Procurement Services Associate, (GS6), Rabat, Morocco #128196 [Temp Appointment]

Vacancy Announcement

Procurement Services Associate, Grade GS6, Rabat Maroc

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, protection

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s 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 — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — 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.

How you can make a difference…

Under the supervision and guidance of the Supply & Procurement Officer, the Procurement Services Associate will be responsible for the day-to-day assistance with procurement services cycle of vaccines, nutrients, and safe injection equipment in support to the Ministry of health in Morocco (MoH) as part of UNICEF’s country programmes of cooperation ensuring accurate and timely coordination between Supply Division and MoH on annual forecasting exercise, Procurement Services Request and Cost Estimate, shipment delivery as well as monitoring of PS supplies and complains reporting to ensure an uninterrupted supply of affordable quality vaccines and immunization related supplies for Children.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for the day-to day procurement services administration and transactional support
2. Support coordination between UNICEF Supply Division and Government counterpart to finalize the annual forecasting exercise for country needs on PS supplies by engaging timely with the Ministry of Health to take timely action in providing required data used for the exercise as per the Forecast documents, templates, and guidelines.
3. Monitors the status of procurement service supplies in the country. Undertake on-going dialogue with Procurement Services partners at various levels. Pro-actively follows up on placed orders and deliveries with all parties concerned to ensure timely and safe delivery of goods. Transmits all relevant information to PS customer including changes to planned deliveries, to facilitate delivery and customs clearance of shipments. Prepares and provides timely and regular status / monitoring reports to customers.
4. Ensure coordination and monitoring of PS transactions, including beyond the point of entry; facilitate an effective PS workflow; and facilitate resolution of any bottlenecks, gaps, or other in-country issues associated with any PS transactions in close collaboration with SD and national counterparts.
5. support Introduction of new vaccines in the national immunization schedule, Morocco switch to wP Hexavalent product once the product has been pre-qualified by WHO and is available in the market as part of the Morocco Global Strategic Plan for Polio Eradication 2022– 2026
6. Ensure coordination and monitoring of PS transactions to support Maintaining a coverage rate > 95% at all levels in immunization.
7. Support the establishment of an integrated stock and inventory management system for vaccines.
8. Work closely with Government (MoH and its affiliates), UNICEF Supply Division, and national/international service providers to support implementation and management of PS projects and transactions including preliminary screening of PS requests for consistency and compliance with UNICEF policy and mandate , liaising with relevant programmed officers at the Country Office and with SD, support to complex projects, monitoring transactions ensuring constant liaison with the partner(s) on the status and proper reporting.
9. Prepare regular French translations for cover letters accompanying the Cost Estimates providing information and instructions and submit it to the partner for acceptance and follow up on transferring the funds to initiate the procurement process.
10. Maintains links with Supply Division in Copenhagen on transnational shipments, deliveries, claims and appropriateness of supplies linked to procurement services.
11. Ensure ICL service contracts are issued with adequate budget requirements.
12. Timely Follow up on the completion of the vaccine arrival Report VAR on the online eVAR tool as per time frame.
13. Share Statement of Accounts issued to the partner and follow up on any remaining contingency buffer and/or balances to be reprogrammed or returned based on partner instructions.
14. Establish and maintain contacts with UNICEF Supply Division in Copenhagen on supply procurement and shipping policies.  Interprets and advises the country office on policies and procedures impacting on Procurement Services projects.
15. In consultation with supervisor, provide input to the Country Programme Action Planning and advice on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Participate in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the supply chain operations, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of products and services.
16. in close collaboration with supervisor and Programme colleagues, Support establishment of learning material and knowledge exchange for PS community of practice. Provide input to capacity development initiatives in the area of PS and supply chains for children. Support supply components of health systems strengthening.
17. In consultation with supervisor and Supply Division, provide input to promoting of supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
18. Prepare relevant supply reports to facilitate advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply solutions for children, such as use of procurement services; supply financing solutions; local market development; private sector engagement.
19. Any other assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

• Education: Completion of secondary school education is required, with courses/certifications in business administration, supply chain management, procurement or logistics considered as an advantage.
• Experience: A minimum of six years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work and Health supply chain management experience is an asset.
• Familiarity with UNICEF, UN supply procedures and systems is an asset.
• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF office tools is an asset.
• Experience working in emergency settings and in cold chain systems, health system and its programs such as immunization, is an added advantage.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with Partners, suppliers, and co-workers and to obtain assistance and cooperation from others in a team effort.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports or rationale for procurement decisions on key issues.
• Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
• Language: Fluency in French is required as well as a very good knowledge of English. Arabic is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS) UNICEF Values and other core and functional competencies;

Core Competencies

• 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)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

View our competency framework at this link.

Candidate can apply online before 22 April 2024 through this link

Remarks:

• This vacancy is open for Moroccan nationals only.
• It is open for both Internals and Externals. The priority will be given to the Internal recommended Staff.
• This position is Temporary for 364 days will possibility to be extended depending on the performance and the project.
• 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 appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). 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.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• UNICEF only considers higher education qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) can be found at http://www.whed.net/
• For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace additional two years.

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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, suitable men candidates will receive preferential consideration and selection, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements stated above.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background 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.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/ assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.