Job Description
BACKGROUND
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with Governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
The 2030 Agenda for SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development, including widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of health threats. The scope and scale of delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing. As affirmed in the Political Declaration of the 2019 High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and others are critical partners for delivering on the health-related goals of the 2030 Agenda. Stronger Collaboration, Better Health: Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All outlines how a dozen multilateral health, development and humanitarian agencies, including UNDP, the Global Fund, Gavi and others will collaborate to be more efficient and effective in supporting countries to deliver UHC and achieve the health-related SDG targets.
UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), in line with UNDP’s HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2022-2025: Connecting the Dots, makes a vital contribution to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind.
As a long-standing partner of the Global Fund, UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance to Global Fund grants in 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of the integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach in supporting countries with significant national capacity constraints to manage large-scale health programmes. By providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management, UNDP is able to deliver results whilst sustainably transitioning to national entities. UNDP’s track record as interim PR over the last 20 years and capacity to deliver in challenging operating environments has been critical for strengthening its positioning as a health implementation support partner.
As a trusted, long-term partner of the GF, UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management. Within the HIV and Health Group, the Global Fund Partnership and Health Systems Team (GFPHST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices implementing health and development programmes.
UNDP has been appointed as the non-governmental Principal Recipient (PR) by the CCM (Instance de Coordination Nationale) to implement the GF GC7 HIV-TB grant, with the main objective of contributing to the strengthening of the national response to HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, while strengthening the health system in DRC.
In order to provide strategic planning, programmatic and operational management, and oversight to the GF grants to achieve the defined programme goals, targets and effective delivery, a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager, the Procurement and Supply Management Specialist (Health Products) will be responsible for leading a team, to ensure the uninterrupted supply of health products through a high level of procurement and supply chain performance, coordinating and building strategic partnerships, providing policy and strategic technical guidance and engaging with partners to strengthen national systems and health institutions in the context of procurement and supply chain management of health products.
In order to allow for the national authorities to manage Global Fund resources during the next allocation cycle, and to successfully pass the donor’s assessment, UNDP Country Office will actively engage in supporting the development of a capacity development and transition plan. This will require inputs from the Procurement and Supply Specialist (Health Products) in the design, implementation and monitoring of this plan, budgeting for activities in the plan, defining clear milestones, allocating PSM staff time to the implementation of the plan, and proactively identifying the strategies to be implemented to maximize the chances of success of the transition process, as well as available resources inside and outside the organization. The coordination with other technical assistance providers engaged in the transition process is also a key success factor.
This will be done in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, GF grant agreements and corporate agreements with the GF, working in close coordination with national stakeholders, implementing partners, the GF (including Local Fund Agent), technical partners, including PEPFAR and PMI, UN entities, the GFPHST and other UNDP units and programmes. The Procurement and Supply Management Specialist (Health Products) will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, ensuring integration across functional areas within the PMU and support the integration of capacity building activities.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Key duties and accountabilities include:
Ensures strategic leadership, planning and effective management and oversight of Global Fund procurement and supply chain management of health products, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Develops and/or enhances business processes, internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and workflows related to procurement and supply management of health products within the PMU, focusing on business processes mapping, service delivery, and internal controls, control of the workflows with the procurement team and harmonization of the workflows between the PMU and the Country Office, while ensuring compliance with international standards for Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP);
- Leads on the strategic planning, oversight and management of the procurement and supply chain activities for health products in compliance with UNDP’s rules, policies and procedures, the grant agreements and corporate agreements with the Global Fund ensuring integration across functional areas.
- Leads substantive monitoring of procurement and supply chain for health products and proactively leads on reviews for underperformance, bottlenecks and ensures the accountability for the timely implementation of corrective actions to ensure consistent supply of health products and minimization of the risk of wastage, in accordance with international standards.
- Manages the PMU’s PSM team, ensuring that UNDP is resourced to deliver on its commitments; fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion; building the technical, managerial and leadership capacity of staff for the promotion of organizational excellence; Ensures strong collaboration with UNDP regional and headquarters, Bureau of Management Services (including the health procurement team in Copenhagen), and the GFPHST (including the Senior PSM Advisor and the Quality Assurance Advisor) in the context of procurement and supply chain management for health products for the programmes.
Ensures proactive management of the procurement and supply chain management of health products, monitoring and oversight, and performs risk assessments focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Leads on the timely preparation and implementation of quality grant documents and reports required by the donor, including health product management template, quantification files, and quality control plans.
- Supports the Programme Manager in the negotiation of grant agreements, identification of savings, and timely submission of reprogramming requests.
- Ensures full compliance of requirements for procurement and supply chain management of health products (including health procurement planning, quality control, insurance), in line with UNDP’s rules, policies, procedures, and ensures SOPs are followed and validated through internal reviews.
- Leads on performing risk-based assessments, including operational, financial, legal, contractual, reputational and safety, and oversees UNDP procurement activities in order to provide access to products and services, prevent stock outs or expiry of health products; develops and implements a risk management plan with the procurement team, other PMU staff and implementing partners in order to ensure adequate oversight and support, with timely incident reporting.
- Supervises and oversees adherence to contractual agreements, recommend amendments and contract extension, evaluate and record supplier’s performance and advise relevant parties with respect to their contractual rights and obligations, including Service Providers and Sub-recipients (SRs).
- Management of importation and customs clearance, central storage and transport contracts
- Coordination with national programs for quantification and distribution Plan
- Management / Monitoring of SR in terms of Distribution and Availability of Health products, and routine reporting
- Management / Monitoring of CDR contracts in terms of Storage and Distribution of health products, and routine reporting
- Supports the audit preparation in the area of procurement and supply management of health products and leads on addressing findings from audits and investigations in the context of procurement and supply chain management (health products) and ensures timely follow up on audit recommendations.
