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UNFPA-Supply Chain Specialist-P3-Damascus, Syria
Damascus, SyriaPosition Title: Supply Chain Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Damascus, Syria
Duration: 6 months
Language: English
R&R: 6 weeks
Under the direct supervision of UNFPA International Operations Manager, the Supply Chain Specialist works in close collaboration with the supply chain unit, SCMU Regional Office and HQ, programme teams and the International Program Coordinator, other agencies and field staff to coordinate overall logistics and supply related support for UNFPA operations and in particular ensure effective management of emergency RH commodities and supplies at the central and sub-national levels (including management systems to record, track and report receipt, storage, refrigeration, transportation and distribution of all UNFPA goods including medical supplies). stakeholders, logsitics working group, logistics cluster and ensure inputs for the IOM, to the global logistics cluster. stakeholders working in relevant sectors, such as Health, WASH, Protection, Logistics etc. to ensure inclusion of commodities specific to UNFPA’s mandate in the overall national humanitarian response plan.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Coordinating the procurement and supply chain related tasks
Reporting
Capacity Development
Any Other Duties
Qualifications and Skills Required:
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Damascus, Syria
Duration: 6 months
Language: English
R&R: 6 weeks
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request (Please provide a short paragraph outlining the prevailing humanitarian situation and context and why this justifies the role.)
The crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is extending into its fourteenth year – with more people than ever sliding into deeper poverty and 16.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. The Syria situation remains one of the largest displacement crises in the world, with a 2025 projection of 7.2 million internally displaced people (IDPs), and 6.2 million refugees, primarily hosted in the neighbouring countries of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye. The Lebanon crisis and subsequent influx into Syria in late September 2024 created a very dynamic situation, with an estimated 557,000 people (63% Syrians) entered into Syria from Lebanon under adverse circumstances as of 21 November 2024.
The recent crisis starting from Aleppo spilled over across Syria. The humanitarian operations have been severely impacted since 6 December, given pervasive insecurity and interruptions to public transportation that have complicated health workers’ ability to report for work. Almost all UNFPA IPs suspended their programmes as of 7 Dec 2024. Medical staff members’ lack of food and severe shortages of emergency supplies have further negatively impacted efforts to treat patients. According to UNOCHA, since the escalation of hostilities on November 28, approximately one million people have been displaced internally. This includes 155,000 people experiencing secondary displacement. The majority of those displaced are women and children, with women and girls comprising nearly 50 percent of those forced to flee their homes. The most affected governorates are Aleppo, with 542,600 displaced persons, followed by Hama (347,100) and Homs (26,000). More than one in five people are being displaced for at least the second time. Significant and growing return movements have also begun to be reported since 7 December.
UNFPA is actively engaged in the inter-agency coordination mechanism (influx from Lebanon) led by UNHCR for coordinating the response both at Damascus and field offices levels (Homs, Tartous and Rural Damascus), and UNOCHA led inter-agency coordination for the current crisis (Aleppo). In the immediate response phase, UNFPA through its implementing partners is escalating its humanitarian response delivering the critical assistance to affected women and girls with female dignity kits, sanitary napkins as well as integrated sexual and reproductive health and Gender Based Violence services. Through existing implementing partners UNFPA will continue providing these critical SRH and GBV services, including MHPSS through Integrated Mobile Team, static clinics, and Women and Girl Friendly Spaces to ensure life saving comprehensive GBV and RH services.
Syria manages a huge volume of Program supplies. The value of commodities issued by Syria CO to MOH and implementing partners in 2023 was USD 3 million. UNFPA Last Mile Assurance (LMA) process requires gaining visibility into how program supplies are managed at each level of the supply chain and given the complexity in terms of the current crises affecting already pre-existing protracted crises of Syria, humanitarian supply chain support will be crucial to ensure Supply Chain visibility and accountability to ensure Integrated SRH and GBV services to women and girls in need.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)
Security level: 4 - Substantial
Category:
Armed Conflict (HIGH)
Terrorism (MODERATE)
Crime (SUBSTANTIAL)
Civil Unrest (LOW)
Hazards (LOW)
Role Description:The crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is extending into its fourteenth year – with more people than ever sliding into deeper poverty and 16.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. The Syria situation remains one of the largest displacement crises in the world, with a 2025 projection of 7.2 million internally displaced people (IDPs), and 6.2 million refugees, primarily hosted in the neighbouring countries of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye. The Lebanon crisis and subsequent influx into Syria in late September 2024 created a very dynamic situation, with an estimated 557,000 people (63% Syrians) entered into Syria from Lebanon under adverse circumstances as of 21 November 2024.
The recent crisis starting from Aleppo spilled over across Syria. The humanitarian operations have been severely impacted since 6 December, given pervasive insecurity and interruptions to public transportation that have complicated health workers’ ability to report for work. Almost all UNFPA IPs suspended their programmes as of 7 Dec 2024. Medical staff members’ lack of food and severe shortages of emergency supplies have further negatively impacted efforts to treat patients. According to UNOCHA, since the escalation of hostilities on November 28, approximately one million people have been displaced internally. This includes 155,000 people experiencing secondary displacement. The majority of those displaced are women and children, with women and girls comprising nearly 50 percent of those forced to flee their homes. The most affected governorates are Aleppo, with 542,600 displaced persons, followed by Hama (347,100) and Homs (26,000). More than one in five people are being displaced for at least the second time. Significant and growing return movements have also begun to be reported since 7 December.
UNFPA is actively engaged in the inter-agency coordination mechanism (influx from Lebanon) led by UNHCR for coordinating the response both at Damascus and field offices levels (Homs, Tartous and Rural Damascus), and UNOCHA led inter-agency coordination for the current crisis (Aleppo). In the immediate response phase, UNFPA through its implementing partners is escalating its humanitarian response delivering the critical assistance to affected women and girls with female dignity kits, sanitary napkins as well as integrated sexual and reproductive health and Gender Based Violence services. Through existing implementing partners UNFPA will continue providing these critical SRH and GBV services, including MHPSS through Integrated Mobile Team, static clinics, and Women and Girl Friendly Spaces to ensure life saving comprehensive GBV and RH services.
Syria manages a huge volume of Program supplies. The value of commodities issued by Syria CO to MOH and implementing partners in 2023 was USD 3 million. UNFPA Last Mile Assurance (LMA) process requires gaining visibility into how program supplies are managed at each level of the supply chain and given the complexity in terms of the current crises affecting already pre-existing protracted crises of Syria, humanitarian supply chain support will be crucial to ensure Supply Chain visibility and accountability to ensure Integrated SRH and GBV services to women and girls in need.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)
Security level: 4 - Substantial
Category:
Armed Conflict (HIGH)
Terrorism (MODERATE)
Crime (SUBSTANTIAL)
Civil Unrest (LOW)
Hazards (LOW)
Under the direct supervision of UNFPA International Operations Manager, the Supply Chain Specialist works in close collaboration with the supply chain unit, SCMU Regional Office and HQ, programme teams and the International Program Coordinator, other agencies and field staff to coordinate overall logistics and supply related support for UNFPA operations and in particular ensure effective management of emergency RH commodities and supplies at the central and sub-national levels (including management systems to record, track and report receipt, storage, refrigeration, transportation and distribution of all UNFPA goods including medical supplies). stakeholders, logsitics working group, logistics cluster and ensure inputs for the IOM, to the global logistics cluster. stakeholders working in relevant sectors, such as Health, WASH, Protection, Logistics etc. to ensure inclusion of commodities specific to UNFPA’s mandate in the overall national humanitarian response plan.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Coordinating the procurement and supply chain related tasks
- Ensure reliable supply/logistics management systems, procedures and documentation are in place as well as regular, accurate reporting to maintain the highest level of integrity, standards and accountability.
- Support the Programme Units, supply planning, demand forecasting, and acting as the conduit procurement specifications, cost, lead time, etc. working with the procurement team and International Operations Manager.
- Support the CO supply/logistics administration by providing advice on supply requirements in the development of the Country Programme.
- Conduct market research, identify and recommend potential local suppliers.
- Maintain data on local supply and evaluate their overall performances (competitive pricing, cost-effectiveness, product quality and timely delivery, etc.).
- Ensure preparation of the supply status reports required for donor reports, programme analysis, annual reports, FTP reports, appeals, etc.
- Supporting the Supply Chain Analyst, with the procurement processes of the country office (solicitation, contracting and contract management) per the applicable procedures of UNFPA.
- Facilitate and coordinate preparation, announcement and processing of tenders
- Lead the review of tenders and prepare submissions for the relevant contract review authorities, including Local Contracts Review Committee and Headquarters CRC.
