Chief of Service, Logistics

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Sourcing Support Service (SSS) of the Logistics Division (LD), in the Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), of the Department of Operational Support (DOS). The Department of Operational Support was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services, and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, Offices Away from Headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The Office of Supply Chain Management includes the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management, the Logistics Division, the Procurement Division (PD), the Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, and the Enabling and Outreach Service.

• The Logistics Division performs a pivotal role in the implementation of end-to-end supply chain management across the United Nations (UN) operations. The Division provides direction and advice on logistical matters and in the areas of air transport, surface transport, engineering, medical and supply, inclusive of fuel, rations and general supplies, security equipment and vehicles. The Division plans, directs, monitors, and assesses the delivery of related services and specialist support.
• The Sourcing Support Service is responsible for the development of the category strategies of categories under its purview (engineering, security, ground transportation, fuel, rations, and medical support) and for ensuring that DOS client entities’ may source the full spectrum of products and services in these categories.
• The relevant sourcing support activities in the category management process include identification of fit-for-purpose sourcing solutions to satisfy clients’ needs, development of strategies to source such solutions, development of technical specifications in alignment with the Organization’s sustainable development goals, conducting technical evaluations, establishing and managing contracts, supplier management, with greater attention paid to risk analysis and mitigation, performance management and accountability.
• The SSS coordinates closely with the PD to establish contracts, leverage the latest technologies, and adopt innovative approaches to provide effective and efficient support to DOS clients. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Logistics Division.

Responsibilities

Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Sourcing Support Service under his/her supervision. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Service, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate.

The Chief of SSS will be responsible for the following duties: Management:

• Leads, supervises, and carries out the work programme of the Service under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Service and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
• Co-ordinates and oversees the development and implementation of policies, guidelines and procedures including governance and oversight relating to engineering, supply and transport, and medical goods and services; oversees preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
• Develops and implements sourcing support strategies, within a category management approach, by leveraging the latest technologies, adopting innovative approaches, analyzing category spend, assessing market availability, and calculating risk profile of products and services. Advisory:
• Participates/leads in Headquarters-led working groups, reviews, and assessments as nominated by Management.
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports; responds to queries from legislative and oversight bodies.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Service including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance.
• Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries.
• Leads and contributes to meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Participates in international, regional, or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on issues or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, logistics, supply chain management or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional qualifying years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, logistics, procurement, supply chain management or related field is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience and demonstrated performance in managing cross-functional supply chain management teams is required.
• Experience in collaborating across multiple groups efforts to achieve organisational-wide strategic objective and priorities is required.
• Experience in developing client-centric solutions in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is desirable.
• Experience leading business transformation projects, and/or multiple key tactical and strategic initiatives in parallel, is desirable.
• Experience in successfully addressing global supply chain disruptions is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/236628?language=en