- Supports the development and implementation of an integrated supervision plan (in collaboration with the national disease control programmes, the central medical store, and the department of pharmacies) to monitor the traceability of health products, and the storage conditions, procured under the TGF grants; and
- Ensures the development and the implementation of the UNDP Quality Control Plan, including oversight of quality control activities, in consultation with UNDP’s Quality Assurance Advisor (GFPHST).
Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Leads on the coordination of strategic partnerships, maintains strong working relationships with the Ministry of Health, programme implementers, national stakeholders, technical partners, and UN entities to ensure transparent and effective procurement and supply chain management of health products.
- Ensures strong working relationships with UNDP stakeholders involved in the area of PSM, including WHO, MSF, UNFPA, PEPFAR, USAID and the World Bank, to maximize efficiency of available expertise and funding.
- Represents UNDP in the strategic and operational coordination with donors, national and international partners, regarding national procurement planning processes (including quantification) for the programmes, the provision of health products, and any intervention related to supply chain, planning and implementation of nationwide laboratory equipment strategy.
- Collaborates with national and provincial stakeholders, NGO Sub-Recipients and other PSM partners on supply planning and quantification processes for health products, stock and consumption monitoring and all other aspects related to supply chain management.
- Leads on the representation of UNDP in all coordination initiatives between the national programmes and other health and development partners, to promote effective and proactive information sharing, avoid duplication of procurement of health products, exchange critical technical information and resolve implementation issues.
- Leads on the engagement with the Global Fund Health Product Management (HPM) Specialist and Logistics Expert, and develops a strong professional relationship based on mutual trust and respect and supports during missions; and
- Leads on developing innovative initiatives aimed at improving the PSM situation in country, coordinates the funding requests to complement UNDP’s PR role with other health and development activities, develops the project documents.
Ensures provision of strategic policy advice and technical guidance in the context of procurement and supply chain management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Ensures harmonization and integration of the procurement and supply chain management activities of the projects into the national strategic documents and other donor initiatives.
- Provides strategic policy and technical advice to the national stakeholders, implementing partners at all stages of the procurement cycle and to the last mile;
- Participates in meetings and technical committees of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), national disease programmes, coordinating mechanism, as required; and
- Coordinates planned studies and programme review(s) with the implementing partners, CCM, financial and technical partners, UN entities and the GF.
Ensures PSM related system strengthening activities, including logistic information system, sustainable storage and distribution systems and services for health products guidance and capacity building and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Represent UNDP and leads on the development and implementation of a capacity development and transition plan for PSM activities, training a team of national PSM officers so they can take informed decisions, anticipate tensions, understand the possible existing solutions, get familiar with the international market of medicines and medical products, understand the Global Fund rules and regulations related to PSM activities.
- Leads on the engagement with the Ministry of Health, implementing partners, UN entities, financial and technical partners to strengthen national systems and health institutions, in the area of procurement and supply chain management of health products, including logistics information system, sustainable procurement, storage, distribution, and waste management systems, developing, monitoring and amending improvement plans.
- Leads on the engagement with national partners and oversees the development of capacity development strategies to support national entities in the area of procurement and supply chain management for health products, including logistic information system, sustainable storage and distribution systems, and ensuring access to appropriate tools and resources ensuring coordination with other donor initiatives.
- Ensures regular engagement with national counterparts, sub-recipients and CDRs on procurement planning and supply chain topics to enable effective planning of programme implementation.
- Identifies and supports development of communication materials (print, video) highlighting key programme achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt and contributes to information sharing with the Ministry of Health, implementing partners, CSOs, UN entities, financial and technical partners, the GF and the CCM.
- Actively participates in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote the programmes and UNDP’s health and development work (e.g., conferences, community of practice, Yammer) and represents UNDP in relevant technical meetings, working groups at country, regional and global level and gathers lessons learnt to apply to the programmes in procurement and supply chain management; and
Other Duties:
- The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:
- The Procurement and Supply Management Specialist (Health Products) will supervise 2 PSM Specialist, 1 Laboratory Technician, 1 Lab Technician Assistant and 1 Procurement Specialist. The PSM Specialist will also manage the day-to-day activities of the PSM Specialist in Goma.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Pharmacy is required OR
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Pharmacy, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- CIPS level 2 is a requirement for this position. If certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year.
- Training in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or Public Health is an asset.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
- Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in implementing public health programmes, and public procurement and supply chain management of health products are required.
- Relevant global health experience in developing countries related to health product procurement and supply chain management is required.
- Knowledge and experience in working with the Global Fund in the area of procurement and supply chain management of health products are an asset.
- Knowledge and experience of UN or UNDP procurement policies and procedures is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and managing effective partnerships with governments and other implementing partners in procurement and supply chain management of health products is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience in building capacity of national entities in the area of procurement and supply chain management of health products are an asset.
- Experience in managing people in a complex, high-pressure environment is an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and oral French is required.
- Good working knowledge of English both written and oral is desired.
COMPETENCIES
Core Competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management Competencies:
- UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
Business Development: Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.
Business Development Strategy: Results-based Management
- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Development Strategy: System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Procurement: Contract Management
- Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical solutions.
Procurement: Procurement Management
- The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.
Procurement: Stakeholder Management
- Ability to work with incomplete information and balance competing interests to create value for all stakeholders.
2030 Agenda – People: Health
- Global Fund to fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
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