OVERVIEW

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

Reporting to the Deputy Representative Operations, you will lead UNICEF's end-to-end supply chain operations, ensuring the timely, efficient and accountable delivery of goods, services and construction works that enable programme results for children. You will oversee supply planning, procurement, contracting, customs clearance, warehousing, inventory management, logistics, and distribution in line with UNICEF policies and ethical standards. You will manage and develop the supply team, foster strong internal and external collaboration, and provide strategic technical support to governments to strengthen national supply chain systems.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contract management, supply chain management, warehouse management, customs clearance, vendor management, transportation, emergency logistics, public procurement or another related field.

Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge of end-to-end supply chain management, including procurement, contracting, logistics, warehousing, inventory management, customs clearance and distribution.
• Ability to apply institutional supply, procurement and financial rules, ethical standards, risk management principles and internal controls to ensure compliant and accountable delivery.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to assess supply chain risks, identify bottlenecks, develop mitigation measures and improve value for money.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise and develop teams, manage performance, and foster collaboration across programme, operations, government, supplier and partner stakeholders.
• Strong communication, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills, including the ability to resolve misunderstandings constructively and influence decisions in complex operating environments.
• Ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement, including practical use of digital tools and emerging technologies to strengthen supply chain efficiency, transparency and timeliness.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead UNICEF's end-to-end supply chain operations, ensuring the timely, efficient and accountable delivery of goods, services and construction works that advance results for children.
• Oversee supply planning, procurement, contracting, customs clearance, warehousing, inventory management, logistics, and distribution in line with UNICEF policies and ethical standards.
• Manage and develop the supply team, foster strong internal and external collaboration, and provide strategic technical support to governments to strengthen national supply chain systems.
• Drive innovation, promote local market development, and enhance supply chain performance to improve efficiency and value for money.
• In emergencies, lead logistics preparedness and response by developing operational strategies, coordinating with key partners, and ensuring business continuity.
• Strengthen operational resilience, mitigate supply chain risks, and directly contribute to achieving impactful and sustainable results for children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Desirables:

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating with suppliers, service providers, government counterparts or partners to secure timely, cost-effective and compliant delivery.
• Experience applying a child-focused lens to supply chain decisions.
• Experience using supply chain data, digital platforms or performance dashboards to monitor delivery, identify risks and bottlenecks.
• Experience working in emergency, fragile, landlocked or resource-constrained operating contexts.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in end-to-end supply chain operations.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

FOR EVERY CHILD, YOU DEMONSTRATE…

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it.

UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

1. Builds and maintains partnerships
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
3. Drive to achieve results for impact
4. Innovates and embraces change
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity
6. Thinks and acts strategically
7. Works collaboratively with others
8. Nurtures, leads and manages people

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this job, please visit: jobs.unicef.org

Application Deadline: 31st August 2026