UNDP Careers
The position plays a pivotal role in strategic oversight and comprehensive management of UNFPA’s logistics operations. This role involves the development and implementation of overarching strategies for Freight Services and Prepositioned Stock Management, encompassing UNFPA’s 119-country programmes and Third-Party Procurement Services (TPP), externally known as Supply Chain Solutions.
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 Logistics Management Services Manager occupies a critical leadership role in overseeing UNFPA’s comprehensive logistics operations, which include pre-positioned stock management, and freight services oversight. This role provides strategic oversight and management of the LMS Team and close coordination with Third Party Logistics (3PL) providers to ensure seamless inbound and outbound operations, effective storage solutions, and precise inventory management. The position plays a key role in guiding suppliers and 3PLs on order fulfilment, fostering strong communication with UNFPA Country Offices and TPP clients, and formulating strategies to enhance logistic capacities and avert critical supply shortages. Furthermore, this position entails substantial involvement in cross-organizational initiatives, thereby contributing significantly to the fortification of UNFPA’s overall logistics capability.
Main Task And Responsibilities
You will be responsible for supporting the Head of Pillar 2 – Supply Operations Advisor with:
- Provide strategic direction and oversee the activities of the Logistics Management Services Team to ensure:
- Strategically develop and implement freight management, and global and regional pre-positioned stock strategies, in compliance with the UNFPA Quality Assurance Framework, to ensure safe and efficient transportation and storage of commodities.
- Provide comprehensive oversight of inbound and outbound logistics operations, ensuring effective storage management and stringent inventory control that includes maintaining the accuracy and reliability of inventory records for pre-positioned stock, systematically monitoring stock levels to forecast needs, and coordinating timely replenishment to prevent shortages and maintain readiness for rapid response.
- Collaborate with Planning and Procurement Teams to ensure logistics considerations are incorporated into planning.
- Lead Category Management for international freight services, including the selection and oversight of 3PL/Third Party Logistics service providers.
- Strategically develop and implement the strategy of a tracking technology to maintain visibility of all shipments including Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems.
- Oversee the global pre-positioned stock management processes to ensure that commodities are stored safely and securely, and that stock levels are managed effectively to prevent shortages or excess.
- Ensure that records are accurate and comprehensive with proper documentation kept for audit trails that are compliant with UNFPA policies and reporting.
- Support and implement activities related to UNFPA’s Governance, Risk, Compliance and Reporting function.
- Capacity Strengthening
- Developing and implementing UNFPA’s capacity-strengthening initiatives.
- Advocate for the training of supply chain professionals
- Coach and mentor UNFPA personnel to strengthen their capacity to provide informed technical guidance in the supply chain management function.
- Thought Leadership, Knowledge Sharing and Advisory
- Champion UNFPA’s supply chain thought leadership through actively engaging with industry experts, participating in relevant forums, contributing to research and publications, and representing UNFPA’s expertise in various supply chain management discussions and initiatives.
- Foster an environment for knowledge retention and sharing and the creation of a community of practice for supply chain.
- Provide counsel and support on the full range of supply chain management issues, incorporating best practices and continuous improvement across UNFPA.
- Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
- Prominently contribute to the development of UNFPA’s value proposition and relationships with donors and partners.
- Lead the establishment of strategic public-private partnerships, aligning organizational logistics goals with external collaboration for enhanced operational effectiveness
- Support SCMU’s collaboration with the Division of Communications and Strategic Partnerships (DCS) to diversify funding opportunities.
- Support SCMU’s oversight of resource mobilisation proposals for quality assurance purposes
- Collaboration and Representation
- Establish effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders within UNFPA to ensure coordinated and effective tailored solutions for each area of intervention.
- Lead the fostering of relationships with key supply chain partners with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of UNFPA’s supply chain function.
- Represent SCMU and UNFPA in meetings related to supply chain management functions.
- Team Management
- Create a conducive working environment aligned with UNFPA’s 2030 People Strategy.
- Lead and supervise the team.
- Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Chief, SCMU.
Education
Qualifications and Experience:
Advanced university degree required. An advanced degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, International Commerce, Transportation, Logistics, or other related fields, or a professional Supply Chain Management certification such as Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) at Level 4 or above and/or Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT-UK) at Level 4 or above is an added advantage. Project Management qualifications and certifications such as PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner certifications, PMP® or CAPM® from Project Management Institute (PMI) would be an additional asset.
Knowledge And Experience
- A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant progressively responsible experience in public or private sector logistics is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience in the below key areas, with the understanding that these experiences may overlap:
- At least five (5) years of hands-on experience in managing international freight operations (air, sea, and land transportation modalities) and pre-positioned stock management (including forecasting, warehousing, stock rotation, and replenishment strategies).
- At least three (3) years of hands-on experience in managing international health supply chain operations with focus on temperature-sensitive logistics.
- Proven experience in implementing logistics business transformation projects, especially those involving digitalisation and technological innovation.
- Proven experience in implementing and managing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems within logistics operations, demonstrating successful integration of EDI technology to streamline supply chain processes is required.
- Proficiency in managing large-scale logistics projects especially in the public health sector and establishing strategic public-private alliance/partnerships in the logistics industry.
- Demonstrated expertise in change management, with a strong track record in guiding teams through significant organisational changes.
- Experience in managing a team, particularly within a remote and/or matrix organizational structure is required.
- Knowledge of global supply chain security, risk management, and compliance regulations is required.
- Advanced proficiency in project management skills, with an emphasis on strategic planning, budget management, and stakeholder engagement is required.
- 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.
- Strong interpersonal skills and capability to develop and maintain broad diversified partnerships is required.
- Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is required.
- Knowledge of UNFPA’s country classification system, UNFPA’s Strategic Plan, Strategy for Family Planning 2022-2030 and Acceleration Plan is an asset.
- Knowledge of GS1 as a method for tracking products and services to enhance visibility of supply chains is an added advantage to this position.
Languages
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
Values
Required Competencies:
- Exemplifying integrity
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
- Embracing cultural diversity
- Embracing change
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
Functional Competencies
- Knowledge of global supply chain security, risk management, and compliance regulations is required
- Proficiency in project management skills, with an emphasis on strategic planning, budget management, and stakeholder engagement is required
- Experience in implementing and managing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems within logistics operations
- Expertise in change management, with a strong track record in guiding teams through significant organisational changes.
Managerial Competencies (if Applicable)
- Providing strategic focus,
- Engaging staff and partners,
- Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance,
- Making decisions and exercise judgement
Compensation And Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.
Disclaimer
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
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