Job: Cold Chain & Logistics, (Generic Vacancy Announcement)

Location: New York
Closing Date: Friday, 21 February 2014

Purpose of the Position

The world is the closest it's ever been to eradicating a disease for only the second time in history. Help UNICEF reach the final 0.1% of the world's children, and eradicate polio forever! Our success in eradicating disease is only as effective as our ability to deliver potent, safe vaccines for children. If you have a background in cold chain logistics, vaccine management, epidemiology or public health, you will find a role with UNICEF's Global Polio Eradication Initiative very rewarding. We are searching for candidates to fill short and long term opportunities in our fight to eradicate this disease. Help us lead the global community to provide technical guidance for vaccine management, for polio vaccine and routine immunization antigens. In these roles, you will:

1. Reinforce the capacity of the UNICEF partners and Country Offices on cold chain and vaccine management;
2. Ensure incorporation of cold chain and logistic components in national plans and proposals and development/update of national strategies, tool and guidance on CCL policies and procedures;
3. Work with UNICEF country offices to support national systems to meet minimum standards in relation to:
   • equipment used in the ccl system;
   • temperature monitoring;
   • transport of vaccine;
   • stock management and optimize vaccine wastage;

Key Expected Results

• Provide appropriate technical support to countries to undertake the Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessment, to develop and implement the EVM-based improvement plan and to organize quality inventories and their follow up.
• Identify country operational weaknesses in the field of Cold Chain and Vaccine management and opportunities for capacity building. Develop training activities specific to cold chain and vaccines management for the region, national and other partners, country offices.
• Provide leadership, technical advice and guidance to Country Offices, Government counterparts and Partners on strategic and operational planning, to integrate of cold chain and logistic components into national plans and proposals and development/update of national strategies, tool and guidance on CCL policies and procedures integration.
• Monitor the Cold chain and logistic procurement services (PS) and provide feedback to Country Offices and PS/Copenhagen on the appropriateness of cold chain equipment specifications and delivery. Contribute to the CCL component of the EPI reviews.
• Develop and support the regional network of cold chain and logistic partners at regional level.
• Participate in the preparation of all programme report for management, donors, programme analysis, annual reports etc.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Advanced University Degree in Supply chain management or Public Health, or other academic qualifications in similar areas, and relevant experience.* A first university degree with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• At least five years of practical experience in managing complex and large Cold chain and vaccine management operations involving planning, organizing, implementing and advisory support.
• Varied logistics management experience in UNICEF or related field
• Relevant experience in capacity building with specific proven experience in training.
• Fluency in English and French is required.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

• Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
• Has effective leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
• Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
• Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.
• Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.
• Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

More Info and Application