Supply Chain Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members, UNRWA operates across five areas of operation, focusing on delivering essential services and support to one of the most vulnerable communities in the world. The agency is committed to helping Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development despite the challenging circumstances they face. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. The organization aims to create a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect, emphasizing gender parity and the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its staffing.

Job Overview:
The Supply Chain Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of procurement plans in collaboration with Field Offices. This position requires close coordination with the Chief of the Central Support Division, the Head of the Procurement Section, and the Policy Compliance Monitoring Unit. The specialist is responsible for ensuring that procurement processes meet established performance standards and schedules, providing technical advice on logistics, customs clearance, and inventory management. The role also involves conducting training for staff, developing tools for monitoring supply chain KPIs, and addressing compliance issues. The specialist will be expected to provide operational support during emergencies, ensuring efficient resource distribution and logistical management in challenging environments. This position is vital for enhancing the effectiveness of UNRWA's supply chain operations and ensuring compliance with procurement procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the planning and implementation of annual procurement plans with Field Offices, conducting mid-year reviews and communicating necessary corrective actions.
• Monitor procurement processing KPIs and quality of work, ensuring results are achieved according to schedule.
• Provide technical advice on specifications, logistics arrangements, customs clearance, and inventory management.
• Coordinate stocktake exercises with Field Offices and provide necessary technical support.
• Analyze supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, proposing improvements to enhance efficiency.
• Develop tools to monitor supply management KPIs and propose initiatives for automation and compliance enhancement.
• Address open audit recommendations and ensure compliance with procurement procedures.
• Act as secretary to the Vendor Review Committee, ensuring adherence to vendor management processes.
• Provide operational support on inventory, fleet, and fuel management to optimize resource use. 1
• Conduct training for staff on supply emergency procedures and promote knowledge sharing. 1
• Prepare high-quality data analysis and management reports related to supply chain functions. 1
• Support Field Offices during emergencies by executing rapid procurement and logistics processes. 1
• Conduct support missions to Field Offices to provide technical assistance in supply chain management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in procurement and supply chain management, logistics, inventory management, or a related field. A Supply Chain Qualifications Diploma in Data Analysis and other monitoring tools is also required. Candidates should have a strong understanding of supply chain management principles and practices, as well as experience in developing and implementing supply chain strategies.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in procurement and supply chain management, logistics, inventory management, or a related field is required. Additionally, a Supply Chain Qualifications Diploma in Data Analysis and other monitoring tools is necessary for this position.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in logistics and supply chain management, with a minimum of two years directly related to emergency logistics. Relevant international experience outside UNRWA and the candidate's country of citizenship is required unless the candidate is already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System. Experience in overseeing supply chain activities at the international level for intergovernmental or large multinational organizations is desirable, along with familiarity with data monitoring and information management tools such as Power BI.

Languages:
Excellent command of spoken and written English is mandatory. Proficiency in Arabic is considered an advantage, enhancing communication capabilities within the diverse operational context of UNRWA.

Additional Notes:
This position is a UN Regular Budget post with a contract duration of 2 years, subject to extension based on performance and organizational needs. The recruitment process emphasizes the importance of neutrality, integrity, and respect for human rights. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. All applications must be submitted in English through UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and late applications will not be considered. The agency does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.