- Oversee and coordinate establishing PO, Contract for professional contracts and Long Term Agreements, and collaborative procurement activities with other UN agencies;
- Ensure that the financial receipts/ payments are facilitated on a timely basis strictly per the terms established through the relevant Contract/ Purchase Order/ LTAs;
- Ensure that the contracts are properly closed and complete contract files are maintained;
- Collaborating with programme, implementing partners and other UN Agencies, providing technical and advisory support to CO and national systems (overall 30% time)
- Provide advice to the Country Office, Government and implementing partners on international and/or local procurement, delivery and utilization of UNFPA supplies and equipment;
- Cooperate with other UN Agencies in knowledge building and knowledge sharing for suppliers’ database and Assessments.
- Participates actively in inter-agency meetings and working groups to ensure UNFPA interests are reflected in common system activities related to procurement and logistics.
- Participate and represent UNFPA in inter-agency initiatives associated with strategizing the procurement function of the CO, taking the inputs from the programme leads and the programme interests and promoting procurement harmonization among the UN agencies operating in the country.
- Responsible for reporting on collaborative procurement activities.
- The expert will participate in regular field assessments to monitor supply management, stock movement, and storage conditions. She/he will have the skills to mentor and provide training and capacity building to UNFPA staff and partners related to humanitarian supply chain management.
- As appropriate, participate in joint field assessments or undertake UNFPA specific field visits/assessment missions to gain a better understanding of existing logistics infrastructure, warehousing facilities, health facilities and distribution systems.
- Le developing the supply plan based on the UNFPA humanitarian response plan and support in articulating the procurement plan, in collaboration with SCMU
- Lead in the development of the concept of operations for distribution to the last mile based on the humanitarian response plan, linked to the logistics cluster ConOps (where applicable)
- Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the supply plan, procurement plan and distribution of supplies to the last mile
- Mobilize supplies (IARH Kits, Dignity Kits) to the affected areas.
- Identify possible gaps in the logistics pipeline and provide input on how to strengthen the logistics chain (from calculating needs to procurement to actual distribution, monitoring and reporting).
- Develop systems/standard protocols through which the UNFPA CO/Sub-office can operate, manage and forecast its emergency commodity needs (e.g. transportation, warehousing, distribution channels, contingency plans).
- Provide support in projecting future needs for prepositioning (as appropriate) emergency supplies.
- Establish a monitoring mechanism that takes into consideration warehouse capacity, access, utilization rate, coverage and distribution to track and monitor emergency IARH kits and commodities.
- In collaboration with the humanitarian or SRH focal point, identify technical capacity of health facilities and personnel to utilize emergency IARH kits.
- Undertake monitoring visits to ensure proper storage, distribution, and utilization of emergency RH supplies, and establish mechanism for continuous monitoring by relevant program teams;
- Establish tracking mechanism for the receipt and distribution of all RH commodities and supplies, to be used by the RH Program Analyst
- Liaise with humanitarian stakeholders working in relevant sectors/Clusters, such as Health, WASH, Protection, Logistics, etc. to ensure inclusion of commodities specific to UNFPA’s mandate into the national humanitarian response plan.
- Establish partnerships with agencies that have broader logistics capacity than UNFPA (WFP, UNICEF, etc.) in order to facilitate movement of UNFPA commodities.
Reporting
- Provide regular updates on UNFPA RH commodities and supplies management for inclusion in donor reports, OCHA SitReps and other reports as required.
Capacity Development
- Provide coaching to newly recruited staff and consultants, where appropriate.
- Coach and build capacity of staff members and staff of implementing partners responding to crisis, as appropriate.
Any Other Duties
- Perform any other duties as required by the Representative and/or Head of Office.
Qualifications and Skills Required:
- Advanced degree in logistics management or equivalent relevant professional certification in areas such as transport, distribution and supply chain management.
- Degree in public health, medicine or pharmacy preferable
- 5-7 years of relevant experience in logistics and supply chain management.
- Managing medical supplies distribution, storage, transportation operations in emergency settings (military, commercial or with an international organization).
- Experience and knowledge of UN systems, especially UNFPA, is an advantage.
- Experience in challenging and complex humanitarian/emergency setting
- Good knowledge of humanitarian response.
- Proficiency in English and in other official languages or the UN required/desirable.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.