The Position:

The consultancy aims to support the Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), specifically the Logistics Management Services (LMS) team, in developing and implementing UNFPA’s stock management strategy. The consultant will contribute to strengthening global stock management practices through evidence-based approaches, advanced data analytics, and process optimization. This work will ensure that UNFPA’s prepositioned and programme stock strategies are aligned with organizational priorities, responsive to partner needs, and enhance end-to-end supply chain visibility and efficiency. The consultant will provide technical expertise in stock strategy design, business process mapping and documentation, data-driven decision-making, and performance monitoring. By doing so, the consultant will enable LMS and SCMU to enhance operational readiness methodologies and tools, optimize stock levels, and support accountability to donors, partners, and beneficiaries.

The consultant will work under the guidance of the Logistics Management Services Manager and in close collaboration with the Stock Management Team Lead, procurement teams, regional and country offices, and external partners.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

The UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) is self-funded and was made operational in January 2022. It is tasked with ensuring that UNFPA is able to effectively and efficiently support the delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and other programme supplies to the end user when and where they are needed. To achieve this, it is important to strengthen the capacity of governments and implementing partners to ensure coordination, end-to-end visibility and accountability on all supply chain and logistics management related activities, in particular for programme supplies, across all UNFPA programmes.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

You would be responsible for:

A. Stock Strategy Development support & Implementation

• Support the design, rollout, and monitoring of UNFPA’s global stock management strategy, covering prepositioned, programme, and supplier-held stocks.
• Contribute to aligning stock strategies with organizational priorities (development, humanitarian response, and transition contexts).
• Develop implementation roadmaps, KPIs, and monitoring frameworks for stock-related initiatives.
• Draft technical guidance, SOPs, and tools to operationalize stock management strategies at global, regional, and country levels.

B. Data Analytics & Performance Monitoring

• Lead data collection, consolidation, and analysis of stock-related data from ERP, 3PLs, and country offices.
• Develop stock dashboards, reports, and forecasting models to improve visibility and decision-making.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses and methodologies to assess stock levels, utilization trends, replenishment cycles, and risk exposure.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations on optimization opportunities, including demand planning, buffer stock levels, and allocation mechanisms.

C. Business Process Improvement & Digitalization

• Map and review existing stock management processes and propose improvements in alignment with digitalization efforts.
• Support the integration of stock data into ERP systems, logistics visibility platforms, and other digital tools.
• Contribute to business transformation initiatives by identifying opportunities for automation, process efficiency, and better data governance.

D. Capacity Strengthening & Knowledge Sharing

• Develop training materials, presentations, and knowledge products on stock management and data analytics.
• Support capacity-building initiatives for regional and country office staff on stock strategy and data use for decision-making.
• Document lessons learned, case studies, and best practices to inform continuous improvement.

E. Coordination & Advisory

• Collaborate with SCMU colleagues, other HQ divisions, regional and country offices, and external partners to ensure coherence and buy-in for stock strategy implementation.
• Contribute to donor and partner reporting by providing strategic inputs on stock-related performance and results.
   

Qualifications and Experience

Education:  

• Advanced university degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Inventory and Replenishment Planning, Demand and Supply Planning, International Commerce/Trade, or equivalent. 
• A certification such as CIPS Level 2 and/or CILT at intermediate qualification (Level 3) is an additional asset. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain, logistics, or inventory management at the global or regional level, preferably in the public health, humanitarian, or development sector. 
• Demonstrated expertise in global inventory management, including stock optimization, buffer stock planning, replenishment cycles, and inventory risk management. 
• Strong experience in supply and demand planning, including forecasting methodologies, consumption-based planning, and alignment of supply strategies with programme needs. 
• Proven ability to apply data analytics and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Excel advanced functions, SQL or similar) to monitor stock performance, identify trends, and generate actionable insights for decision-making. 
• Hands-on experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and logistics visibility platforms, with the ability to extract, clean, and analyze large datasets. 
• Knowledge of supply chain performance metrics and KPIs (e.g., stockout rates, service levels, lead times, order fulfillment, inventory turnover) and experience in developing dashboards or reports to track them. 
• Familiarity with business process improvement and digitalization projects in supply chain or logistics operations. 
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and engaging with diverse stakeholders (procurement, finance, logistics service providers, regional/country offices, and donors). 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, user-friendly reports and presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Languages: 

•  Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of any other UN official languages is an asset. 
   

Required Competencies

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Organizational skills 
• Planning, organizing, and multi-tasking 
• Achieving results 
• Being accountable 
• Thinking analytically and strategically 
• Performance management 
• Commitment to excellence 
• Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.