Mission and objectivesUNHCR's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. In its efforts to achieve this objective, UNHCR strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, and to return home voluntarily.
ContextThe UN Volunteer supports all activities pertaining to supply chain management function, including planning, procurement, transportation, shipping, customs clearance, asset management, warehousing, and fleet management in responsibility. The UN Volunteer applies UNHCR procurement strategy when planning the procurement of goods and services for humanitarian assistance operations. He (she) analyses issues relating to procurement activities and provides information on all procurement activities as well as guidance and advice on UNHCR procurement policies and procedures. The incumbent is supervised by a Head of Field Office and receives regular guidance and instructions from the supervisor on successive steps. S/he works independently on routine tasks while following instructions of the supervisor on more complex issues. The incumbent may have contacts on a working level on specific issues with other UNHCR offices, UN agencies, NGOs, government partners and commercial contractors in the area to facilitate performing the supply function. The duty of the incumbent is to support the management of material resources within the geographical area covered while exercising efficiency in the use of those resources. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRโs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of the Office in the office, the UNV Supply Assistant will: โข Support warehouse management, assist the process of the custom clearance of consignments, draft exemption requests, assist with goods & services deliveries and provide information on the status of requests and the availability of items in the supply chain. โข Assist in maintaining accurate and comprehensive records on supply activities and provide reports and updates periodically, and on request. โข Assist in the preparation of purchase requests. โข Prepare quotation requests and tenders, produce bid-tabulations from tenders, and prepare purchase orders for approval as per instructions of senior Supply staff or other line managers. โข Dispatch approved Purchase Orders, and follow-up with the delivery of ordered commodities and services. โข Produce standard asset management reports and other asset information, periodically and when requested. โข Identify and assess vendors based on their capability for delivering commodities and services. Maintain vendor and item master databases. โข Maintain accurate data in all relevant business systems. Compile statistical information on supply chain related matters that will assist in decision making. โข Ensure local liaison to effectively support the supply activities. โข Assist in the management of the storage of goods according to \"best practices\" and UNHCR rules and regulations. โข Assist in managing Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) effectively according to UNHCR rules and regulation including registration and marking of new PPE, physical verification of PPE, preparation of agreements and disposal forms (including submissions to LAMB/AMB), and assistance with disposal of PPE. โข Perform other related duties as required. Results/expected outputs: As an active UNHCR 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: โข Timely Procurement and Sourcing Support โข Accurate Inventory and Warehouse Management โข Efficient Delivery and Distribution of Core Relief Items (CRIs) โข Strengthened Vendor, Partner, and Contractor Coordination โข Compliance With UNHCR Rules, SOPs, and Audit Requirements โข Contribution to Operational Planning and Forecasting โข High-Quality Client Service and Internal Support โข Promotion of a Safe, Respectful, and Collaborative Work Environment
Competencies and valuesโข 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; โข 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 organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. โข 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; โข 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. โข 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. โข 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; โข 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. โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCRโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksSince roughly 3 decades, the number of inhabitants has increased significantly in Bukavu, due to immigration from rural areas, business opportunities, and spatial planning problems in the surrounding areas of the city where people have no access to water, electricity, and roads. According to current estimates, Bukavu has more than one million residents and it is one of the most populated cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The above-mentioned demographic explosion was not accompanied by the enlargement of the city and therefore resulted to poor and insecure housing and infrastructure, problems related to housing conditions and tenure insecurity in the city. However, medical facilities are available in Bukavu, but urgent medical conditions are mostly referred to Goma (North Kivu). Therefore, candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. As a general advice, applicants for the post should be psychologically prepared for the aforementioned context. Banking facilities are available; there also is an unlimited access to communication means, such as internet, telephone sim cards etc. The Office is also equipped with PAMA. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.