UNICEF works in some of the worldโs toughest places, to reach the worldโs 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, a champion
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does โ in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to childrenโs 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 โ in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions โ her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a societyโs most disadvantaged citizens โ addressing inequity โ 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.
Strategic office context:
The Supply and Logistics Specialist reports to the Dep Rep โ Operations as per the Country Office (CO) set-up as well as Supply Division (SD) activities in China facilitating various SD engagement in China market, one of the biggest suppliers of UNICEF purchased goods. Having insiders understanding of Chinese market, direct contact and communication with Chinese authorities, vendors, market influencers, logistics providers, other UN Agencies should provide more efficient access to desired products and expedite procurement processes.
1. UNICEFโs current objectives in that particular office/division; and UNICEF China office plays a strategic role in supporting UNICEFโs global humanitarian work. In response to rapidly increasing humanitarian and development needs, UNICEF marked its sixth consecutive year of record-breaking procurement in 2022. China has been one of the top supply markets for UNICEF.
UNICEF purchases a variety of products from the China market, including but not limited to vaccines, medical supplies, and educational materials. In addition, the complex regulatory environment in China market plays a significant role in UNICEF's global humanitarian work.
With Chinaโs strengths in producing and delivering high quality goods and services, there is an opportunity for UNICEF China to partner with government authorities in China and other public and private sectors to realize the rights of more children in humanitarian and development contexts globally.
2. The specific role of the positionโs section in contributing to their achievement:
The Supply Section in the China office is managing both supply chain activities and partnership building with multiple stakeholders to proactively identify the challenges, foresee potential changes, and initiate innovative solutions and opportunities to ensure agile supply chain activities and optimal results of UNICEFโs global humanitarian response.
How can you make a difference?
Purpose for the job:
This specific role will not only support all teams in Supply Division and other county offices to handle urgent procurement and shipping requests but also initiate opportunities for UNICEF China office and Supply Division regarding supply chain management and global humanitarian work in the ever-changing environment.
To ensure efficient and effective supply chain activities in China market, this role will foresee challenges and opportunities and identify innovative solutions to proactively build strategic partnerships with government authorities and the public and private sectors in China to systematically enhance supply chain agility at UNICEF.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:ย
1. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems
2. Innovation, products and markets
Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with Supply Division. Identify which supplies are not available, gaps, and barriers to access for essential supplies for children in China. Use innovation for fit for purpose supplies for children in China. Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices on supply chain management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient supply chains for children. Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, in collaboration with supervisor run initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant. Facilitate identification of potential Vendors for development of fit-for-purpose and value-for-money products that respond to the unmet needs of children. By working with field partners and programmatic experts to understand those needs, businesses and academia to map the local market to identify capacities to make products that meet those needs, and with programming partners and donors to bring those new products to scale, product innovation at UNICEF is having a tremendous impact for children.3. China market intelligence
Interpreting and closely monitoring Government procurement and market/supply related regulations providing SD and China CO with regular updates timely emphasizing changes and key opportunities and limitations. Explore market and product updates highlighting trends in supply, demand, shortages, surplus and availability of key strategic products procured by UNICEF in China. Assist SD in buying the right products at the right price and quality via detailed specifications, competitive tendering, smart contracting, and innovating funding mechanisms.4. Networking and knowledge sharing
In close coordination with the SD and China CO establish and follow up with the relevant government authorities networking facilitating smooth processes in various areas of logistics, product production and warehousing. Establish and maintain regular contacts with Vendors (including direct manufactures) of various products of UNICEF global (and local) procurement interest. Provide, when required, training and informative sessions to interested Vendors about UNICEF/UN procurement framework. Provide, when required, training and information sessions to the SD and China CO Supply community regarding China market specific context and how to navigate various tendering processes to reach broader Vendors audience in China.5. Supply chain service delivery and emergency response
In consultation with supervisor, participate in high level emergency coordination, implementation and monitoring meetings with internal and external partners and establish close collaboration with SD Transport Center to ensure effective and efficient logistics initiatives for children. In collaboration with supervisor, establish strong working relations with Regional Chiefs of Supply/Regional Chief of Operations, as well as Supply Division, to conduct root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges in the context of China engagement, contribute to the development of improved practices and approaches with a view to drive to achieve impactful results.To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆ
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 (Bachelorโs) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is required. 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. Understanding of development and humanitarian work. Emergency experience an advantage. Health supply chain management experience an advantage. Fluency in English and Chinese is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.Skills:
Skills to identify and analyze systemic issues, formulate opinions and make conclusions and recommendations. Strong knowledge of latest developments and technology in supply chain management. Strong understanding of supply chain processes, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, logistics and delivery, monitoring, and evaluation. Strong overall knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of supply chain issues, ethics, and risk management of supply chain operations.For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEFโs 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
UNICEF competencies required for this post areโฆ
Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) Works Collaboratively with others (1) Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) Innovates and Embraces Change (1) Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) Drive to achieve impactful results (1) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
UNICEF is here to serve the worldโs most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.ย
Remarks:
UNICEFโs active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates with disabilityย are encouraged to apply.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).ย 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 cancelled.
All selected candidates will 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.
Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.