it with the overall goals and objectives of SMS, the Global Procurement Section and UNHCR as a whole considering industry trends, emerging technologies, market dynamics and customer needs
• Utilize data and analytics to gain insights into market trends, supplier performance, and cost drivers. Leverage technology and tools to track key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Establish performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of category strategies and initiatives. Regularly monitor and analyse performance data to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven adjustments.
• Identify and assess technical risks associated with the category, such as supply disruptions, price fluctuations, or regulatory changes. As needed, develop adequate mitigation actions to be incorporated into the relevant category strategy
• Develop, disseminate, and monitor compliance with UNHCR’s global policies and guidance related to Category Management and standards.
• Contribute to the development and update of Technical Specifications for the items under the responsibility of SMS.
• Under the leadership of the Chief of Global Procurement Section and in collaboration with the Head of Sourcing and Global Markets Unit contribute to develop effective and efficient procurement strategies for high value and critical goods and services
• Effectively engage stakeholders to understand their needs and incorporate their insights into category strategies.
• Maintain open and proactive communication with internal stakeholders, such as senior management and business units. Keep them informed about category strategies, performance, and any significant developments or challenges.
• Foster strong collaboration and communication with cross-functional teams, such as other SMS Sections and Units, HQ Divisions, Regional Bureaux, and Field operations.
• Cultivate strong relationships with suppliers based on trust, transparency, and mutual benefit. Collaborate closely with suppliers to optimize costs, drive innovation, and ensure a reliable supply chain for the items under the categories managed by the Unit.
• Lead by example and inspire the team to achieve excellence. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, providing coaching and development opportunities to enhance skills and expertise.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the category management unit. Encourage innovation, strive for sustainability, explore new market opportunities, and seek efficiencies in processes and operations.
• Support and develop direct reports by monitoring, coaching, and identifying appropriate learning and development opportunities to enable them to meet job expectations as well as personal and UNHCR’s career development plans.
• Set specific, measurable targets to drive the staff performance and ensure continuous improvement.
• Actively engage with other UN Agencies and other International/Public Organization to partner in development, pioneering, piloting, and testing of new products and services under the assigned categories.
• Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
• Perform other relevant duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years Of Experience / Degree Level

For P4 – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences, or related fields)

Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or rerated field)

Business Administration

Supply

Procurement

Logistics

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Procurement & Supply Certification/Fellowship-CIPS

IAPSO/UNDP Procurement

UN Joint Logistics Centre

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Essential

Relevant Job Experience

Minimum of 5 years in a leadership/managerial role in large/international supply chain operations. Strong theoretical background and substantive experience in contracting of goods and services on international level with excellent working knowledge of business administration, commercial and contractual aspects. Ability to comprehend complex technical information, technical formulas, diagrams, and drawings. Experience in modelling and statistical analysis relevant to the assigned category markets and supply chain in general Experience in handling complex contract issues in the context of public procurement. Proven problem-solving ability and ability to lead a highly skilled team. Proven proactive and customer service- oriented attitude. Experience in contracts negotiations; ability to provide technical guidance to subordinate staff; ability to plan and organise work assignments, often under close deadlines. Experience in supervising and leading multifunctional teas and experience in supervision and assignment of bayes. Experience in working in field missions in humanitarian and development context, preferably in developing countries and/or countries in transition. Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks with speed, in a courteous and service-oriented manner. Team player, flexible and adaptive in various situations, including multi-cultural and multi-lingual environments.

Desirable

Combination of technical/scientific academic knowledge with procurement management and field supply experience. Experience in managing supply chain in UN and/or similar International Organization(s). Technical knowledge of types of services and goods purchased by UNHCR’s Headquarters as well as Regional and Field Offices under the assigned categories. Relevant training, such as CIPS, IAPSO, UNJLC or other public procurement Experience in developing and delivering learning and development programmes and content in areas of procurement and contracting and logistics. Experience and working knowledge of ORACLE Cloud applications and systems relevant for supply chain management. Knowledge on another (than English) UN language.

Functional Skills

IT-ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Functional Knowledge

Leadership

SC-Contract management

Statistical Data Analysis

SC-Supply Planning

SC-Customer Oriented Skills – Care

SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Leadership

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Strategic Planning and Vision

Cross-Functional Competencies

Technological Awareness

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Stakeholder Management

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

Extensive procurement experience and in-depth knowledge of UNHCR’s Supply portfolio, or ability to quickly acquire it, are required for effective performance in this position. As the incumbent will have primary responsibility for Category Management, which is a new approach to UNHCR’s procurement work, this requires skills and expertise in effective Category Management either from the commercial sector, or from other international organizations, combined with strong managerial qualities, including the ability to effectively communicate new or complex concepts to a wide range of audiences.

Equally important is the incumbent’s experience and ability to coach and develop staff efficiently, providing feedback, training, monitoring and reporting on staff progress as well as the Unit’s overall progress. In addition to regular staff, both international and national, the incumbent will supervise several international AWF positions (Category Managers).

Thus a combination of extensive expertise of public sector procurement requirements, with strong technical knowledge in at least one or preferably several industries, markets, or product families of interest to UNHCR, so as to be able to effectively lead a Unit composed of technical experts in category management, while managing one of the key UNHCR categories her/himself.

Strong analytical skills and expertise in conducting comprehensive market research and product assessment/development. A focus on sustainability, total cost of ownership and demonstrated experience in Lifecycle Analysis (LCAs) would be a significant plus.

Strong familiarity with ERP systems, with a focus on spend analysis and the ability to assess effectively cost drivers for specific spend categories, and drive efficiencies through good market engagement.

Strong interpersonal skills, customer orientation, proactive nature, and flexibility in undertaking the function is needed to ensure close working relationships and support to requesting units;

Experience in performing supply functions in the field operations will be an asset.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

French

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational health and safety considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

As part of the HQ realignment process relaunched in 2023, several Supply positions are being discontinued in 2024 in the Supply Management Service (SMS), including two international positions in the Procurement Section of SMS, which necessitates review of the required technical skills and competencies and the nature of this position. The incumbent will supervise the newly established Category Management Unit within the Procurement Section (PS) of the DESS SMS. This new position will supervise a team of Category Managers with advanced products and/or industry knowledge, and report directly to the Chief of the Procurement Section. The incumbent will be also directly managing one of the key categories.

The purpose of the role is to introduce to UNHCR a category management approach to procurement. This consists in using spend analysis, products specifications and use, industry characteristics and other market intelligence tools to optimize the effective management of procurement actions by applying supplier, sourcing and market engagement strategies that are specific to each category of products, in order to deliver the goods and services swiftly and efficiently to the requestors.

The incumbent will be responsible for leading a specialists’ team in analyzing industry, products and user requirements trends, developing long-term strategies for product categories, and managing relationships with relevant key suppliers. The incumbent will also analyze landed costs under variable sourcing options, as well as product lifecycle analysis with a goal to improve the product range management and total cost of ownership.

Living and Working Conditions

The position is based in HQs in Budapest which is the capital of Hungary where adequate infrastructure, health, education, banking and recreational facilities are easily accessible. Budapest is H category Duty Station. There are no specific security concerns not withstanding incidental events. Personal security is generally not an issue. However, staff members should be cautious and take responsibility for their own personal and residential security.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

Database Management, SC-Public procurement

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Chemistry, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Earth Sciences, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Engineering, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Logistics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Physics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Procurement, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Supply Chain Management

Certifications

IAPSO/UNDP Procurement – Other, Procurement and Supply Fellowship _ CIPS – Other, UN Joint Logistics Centre – Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 – Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance