Current vacancies

 

Stretch Assignment: Cotonou, Benin Office - Onsite

Title: Supply Officer –– Cotonou – Benin – WCAR - Onsite

Level: NOA/ P1

We encourage staff from all levels with the relevant experience to apply

Reports to: Supply Specialist

Duration:3 months

Section: Operations Section, Cotonou Office

Location: Cotonou City, Benin

Dates/Duration: Stretch assignment from 01^st November 2025 to 31^st January 2026

Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.

 

Background

Purpose of the Position

Under the guidance of the Supply Specialist, the Supply Officer performs highly skilled work on UNICEF supply chains, and manages the more complex cases and client requests, which frequently requires the evaluation of difficult situations and adaptation of procedures and processes to resolve such cases. This is the senior GS level for specialized supply chain work and requires advanced specialized knowledge acquired through formal training and experience.

The Supply Officer will specifically manage goods contracting and will support the Supply Officer for other tasks if necessary.

 

Duration

This stretch assignment will be for a period of three months.

 

Key expected results

Procurement/Contracting

 

• Provide input to and advice on the annual supply plan. Conduct data review and analysis for category management and development of procurement strategies. In collaboration with supervisor, develop procurement management strategies and best practices which help to strengthen supply chain systems which significantly contributes to Programme results. Conduct market research in relevant areas for UNICEF and advice on best approaches to obtain best value for money and sustainable procurement. Support product innovation and market shaping initiatives for specific categories of supplies and services.
• Liaise with clients in planning procurement and contracting initiatives, supporting development of appropriate specifications, terms of reference, and logistics arrangements and timelines. Identify opportunities to strengthen sustainability of supply chains.
• Ensure establishment of Long-Term Arrangements (LTAs) and act on specific procurement requisitions as might be required. In consultation with supervisor, review and provide inputs on Terms of References for service contracting and specifications for goods.  Review technical evaluations to ensure equal assessment of suppliers and that scores are commensurate with comments. Prepare and process Request for Quotations (RFQs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), as might be requested by the Supervisor. Organize bid openings and conduct technical and financial analysis of offers as might be required, as well as coordinate sample evaluations and supplier sites inspections. Conduct pre-bid meetings, clarifications and negotiations with suppliers and contractors. Maintain highest level of integrity, ethical standards and accountability in the procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction work. Support potential suppliers to register through the United Nations Market Place platform (UNGM).
• Prepare requests for award including submissions to Contract Review Committee. Prepare purchase orders and Institutional Services contracts in SAP (ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning system), and submit for relevant approvals, ensuring completeness of documentation in UNICEF systems.
• Keep stakeholders/partners informed on the progress. Liaise with suppliers and contractors, ensuring timely follow-up on delivery schedules and coordinate quality assurance inspections. Implement appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews. Monitor expiry of contracts and take timely action for renewal and/or closure.
• Ensure appropriate filing of procurement cases and maintain up to date records for future reference including for audit.
• Prepare procurement and supply reports (open SO, PR and Institutional Services Contracts), goods and services delivery reports. Conduct procurement analysis and provide inputs to reporting to management and programme colleagues on procurement status, timelines, trends and KPIs.
• In collaboration with supervisor, Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, provide input to help ensure knowledge exchange and learning is prioritized to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team. Develop and facilitate training of newcomers, establish processes or manuals to support effective workflows.

 

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

 

_{QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE}

 

1. Education

First university in  supply chain, logistics, business administration, contract/commercial law, social sciences or another relevant technical field.

 

2. Work Experience

A minimum of one year of progressively responsible experience in supply chain management or a commercial context is required. Understanding of development and humanitarian work is an advantage. Specialized in Goods contracting would be appreciate.

 

3. Languages

Fluency in French and working knowledge of English are required

 

 Competency areas

 

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drive to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

 

 

Release Arrangements:

If selected for this opportunity, the relevant staff member will remain on their existing post for the duration of the stretch assignment. Upon completion of the stretch assignment, the staff member will return to their respective post. Thus, no changes will be made to staff member’s existing status (post number, etc., will all remain as is). the releasing office will continue to cover his/her full salary.

Once the selection process has been completed, the receiving and releasing offices will communicate to reach an agreement on the start date for the recommended staff member.

 

Travel and Funding:

Benin Country Office will pay for economy class round trip and the DSA. Entitlement Conditions: Airfare (economy class) + terminal expenses + 50% of the UN DSA rate for the entire period (2 months).

Since the staff member retains his/her current position, no changes will be made to the staff member’s employment status (e.g. post number, remuneration, etc.).

 

Interested UNICEF staff should discuss this opportunity with their supervisor and seek the approval of their management before applying.

Candidates considered potentially well-matched for the stretch assignment will be contacted for an informal interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.

 

Application Process:

To be eligible to apply, you should have:

• An existing Fixed-Term, Permanent, or Continuing appointment with UNICEF that runs through the duration of the assignment.
• An approval from your supervisor endorsed by the Head of Office.
• Two most recent PERs with a minimum of Solid achievements or Successful Performance

Upon receipt of your supervisor’s agreement, please submit through TMS your application and attach the following documentation:

• Cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for the stretch and the preferred period for the stretch,
• Current CV / eprofile
• Your last two PERs
• A signed approval letter from your supervisor endorsed by the Head of Office.