Consultant for Inventory Control and Accounting

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The organization is committed to addressing the needs of women and girls, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and aims to achieve transformative results by 2030, including ending preventable maternal deaths and gender-based violence. UNFPA's Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) was made operational in January 2022 and is self-funded, tasked with ensuring effective delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and supplies.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is situated within the Inventory Control and Accounting team, which is part of the Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) at UNFPA. This role is crucial for managing the scoping, testing, and deployment of a new country office management solution aimed at enhancing compliance with the Policy and Procedures on Management of Programme Supplies. The consultant will oversee the project management and coordination of the new inventory management solution, ensuring that it aligns with UNFPA's strategic goals and operational requirements. The position requires a proactive approach to stakeholder coordination, project planning, and documentation, with a focus on maintaining high standards of accuracy and completeness in inventory records. The consultant will report to the Inventory Control and Accounting Team Lead and will play a key role in the successful rollout of the new system across global country offices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties including:

• Project Management and Governance: Develop and maintain a detailed project plan, coordinate with stakeholders, and prepare regular status reports.
• Scoping and Documentation: Conduct business process mapping, draft project documentation, and perform gap analysis between legacy systems and the new solution.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Validation: Design UAT frameworks, oversee testing sessions, and ensure data validation during the migration process.
• Rollout Coordination and Training Materials: Implement a phased rollout plan, create user manuals and training materials, and provide support during the 'Go-Live' phase.
• Post-Implementation Review and Compliance: Conduct compliance audits and gather user feedback for continuous improvement of the system.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in Supply Chain Management, Information Systems, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience with ERP systems and Business Intelligence tools is required, particularly in functional scoping, system testing, or software rollout projects. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure are essential. Excellent writing and communication skills are also necessary for drafting technical documentation and training materials.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Supply Chain Management, Information Systems, Finance, or Business Administration is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of inventory management and the technical aspects of ERP systems.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of relevant experience, particularly in the context of ERP systems and Business Intelligence tools. Candidates should have a proven track record in project management, functional scoping, and system testing, with experience in providing technical support to decentralized country offices. The ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines is also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of any UN language is considered an advantage, enhancing communication and collaboration within the international context of UNFPA's operations.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role, and while the specific contract duration is not mentioned, it is implied that the consultant will be engaged for the duration of the project phases outlined. The role is full-time and may involve international collaboration, requiring flexibility in working hours to accommodate different time zones. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and persons with disabilities. The organization emphasizes gender parity and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.