Supply Chain Specialist , P-3, Temporary Position, 11.5 months, Supply Division, COPENHAGEN #00139104

Duty station: Copenhagen

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Calling

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Supply Division (SD) works to ensure equitable and inclusive access to essential supplies and services for children and their families, in development, humanitarian and fragile contexts. These supplies are critical to saving lives, supporting children’s health and education, and protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. As the UN’s largest end to end supply chain entity, UNICEF leverages its global reach, market influence, supply chain expertise and partnerships with governments, civil society, private sector, industry, and other stakeholders to meet children’s needs and protect their rights around the world.

SD focuses on three result areas to maximize impact, scale, and effectiveness: strategic procurement; supply preparedness and response in humanitarian and fragile contexts; and supply chain optimization. To facilitate and accelerate progress toward these results, SD employs three change strategies: financing for supply and services, supply chain digitalization and supply chain localization.

Centre Context:

Supply Financing Centre (SFC): The Centre will manage and deploy supply financing interventions, including VII, match funds and supply financing facilities.

SFC will lead and manage large-scale partnerships with international financial institutions, development partners and continental and regional bodies. It will provide strategic country support, including evidence generation, country readiness assessments, national supply chain system strengthening and capacity building. SFC will also provide foundational PS support, including normative support on system strengthening and PS policy, lead and manage PS partner engagement, and engage with countries on all aspects of PS.

Under the supervision of the Supply Chain Manager, Traceability, and Digitalization, the incumbent will work closely with colleagues with the Supply Finance Center (SFC) , Supply Division, Program Division, Regional Offices, Country Offices, and stakeholders.

Purpose for the job: 

The Traceability and Verification System (TRVST) is a digital solution that enhances traceability and verification processes for health products across the supply chains. UNICEF developed it in collaboration with Verification and Traceability Initiative (VTI) stakeholders to reduce the risks of falsified products and strengthen national supply chains. TRVST has been successfully implemented in over 15 countries in Africa and Asia, with plans to deploy it in other countries.

UNICEF seeks to engage a supply chain specialist to support the TRVST deployment across targeted countries. The Specialist will lead TRVST implementation in collaboration with UNICEF COs and National Regulatory Authorities/Ministry of Health, ensure integration with existing systems, and provide training and support to local stakeholders.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties:

The incumbent will use his/her technical knowledge and specialized experience to support deploying the TRVST system in countries with a specific focus on the African region. The Supply Chain Specialist will also support other activities to ensure the smooth operation of TRVST. Additionally, the incumbent will work closely with his/her supervisor to foster alignment with global best practices, streamline processes, and enhance interoperability to optimize efficiency and traceability throughout supply chain operations in support of countries where we work.

Key accountabilities include:

1. Deployment of TRVST.

• Collaborate with UNICEF country/regional offices and stakeholders at national and regional levels to assess the requirements for TRVST deployment.
• Develop deployment plans tailored to each country's needs and context, ensuring alignment with overall project objectives.
• Coordinate the implementation of TRVST deployment activities, including Enterprise Agreement signing, system setup, configuration, data upload, and user training.
• Provide technical support and guidance to stakeholders throughout the deployment process, addressing any challenges or issues that may arise.

2. Capacity building.

• Conduct training sessions for relevant personnel on using and managing the TRVST system.
• Develop training materials, manuals, and guidelines to support capacity-building initiatives.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development to enable local teams to utilize and maintain the TRVST system effectively.

3. Monitoring and operations.

• Establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact and effectiveness of TRVST deployment.
• Collect and analyze data on system usage, performance, and user feedback to identify areas for improvement.
• Generate regular reports on the progress of TRVST deployment, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and recommendations for future actions.

4. Technical support.

• Collaborate with technical teams to address system bugs, enhancements, and customization requests as needed.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices in traceability and verification to inform continuous improvement efforts.

5. Collaboration and Coordination.

• Work closely with the Supply Chain Manager and other relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with digitalization and traceability initiatives.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, and conferences to share insights, lessons learned, and best practices related to TRVST deployment.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among countries and partners

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: TOR - Supply Chain Specialist_139104_.docx

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Information Technology, Public Health, Supply Chain Management and Logistics Management, or Project Management is required.
• Work Experience:
• At least 5 years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in a professional capacity in supply chain management in the public or private sector.
• At least three (3) years’ experience in the implementation of traceability and verification systems in Africa or Asia.
• Understanding of Global Standards (GS1) implementation and the importance of traceability solutions.
• Proven experience deploying digital solutions, preferably in the context of supply chain management or public health in Africa.
• Knowledge of GS1 standards and electronic logistics management information system (eLMIS).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team with a proactive and solution-oriented approach.
• Knowledge of information systems and data management in resource-limited settings.
• Ability to write reports and prepare presentations for high-level and technical audiences.
• Skills: Strong technical skills, including proficiency in database management, software implementation, and user training. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders at various levels.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French (written and oral) is highly desirable.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Work experience in an international setting and/or development cooperation is an asset.
• Being familiar with traceability and verification systems, supply chain processes, and public health programs in low-resource settings, particularly in Africa is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's 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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of serious misconduct.

UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable.

Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these checks. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates' willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.