Head of Supply and Logistics Section

Org. Setting and ReportingUNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The incumbent is responsible to Chief, Central Support Services Division. The incumbent of the post will provide supervision to professional and support staff and will work closely with Field Offices Supply and Logistics staff. ResponsibilitiesStrategic Planning and Oversight: Leads the development of the supply chain strategy; oversees the annual supply chain planning with different field offices and HQ divisions and advises on supply requirements for the annual work plans. Ensures appropriate planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the supply chain operations and monitors work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. Provides technical advice on specifications, supply and logistics arrangements, customs clearance, warehouse inventory management and distribution of supplies and equipment. Leads the development and analysis of Supply and logistics dashboards, implementing rates of key performance indicators and supply information/ data from various systems and conducts root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, with the view to drive improvements and ensures efficient and effective supply chains. Conducts research on supply chain initiatives with different stakeholders; identifies and recommends innovative approaches jointly with partners. Promotes innovative approaches and good practices on supply chain management within the organization to ensure effective and efficient supply chains. Contributes to the actual roll-out of new systems, products, and services, in close collaboration with field offices and HQ divisions. Represents the organization at different events and presents analysis and reports to senior management as required. Emergency Preparedness and Response: Ensures the emergency supply and logistics preparedness action plans are established with field offices (establishment of relevant LTAs and frame agreements for emergency response, prepositioning of stock, solutions, and strategies). Serves as focal point for the field offices for all supply logistics emergency related issues and conducts support missions to the field to support all supply logistics operations. Inventory and Asset Management: Manages the HQ Survey Property Board for inventory and asset-related matters, including losses, impairments, and write-offs. Leads the operational preparation and execution of cases to ensure they are processed in a timely and compliant manner. Oversees Field Operations (FO) inventory management and warehouse stock flows to ensure accurate stock levels, timely expiry tracking, and proper processing of all stock transfers between locations. Identifies and addresses dormant stock, takes corrective actions for items nearing expiry, reconciles actual stock with virtual records, and ensures Goods in Transit are correctly reflected in REACH. Oversees delayed purchase orders, tracking their quantities and values. Coordinates system improvements to enhance tracking, reporting, and integration with supply chain functions, and leads stock-taking activities with clear plans, timelines, and responsibilities. Oversees the lifecycle of Agency assets from acquisition planning and deployment to maintenance and final disposal, ensuring all processes are carried out in accordance with Agency policies and donor requirements. Maintains accurate and up-to-date asset registers in REACH/SAP, ensuring all asset transactions are properly recorded in the system. Fleet and Fuel Management: Manages the operational aspects of the Agency’s vehicle and transport resources, including allocation, maintenance scheduling, and replacement planning, to ensure effective service delivery. Implements practical measures and systems to improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and extend vehicle life. Ensures compliance with safety standards and cost-effectiveness requirements, using REACH/SAP fleet management functionalities to record usage, track fuel consumption, maintain service histories, and support operational planning and cost analysis. Provides operational support on fleet and fuel management to headquarters and field offices to ensure efficient use of resources and provide technical direction to staff in HQ and field offices in all fleet management issues. Develops tools to monitor and reduce fuel consumption. Compliance, Audit, and Risk Management: Establishes internal control mechanisms and follows up operationally on the closure of audit recommendations and evaluation report findings across all supply chain functions, including fleet and fuel management, in coordination with Field Offices, to address open audit recommendations and enhance compliance. Ensures follow up on the operations and addressing any compliance issues with the Inventory management policy and contributes to the development of dashboards for inventory management and monitoring key performance indicators. Assists with coordinating bi-annual stock-take and provides support to field offices. Acts as HQA chair of the survey boards for inventory, loss, impairments, write-offs related to inventory management and logistics. Capacity Building and Staff Supervision: Establishes and maintains operational capacity to handle supply chains, including staffing (appropriate staffing structure, timely recruitment, clarity of roles and responsibility). Supervises and coaches Logistics and Supply Unit staff, and ensures timely performance management of staff. Conducts training to staff on supply chain emergency procedures and collaborates with Procurement, Supply and Logistics field colleagues to ensure that knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized to continuously build the capacity of staff. CompetenciesUN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Functional: i. Applying Technical Expertise ii. Coping with Pressure and Setbacks iii. Deciding and Initiating Action iv. Leading and Supervising Leadership: i. Delivering Results ii. Managing Complexity and Change EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in Supply and Logistics management, business administration, public administration, or a related field. A first university degree from an accredited educational institution in the same specializations as mentioned above, in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific Qualification• CSCP- Certified Supply Chain Professional (APICS/ASCM) is desirable. • CPIM- Certified in Production and Inventory Management (APICS/ASCM) is desirable. • CPSM -Certified Professional in Supply Management (ISM – Institute for Supply Management) is desirable. Work ExperienceAt least seven years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in supply chain operations, logistics, inventory management in the public or private sector, of which at least five years should be directly related to first-hand supply logistics and inventory management, preferably at the international level is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, political organizations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN/ UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. Experience in providing support services to Field Offices under humanitarian, development, or conflict/emergency context is desirable. Experience in conducting logistics, Supply, Chain at the international level for an intergovernmental organization, governmental organization, or a large multi-national organization is desirable. Emergency preparedness and response training, Emergency leadership certificates is desirable. Knowledge of and skills in use of Supply Logistics, Inventory related functions in ERP and other related information management systems is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).