Associate Supply Officer – UNV Jobs in Niger

• Location: Niamey, Niger
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: UNV
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-04-05
  

Details
Mission and objectives
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assem-bly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.

The UN Refugee Agency in Niger acting within its mandate of protecting persons in need of international protection, and in partnership with the Government of Niger has established the Evacuation Transit Mechanism (ETM). The mechanism aims at evacuating persons of con-cern with acute protection needs from Libya to Niger, where they undergo RSD and are di-rected to appropriate durable solutions. Most of these evacuees come from Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia and are victims of severe human rights violations during their journey.

Context
Niger host to a total population of 701,255 persons of concern to UNHCR as of 31 January 2023. This population is mainly composed of 302,055 refugees and asylum seekers, 361,593 internally displaced persons, and 37,606 Nigerien returnees. These populations are mainly distributed in six regions and grouped into three situations: the Lake Chad Basin situation with Nigerian refugees in the regions of Diffa, Maradi and recently in Tahoua, the Sahel situation with Malian refugees in the regions of Tahoua and Tillabéri, the Urban situation with refugees and asylum seekers in Niamey, including the evacuees from Libya to Niamey by humanitarian flights (Emergency Transit Mechanism – ETM), and the mixed migration where we have refugees and asylum seekers in Agadez region.
Since September 2018, non-state armed groups killings, looting and kidnappings in Nigeria’s North-Western states has forced thousands of people to seek refuge in Maradi region, Niger. They were 23 000 in April 2020 only. The total number of biometrically registered and un-registered refugees in the region exceeds 63 000. In addition, repeated incursions of non-state armed groups in Niger have triggered the internal displacement of over 19,000 people. Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the region registered its first death on 7 May 2020. In total, only four cases have been confirmed. Maradi hospital has received its first testing unit. In September 2019, UNHCR opened a sub-office in Maradi to coordinate registration, protection, education, health, housing and access to WASH services. A key feature of the UNHCR response is the relocation of refugees to villages of opportunity away from the border, to ensure their safety and ease the pressure on host populations. This program also contributes to the development of rural areas which lack basic infrastructure and services, in line with the humanitarian-development nexus.
The Maradi Sub-Office provides protection and assistance to Nigerian refugees and Nigerien IDPs, through respectively an integrated services approach aimed at promoting the autonomy of persons of concern, the policy of alternatives to camps and a humanitarian coordination mechanism where UNHCR is leading two clusters (Protection, refugee Coordination). It operates, with the support of the National Commission for Eligibility of Refugees Status (CNE) and implementing partners, in 3 refugee opportunity villages (Chadacori, Garin Kaka and Dandadji Makaou). Most of the refugees’ populations (80 074) living in host communities along the border who face significant security problems.
Statistics as 31 December 2023 show 80,074 refugees and asylum seekers in Guidan Roumdji and Madarounfa.

Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Sub-Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Supply Officer will undertake the following tasks:

Strategy:
• Prepare plans for sourcing of relief items and services according to operational needs,
• Establish cooperation with operational and implementing partners to ensure that supply and support activities are coordinated and integrated appropriately

Operational Support:
• Apply UNHCR’s procurement strategy when planning for purchase of important commodities and services;
• Assist in all activities pertaining to the procurement function within his/her area of responsibility in line with UNHCR procedures;
• Evaluate purchase requisitions to ensure that specifications, delivery dates and all other requirements are in order;
• Draft and dispatch quotation requests and/or tenders, assist in the evaluation of offers and draft bid-tabulations, and the selection of suitable suppliers and prepare proposals for award of contracts to the Committee on Contracts;
• Prepare Purchase Orders, confirmations, requests for inspection and other correspondence;
• Maintain and update the roster of UNHCR suppliers;
• Monitor the manufacture/transport of ordered goods to ensure timely delivery;
• Analyze matters relating to procurement activities, and provide timely information on all procurement activities within area of responsibility;
• Provide guidance and advice on UNHCR procurement policies and procedures to support and assist requesting sections;

Infrastructure Support:
• Identify partners for supply chain projects based on objectives, priorities, strengths and resources of the implementing partner and/or contractor, according to criteria consistent with UNHCR rules and regulations;
• Analyze the quality of commodities and services delivered in line with the needs of the location and agreed standard of quality.
• Establish a local quality assurance process.

Business Support:
• Analyze the existing supply infrastructure and ensure that it is optimally aligned with the operational needs.
• Implement practical projects to improve supply performance that has clear objectives, timescales, tasks and resources defined.
• Monitor the project implementation and report on the progress.
• Monitor the quality and accuracy of supply chain related data in relevant business systems. Compile and analyze statistical information, identify trends and developments in supply chain related matters that will assist in decision-making.
• Promote commitment to and monitor compliance with UNHCR’s global policies, standards and guidance on supply chain management.
• Ensure effective information flow in the supply chain and adapt local process to the prevailing environment.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

– Results/expected outputs

• As an active UNHCR’s team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
o UNHCR delivers timely and quality goods and services to persons of concern in compliance with supply chain rules and procedures.
o The local supply chain function is optimised and aligned with the operations’ evolving needs and management systems and has an infrastructure that is robust and flexible enough to accommodate operational requirements.
o Supply chain activities are supported by effective partners.
o The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs).
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in
• At least 2 years of relevant professional job experience preferable in public procurement
• Public or UN Procurement training
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Area(s) of expertise
Crisis and emergency response, Crisis and emergency response, Security and protection

Driving license
–

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Desirable
French, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant area, e.g., Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, Logistics, Mathematics or a related field.

Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Maradi is located in the central southern part of Niger Republic and shares a long border strip with Nigeria Republic, in particular the states of Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina. With an area of 41,796 km2, the population is estimated of 4,694,0412 persons.
Maradi is the Economic Capital of Niger Republic because of the importance of commercial transactions between Nigeria and the other neighboring regions.
The duty station rated E family where accommodations are available although finding reasonable quality accommodation starting to become a challenge and price arising. Housing conditions are becoming more difficult due to untimely power cuts, and the very high price of rent including advances of 3 to 4 months to be paid before integrating a house. In general, terms Niger’s climate could be described as hot, dry and dusty. Three main seasons characterized the climate in Niger this is due to the country geography and position, which is close to the equator. The cool season started from October to February, during this time the day temperatures are around 30 °C.
There are a several supermarkets where local and foreign goods are available and the communication by the mobile telephony is acceptable and allows to join the staffs.

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds

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