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, Hope :

The Logistics Specialist reports to the Senior Supply and Logistics Manager and is responsible for managing the supply chains and logistics components of emergency response operations. The supply chain operations include logistics planning, customs clearance, warehousing, in country transport and distribution, as well as monitoring of logistics. The incumbent supports management collaboration with programmes in defining the operational aspects of supply interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children, and provides technical and advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management. The logistics function plays a major role in emergency preparedness and response, considering the recurring and multiple emergencies experienced in the country and supported by the Country Office (CO).

How can you make a difference?

1. Management of the Supply team :

• Prepare the annual work plan for the logistics team in Kinshasa and discuss for the logistics functions in field offices with the relevant staff; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards ;
• Supervise and coach team members, ensure timely performance management of staff. In collaboration with Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team ;
• In consultation with supervisor, ensure establishment and maintenance of operational capacity to handle CO supply chains, including staffing (appropriate staffing structure, timely recruitment, clarity of roles and responsibilities) and contracting of third-party services if applicable (e.g. customs clearance, receipt and dispatch of goods, warehousing, transport, distribution) ;
• Provide oversight support to logistics functions in all field offices and ensure coordinated logistics operations between the different locations.

2. Supply chain service delivery and emergency response :

• In consultation with supervisor, provide input to the Country Programme Action Planning and advice on the operational components for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Ensure appropriate planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the logistics aspects of the supply chain operations, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of relevant services ;
• Ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country. Ensure appropriate warehousing, inventory management and in-country transport in support of the country programme implementation ;
• Ensure appropriate vendor management practices e.g. logistics service provider performance reviews are established and applied ;
• Establishe routing and scheduling plans for in country distribution. Coordinate shipment planning with zone offices. Issue delivery schedules to programme for confirmation ;
• Analyze supply dashboards, implementation rates of key performance indicators and supply information/data from various systems and conduct root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, with a view to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children ;
• Ensure regular and timely transmission of pipeline, logistics monitoring information, stock levels and distribution status to programmes and logistics focal point at national level ;
• In consultation with supervisor, provide the logistics components of the DRC emergency supply & logistics strategy based on risk assessment analysis and Programme assumptions ; Ensure an emergency logistics preparedness action plan for the CO is established in line with Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCC), and implemented (e.g. prepositioning of stock, training of staff in the country office and field offices) ;
• Participate in emergency coordination, implementation and monitoring meetings with internal and external partners and establish close collaboration with Logistics Cluster/National Logistics Working Group ;
• In collaboration with supervisor, establish strong working relations with Regional Chiefs of Supply/Regional Chief of Operations, as well as Supply Division, to align with global and regional approaches and initiatives in supply chain management.

3. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners :

• In collaboration with supervisor, develop close collaboration with programme sections through involvement in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Establish accountability framework with programmes, for delivery of results for children ;
• Support assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society, establishment of Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs), and monitoring of supply and logistics components under Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT). Ensure logistics assessments of potential partners are carried out based on Programme planning ;
• Develop and maintain partnership and collaborative relations with Government, UN organizations and bilateral counterparts in supply and logistics activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement.

4. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems :

• Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children ;
• Provide input to capacity development initiatives in the area of supply chains for children, in close collaboration with programme colleagues. Support supply components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context ;
• Collaborate closely with Procurement Services Manager regarding advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply chain improvements, such as; local market development; private sector engagement and risk reduction in the transportation sector.

5. Innovation, products and markets :

• Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with Supply Division ;
• 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.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field. *A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with seven (7) years of relevant work experience in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related technical field, may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree ;
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional 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 ;
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset ;
• Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

The competencies required for this post are :

Core Values :

• Care ;
• Respect ;
• Integrity ;
• Trust ;
• Accountability.

Core Competencies :

• Communication (II) ;
• Working with people (II) ;
• Drive for results (II).

Functional Competencies :

• Leading and supervising (II) ;
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II) ;
• Analyzing (II) ;
• Applying technical expertise (II) ;
• Planning and Organizing (II) ;
• Relating and networking (II) ;
• Coping with set-back and pressure (II).

View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks :

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service ;
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.